Wax up your skis or strap on some snowshoes: Jasper is the place for winter adventure
Jasper National Park provides exceptional options for winter fun. This winter, two dedicated trail groomers have already begun preparing and maintaining almost 60 kilometres of trail for skate skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
New this year, the snowy Decoigne area in the west end of the park will feature classic and skate ski trails for novice and intermediate skiers. Nearly 20 kilometres of trails will be offered in two groomed loops east and west of the parking area. A new warming hut will keep adventurers toasty while waxing skis or taking a break, and a group fire pit (complete with firewood) is available for further relaxation and marshmallow toasting. Meander through open meadows and along historic railway beds on the tracked trails, or take advantage of the many opportunities to explore off trail to make your own discoveries by ski or snowshoe.
In addition to the new Decoigne trails, Parks Canada staff will also maintain trails available in past years. After snowfalls, groomers will first focus on track setting the high priority trails of:
- Whistlers Campground (skate and classic loops in the east half of the campground; washroom renovations are underway in the west end)
- Whirlpool/ Leach Lake
- Pyramid Fire Road
Once high priorities trails are complete, groomers will work on:
- Pipeline
- Wabasso Campground
- Geraldine Fire Road
- Cavell Road, which opens for skiing Feb. 16
Dogs are welcome on the Pipeline, Wabasso Campground, Whirlpool, Pyramid Fire Road and Cavell Road trails. Please remember to keep your pets on-leash and clean up after them.
For those who prefer to strap on snowshoes, signs will guide users along the best trails on Pyramid Bench, the trek to Big Bend campground and along the Fortress Lake trail.
For Jasper’s trail report, visit www.pc.gc.ca/jaspertrails.
Wildlife corridors important in winter, too
Through the Jasper Trails Project (2006-2009), the community and park identified the official trail system and key wildlife corridors. Part of this project focused on setting aside space for wildlife and identifying prime/sensitive wildlife habitat.
In October 2012, the Pyramid, Signal and Maligne priority wildlife corridors were closed to all human use, enabling particularly wary animals to travel between valleys and obtain needed food, shelter and mates. It’s easy to forget about these corridors in the off-season, but they are just as important in winter and remain closed year-round.
