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Jasper National Park 2023 Review: A Year of Moments and Milestones

Thank You

As we close this year's chapter, Parks Canada extends its gratitude to each member of our team, and to dedicated Jasper community members, Indigenous partners, local businesses, visitors, non-profit organizations, stakeholders and external partners. Your collective efforts, rooted in a commitment to stewardship, have been instrumental in nurturing our community's vitality. Through collaborative actions, volunteer efforts, sustainable operational practices and innovative local initiatives, we are collectively ensuring the preservation and protection of Jasper National Park’s environmental and cultural heritage for generations to come.

As we wave goodbye to 2023, let's embark on a journey through Jasper National Park's eventful year, filled with nature's marvels, community spirit and remarkable achievements.

January 2023: Kicking off with winter wonders

The year started on a high note with the Jasper in January festival. Visitors indulged in the “Lighter Side of Winter,” enjoying everything from a poutine showdown to the first-ever Mountain Malanka – a New Year's Eve revelry of Ukrainian culture. And don't forget the Parks Canada tent, where avalanche safety and winter travel were the hot topics.

Jasper in January returns in full force in 2024 from January 12 to 28. Don’t miss the famous retro street party on Saturday, January 27, 2024, and look for the Parks Canada tent! Learn more.

February 2023: A land of ice and adventure

February was a winter enthusiast's dream come true. The Friends of Jasper National Park (Friends of Jasper) kept 50 km of trails pristine for hikers and snowsho*rs, while Parks Canada's trail crew groomed 40 km into a sublime cross-country ski haven. Ready to join the frosty escapades? Check the latest trail conditions here and dive into the wintry bliss! Back again for 2024, the Pipeline cross-country ski trail!

Avalanche Awareness Story Night at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives featured daring stories of high alpine rescue from Jasper National Park’s Visitor Safety team and Marmot Basin operators. This event went beyond sharing tales—it fostered community spirit and safety awareness, all while raising funds for Jasper Crisis Services.

March 2023: Spring awakenings

Parks Canada released the short film "Planting the Future," capturing conservation efforts for whitebark and limber pine in the mountain national parks. It’s a must-watch for nature lovers!

March marked the start of construction of the caribou conservation breeding centre, with the initial phase of building forested pens and installing essential utilities. This pivotal project flourished with significant contributions from Indigenous businesses and communities, showcasing a collaborative spirit in wildlife conservation. Learn more.

Rounding out the month, Parks Canada’s fire and vegetation experts captivated audiences at the Jasper Municipal Library's spring gardening speaker series. This event was a gem for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, highlighting the importance of native flora in our ecosystem.

Spring sprung into action at Parks Canada on March 31 with our first bear sighting of the season! It was a timely reminder for everyone to revisit their bear safety skills.

April 2023: Conversations and connections

On April 19, Jasper National Park hosted its first in-person Annual Public Forum since the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions buzzed with insights into trails, wildlife and more, setting the stage for an engaging year. Learn more.

Trailblazing got an upgrade! A new online trail condition report launched in April, offering real-time updates. Now, trail enthusiasts may easily check the latest conditions and plan their adventures with ease.

In 2023, the Palisades Education Centre was a hub of excitement and learning, reaching 11,700 students through dynamic virtual programs and on-site adventures. Covering hot topics like wildfire, caribou conservation and leadership, the centre hosted 48 groups and connected with over 700 students at the Marmot Learning Centre.

Jasper Pride & Ski Festival, launched on April 23, brought a burst of colour and inclusivity to the Rockies. Parks Canada showed its support for this unique celebration, the only gay ski week in the Canadian Rockies, hosting an afternoon of family activities at Lake Annette on April 22, including nature games, exploring and family fun.

Public consultation on land use planning and development in the town of Jasper wrapped up in April, following online, in-person and Indigenous consultations. Read the What We Heard Report.

The majestic bald eagles soared back to their nest at Medicine Lake, a yearly delight for locals and visitors.

May 2023: Community spirit and nature's call to action

Parks Canada delivered great news: The Chetamon Wildfire was extinguished! A thorough infrared scan confirmed no hotspots, marking a significant success in wildfire management. Community-Wide FireSmart Day saw Jasperites uniting to reduce fire risk. Supported by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, everyone from apartment dwellers to homeowners cleared combustible materials, showcasing a community dedicated to safety.

