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Parks Canada photos
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Rogier Gruys
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Snowshoeing on Whistlers Summit, Jasper National Park
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['Rogier Gruys', 'BluePeak Travel Photography'] © Rogier Gruys, Bluepeak Trave
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Nicole Gaboury
By Crystal McNutt
Jasper National Park is one of Canada’s oldest and largest national parks. Established in 1907, it is rich in culture and history with an abundance of opportunity for fun. It is also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a world class destination, Jasper attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Although the summer season is when the park sees the vast majority of its visitation, winter in Jasper is becoming more popular each year.
Just because the snow is falling and the air is cooler doesn’t mean camping season is over in Jasper. Wapiti self-reg campground is open to winter campers on a first-come, first-serve basis from mid-October until early May. There are 40 electrical sites as well as 53 unserviced sites. Seasoned campers who would like to stay in the Columbia icefield area can obtain a bivy permit and tent at the Wilcox Pass trailhead. Keep in mind this area receives a lot of snow and is not serviced during the winter months. There are no water, garbage collection or maintenance services in this area during the winter.
There are many things to do in Jasper during the winter no matter what your interests or skills. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, besides the local ski hill, Jasper National Park offers a wide variety of activities. Skating at Lake Mildred and Pyramid Lake are very popular activities. Both lakes are regularly maintained and offer some amenities such as communal fire pits, picnic tables and some restaurant services. Cross country skiing is another popular activity in Jasper. Take in the breathtaking views of the snow covered peaks while gliding along any of the roughly 70km of ski trails that Parks Canada staff groom throughout the season. Starting from nine different trail heads, some interconnecting, the trails range from easy to difficult and can take anywhere from an hour to an afternoon. If you enjoy a slower pace or like things a little more traditional, snowshoeing is a more relaxed but still active way to enjoy Jasper National Park. Follow one of Jasper’s many designated trails or get a little adventurous and make your own trail.
If you’re not a skier, skater or snowshoer there are still many things to keep you entertained in the winter months. Jasper is home to some unique festivals and events starting in the fall until late winter: The Dark Sky Festival, Jasper in January, the Canadian Rockies Snow Battle and more. More information about these and other events can be found on Jasper’s website. Many restaurants and pubs host an eclectic assortment of musicians all year long. Enjoy some music while you dine or hit the dance floor for a night out. Whatever your fancy, you’ll find it here!
For information on Jasper National Park visit the website at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper