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The perfect winter setting: Deep snow, stars bright above, and a cosy log cabin in the forest.
If you thought exploring the Jasper backcountry this winter would be too much of a challenge, think again.
Parks Canada and the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) have opened Jacques Lake Cabin for the winter - and it is much more accessible than Jasper’s other backcountry cabins.
From the Medicine Lake turnoff, the cabin is a 12 kilometre ski or snowshoe trip along a relatively flat trail with very little elevation at 250 metres.
Keith Haberl, marketing and communications manager for the ACC, said: “We hope people see that area and fall in love with it and become more aware of the Alpine Club of Canada and visit other places.
“We hope people take up healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles, those things that drive our organization, and just go out and have great rewarding experiences in the backcountry.”
This is the club’s fifth cabin in Jasper, with huts already running in the Tonquin Valley, Fryatt Valley, at Mount Colin and Mount Alberta.
Parks Canada’s backcountry operations in Jasper National Park have changed over the years, reducing the frequency of use of patrol cabins, such as Jacques Lake. These cabins are valued for their cultural associations with the historical management of the park.
And the Jacques Lake Cabin was identified as a viable option to be used for public enjoyment as it is not required for operations during the winter months.
Parks Canada communications officer Steve Young said in a press release: “Jasper’s backcountry users are looking for easier, introductory experiences to connect with nature in ways they are comfortable with.
“Providing visitors with rustic, small roofed accommodation options in the backcountry will allow them to build more meaningful connections with the park and nature.”
Haberl said the ACC and Parks Canada’s mandates coincide “a great deal”, including the use of backcountry areas and encouraging people to get out to explore the backcountry.
“It’s a way to enjoy the wilderness and introduce more people to the backcountry,” said Haberl.
“We believe people who know the backcountry and the mountains, love these areas because they have a personal connection to them, are the people who will help protect them.”
Jacques Lakes Cabin is open for bookings from December 15 and reservations are already open. Visit www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/huts for more information.