The 2023 wildfire season saw fire crews actively involved in both local and national wildfire management efforts. Nationally, the park contributed 14 fire specialists and an additional 17 trained staff to support regions across Western Canada. Learn more.

As the ice melted on Maligne Lake, paddlers rejoiced, readying their life jackets and refining their J-strokes. It was a return to beloved waters and a signal of adventurous days ahead.

Fort St. James National Historic Site kicked off its season on May 20 with pancakes, kite decorating and chicken races! The Home Stretch Diner reopened with a new menu, and three adorable baby goats joined the Fort’s furry population.

June 2023: Or was it “Junuary”?

June in Jasper took a surprising twist with a “Junuary” snowstorm—a rare meteorological event! Locals and visitors watched in awe as over 100 mm of rain and a blanket of 55 cm of snow transformed the landscape. This unseasonal spectacle brought its share of challenges: Parks staff rescued hikers stranded on backcountry trails and roads, and businesses experienced hardship due to necessary closures to repair roads damaged by mudslides. Jasper National Park’s trail crew and the Highways team were instrumental in the clean-up effort. Learn more.

The Traffic Congestion Management team made their debut this month, expertly easing motorists’ journeys at Lake Annette and Maligne Canyon. Paired with JasperNow, our handy web map for parking updates, exploring Jasper’s hotspots became a breeze.

On June 13, Parks staff gloved up for Stewardship Day as part of National Public Service Week, enthusiastically combing through Jasper to pick up litter. This collective effort not only fostered camaraderie but also kept our beloved park looking its pristine best!

Jasper National Park, in partnership with host First Nation Simpcw (People of the River), celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. This vibrant event showcased the culture of the Simpcwúl’ecw, from the Secwépemc Nation, through songs, dances and workshops on plant knowledge, language and traditional skills. Learn more.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride trotted into Jasper for the first time since 1974. The “Return of the Ride,” orchestrated by a committee including the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and the local RCMP detachment, was highly anticipated. Despite tumultuous weather, the troop of more than two dozen horses and riders met with the public in their temporary stable at the Jasper Arena and performed two rides through town to give the community a glimpse of the majestic presence of the horses.

The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention program in Jasper National Park launched in 2023. The AIS team conducted 944 “effectiveness monitoring surveys” and 114 hot washes from June to October, with a significant focus on Maligne Lake, where they engaged with more than 450 visitors, emphasizing the importance of “Clean, Drain, Dry” practices. Learn more.

July 2023: Summer adventures and festivities

Canada Day celebrations abounded in Jasper National Park on July 1. Parks staff proudly designed parade floats while Parka, our beloved beaver mascot, made a celebrity appearance at “Picnic in the Park.” Thank you to the Municipality of Jasper, the Canada Day Committee and volunteers for an event-packed day!

Fort St. James National Historic Site celebrated Canada Day with a fur trade skills competition, birthday cake and a name-the-baby-goats contest!

Park interpretation programs kicked off on the July long weekend, featuring theatre productions, activity stations, campfire events and a speaker series, captivating 23,000 visitors with over 200 programs during July and August. Simultaneously, the wildlife patrol team managed 460 “wildlife jams” and educated 19,000 individuals about responsible wildlife viewing.

Fort St. James National Historic Site put a call out to all foodies to join them for the “Best Salmon Chef in New Caledonia Salmon Cook-Off”! The event celebrated the historical significance of salmon at this iconic site and invited community members to show off their culinary skills.

Parks Day, hosted by Friends of Jasper, was a hit! The community and visitors enjoyed a day filled with guided hikes, outdoor activities, artist displays and family fun. Parks Canada added to the excitement with engaging activity booths at the lively celebration in Robson Park, highlighting the value of our parks and historic sites. Thanks to the Friends of Jasper and volunteers for a magical day!

The Glacier Gallery in the Icefields Centre reopened! Visitors explored the fascinating exhibits and watched the award-winning short film, Through Ice and Time.

During Shark Week, the AIS prevention team happily reported on social media that no sharks or invasive species had been detected in Jasper’s waters.

A “Teddy Bears’ Picnic”? Not quite! On July 24, a grizzly bear family of mom and two cubs accessed a visitor’s picnic at Lake Annette day-use area, prompting wildlife specialists to close the area to track down the bears and relocate them, for bear—and public—safety.

Fort St. James’s baby-goat-naming campaign came to an end, introducing “Oreo,” “Cookie,” “Latte” and “Cashew” to the world. Participants whose name suggestions were not chosen tried not to let it “get their goat.”

August 2023: Trailblazing achievements and cultural celebrations

In 2023, the Jasper National Park trail crew were trailblazing heroes! They skillfully maintained routes like the Pyramid fire road, built four nifty new bridges in the Tonquin Valley, and gave the Moab Lake bridge a fantastic facelift. Not to forget, they impressively managed 51 backcountry poo barrels! Learn More.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the Friends of Jasper have significantly impacted their favourite park with initiatives like the Pyramid Island, Whistlers Mountain, and Cavell Meadows restoration projects. Their unique programs, including Junior Naturalist and Full Moon hikes, coupled with a popular gift shop, showcase their commitment to nature and community. This small team demonstrates how passion and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements. Thank you, Friends of Jasper, for making Jasper National Park the vibrant place it is!

Fort St. James National Historic Site invited the public to join them for the Celebration of Nak’azdli Salmon on August 24. The event was hosted by Nak’azdli Whut’en Health Centre and included a salmon offering ceremony at the Chief Kwah Memorial, followed by a salmon feast, a presentation from the Nak’azdli Fisheries Department and a theatrical performance of The Legend of Salmon Boy. Learn more.

Whistlers Theatre speaker series engaged visitors eager to get a “behind the scenes” look into park operations and environmental conservation. Featured presentations by Visitor Safety, vegetation restoration, and Jasper’s caribou recovery team demonstrated the passion and highly specialized work of our Parks Canada staff.

The velvet came off and the elk rutting began! Coinciding with the start of the elk rut in late August, the wildlife patrol team stepped up their efforts in delivering safety messages to the public and local community.

Fort St. James National Historic Site celebrated Caledonia Day on August 26. Visitors bid in the pie auction and enjoyed games for kids, exhibitions, tournaments and live music. Parks Canada staff were on hand to gather feedback from the public and stakeholders for the Fort’s new Draft Management Plan. Learn more.

In 2023, Jasper townsite became a bear hotspot, with around a dozen curious bears, lured by non-native fruit trees and tempting yard goodies, stirring up safety concerns. It’s a wild problem, but solving it is a team sport! Since 2019, Parks Canada staff have been on a tree-removal mission, uprooting over 200 fruit trees from residential, commercial and public lands. Joining the bear-busting brigade, owners of at least 10 trees voluntarily removed their trees themselves. Thank you to residents, businesses and the Municipality of Jasper who worked with Parks Canada to remove fruit trees and other bear attractants. Learn more.

September 2023: New beginnings and commemorative steps

Jasper National Park’s Miette Hot Springs, known for the hottest mineral waters in the Canadian Rockies, reopened to hot-spring aficionados’ delight on September 1, after a closure caused by a June snowstorm-induced mudslide which damaged the road. More info.

Parks Canada worked with the Municipality of Jasper on their Jasper Transit initiative, which launched on September 5. This new fixed-route service is not just a ride; it helps to alleviate congestion at popular day-use areas and offers a sustainable public transportation option for locals and visitors alike.

Thanks to public reports and rapid response, Jasper’s fire crews efficiently managed and extinguished 15 wildfires this summer, with three of them over 2 ha in size and requiring more than 12 hours of suppression activities. Learn more.

On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was commemorated by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper. This event served as a remembrance of the residential school legacy. In the 30 days leading up to September 30, the Jasper National Park Indigenous Relations and Cultural Heritage team collaborated with Municipality of Jasper staff to create a ReconciliACTION Calendar with daily activities and resources to promote cultural awareness and advance reconciliation.

The Happy Little Trees Project was brilliantly led by Snape’s Hill historian Danny Frechette, in partnership with Parks Canada and Trans Mountain. This team skillfully transplanted Douglas-fir trees from Lake Annette to rejuvenate areas devastated by mountain pine beetle. The project attained an impressive 93% success rate, with the transplanted trees flourishing in their new environment.

October 2023: Starry nights and ecological endeavours

From May to October, vegetation restoration field technicians planted 2,880 Douglas-fir seedlings and 1,564 native forbs and grasses, and transplanted 340 Douglas-firs, to combat invasive species and aid ecological restoration. They also implemented various techniques like native grass seeding and willow staking across 17 sites. Learn more.

Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation approached Parks Canada to express their intent to renew a territory sharing agreement. Their original agreement pre-dated the establishment of Jasper National Park. As a partner, Parks Canada responded by working with Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation to facilitate a gathering this past October, which included a ceremony and a faunal harvest to observe the renewed territory sharing agreement. This event, aligned with shared conservation goals, supports Indigenous partners to reconnect with their territories and honours their rights. Learn more.

October in Jasper National Park sparkled with the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival, a signature event organized by Tourism Jasper and elevated by the dedicated efforts of partners and volunteers. This celebration brought the community and visitors together with an innovative drone light show, a safer choice than traditional fireworks, minimizing wildfire risks and being more accessible for those with noise or light sensitivities. Stargazing enthusiasts also enjoyed laser-guided constellation tours at Marmot Meadows with Parks Canada interpreters and celebrated "International Observe the Moon Night" at Commemoration Park.

November 2023: Safeguarding and inspiring

In November, Jasper National Park began conducting wildfire risk reduction work, focusing on the Community Fireguard on Pyramid Bench and surrounding areas. The efforts included hand-thinning vegetation and controlled burning of debris to mitigate wildfire risks and manage the impact of mountain pine beetle. Residents and visitors may notice increased activity and smoke from these essential and safety-focused operations until March 31, 2024. Learn more.

Parks Canada took steps to advance avalanche safety by evaluating new tools and procedures for avalanche control. This initiative, critical for ensuring visitor and staff safety in avalanche-prone areas, was skillfully executed by the Parks Canada Visitor Safety team. Know before you go when traveling at any time of the year; check 511Alberta for the most current road conditions throughout Jasper National Park.

On November 11, Remembrance Day was observed by Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 31) and the community at large, as we honoured Canada’s war veterans and peacekeepers, and remembered those who lost their lives in military service. There was a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country during war, conflict and peace.

November 16 saw Grade 9 students exploring Parks Canada careers during “Take Our Kids to Work Day.” Engaging in activities like wildlife tracking and conservation efforts, they gained valuable insights, inspiring their future paths. A big thanks to the students and staff who made this day a success!

November 17 marked “National Take a Hike Day” and our Parks staff celebrated by hitting the trails for some rejuvenating fresh air. Want to connect with nature today? Check trail reports here and take a hike!

December 2023: Lighting up winter

Fort St. James National Historic Site sparkled with joy during the “Light up the Fort” event from December 9 to 23. Visitors embraced winter's magic, capturing “picture perfect” moments and sharing them under #LightuptheFort, fostering a warm sense of community and celebration.

Social media highlights

Jasper National Park’s social media channels connected millions of Canadians and visitors from around the globe in 2023. Here are the top five most engaging posts:

1. Happy #Thanksgiving everyone! (October 9, 2023) - 8,156 likes
2. After recent rain and an assessment of the Celestine Road, the Chetamon Wildfire area closure has been lifted (May 26, 2023) – 1,455 likes
3. As August waves goodbye, let's give a roaring round of applause to the trail crew for their incredible efforts! (August 31, 2023) – 853 likes
4. Meet Caribou 73! (September 6, 2023) – 779 likes
5. UPDATES from the snowstorm ❄ That's right, a snowstorm in June! (June 23, 2023) - 737 likes

Whether you have cultural connections to its lands or are a regular visitor, whether you love it from afar or are proud to call it home, Jasper National Park is a special place for many people around the country and the world.

From Jasper National Park, we hope you continue to enjoy the holidays, travel safely and find time to rest and celebrate with your family and friends.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Stay tuned in the new year for the upcoming Jasper National Park 2023 Annual Report and the Annual Forum, taking place in person March 12 and virtually March 13, 2024.

Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Management actions in the Tonquin Valley

The Tonquin Valley is one of Canada’s premiere backcountry destinations, with impressive peaks, glaciers and scenic lakes.

Renowned for its stunning vistas of Amethyst Lake at the base of the mountains known as “The Ramparts,” the area’s popularity is a testament to its pristine landscapes, excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, and alpine lakes. In addition to its importance for visitors, the Tonquin is habitat for wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears and woodland caribou, a species at risk of disappearing.

The area is particularly significant to Indigenous partner communities as stewards of the land with strong cultural, traditional and spiritual practices. Many Indigenous communities also have long histories with caribou. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have revered caribou, searching them out for sustenance and nutrition. Caribou are a cornerstone of their cultures and histories.

Backcountry access and experiences in the Tonquin Valley have changed over time.

Historically, horse use was a key component of European and Canadian exploration of the region, with recreational use of horses beginning in the early 1900s. Outfitter offers over the past 120 years started as horse pack trips for the fur trade, survey and coal exploration companies, and later evolved into an accessible tourism oasis for Canadians and tourists to explore and enjoy. The network of trails, campgrounds, cabins and access to alpine lakes and rivers would not be what it is today without the trailblazers who saw the intrinsic value of the area and invited the world to enjoy it.

Tonquin Valley management evolved over more than a century to offer one primary 47-km point-to-point trail, seven backcountry campgrounds, a wilderness hostel near the Astoria River trailhead operated by Hostelling International Canada, a hut near Outpost Lake operated by the Alpine Club of Canada, and two privately operated overnight lodges. For decades, these combined experiences helped Parks Canada offer visitors a broad range of opportunities for understanding, appreciating and enjoying the wilderness and natural environment of the Tonquin Valley.

Although the valley is an exceptional place, challenges exist to balance ecological integrity, Indigenous stewardship and visitor experience.

Forced removal of Indigenous people from these lands with park establishment, along with subsequent recreational impacts on vegetation, species at risk, visitor experience and infrastructure in the Tonquin Valley and its trails have required various management actions to improve wildlife habitat security and enhance visitor experiences.

Management actions in the Tonquin Valley

Since 2000, Jasper National Park’s management plans have identified the following priorities for balancing ecological integrity and backcountry experiences in the Tonquin Valley:

1. habitat security for caribou and grizzly bears
2. recreational use
3. protection and recovery of caribou

Large portions of remote trails in the Tonquin Valley pass through damp areas with poor drainage that have a high potential for trail damage, especially from horse users adventurous enough to make the journey. To manage horse-related trail degradation and improve the visitor experience for the majority of users in the Tonquin Valley, Parks Canada progressively reduced horse access to trails such as Chrome Lake and Eremite beginning in the early 2000s and eliminated all private horse use in the Tonquin Valley in 2021. Parks Canada continued to permit horse use by commercial operators by working together with operators to manage horse impacts and trail maintenance. Parks Canada has been working steadily to improve visitor experience in many of the muddiest and most damaged sections by rebuilding boardwalks, investing in campsites and repairing damaged trails.

To improve the ability of sensitive umbrella species like caribou and grizzly bears to thrive in the Tonquin Valley and to enhance habitat security for these species at risk, Parks Canada implemented several management actions over the past 13 years including the following:

• improving techniques for monitoring caribou in the Tonquin Valley, and re-evaluating and adjusting as new technology and research becomes available
• building relationships with Indigenous partners to share knowledge and seek guidance on caribou recovery;
• increasing outreach and communication about the importance of caribou by utilizing program updates and Indigenous partner involvement;
• maintaining existing official trails with no development of new trails;
• reducing the number of random camping permits available each month and limiting how many people can be in a random camping group;
• focusing the backcountry trail offer to hikers, the largest user group, while preventing further trail degradation by prohibiting access by bicycles and private horse parties;
• reducing direct disturbance to wildlife by prohibiting access by dogs, hang gliders and paragliders;
• re-evaluating Parks Canada staff access to the area, including discontinuing operational use of snowmobiles in 2016;
• preventing the establishment of packed trails that predators can use for easier access to winter caribou habitat by closing the Tonquin Valley to human use in the winter beginning in 2009; and
• extending seasonal closure of caribou habitat beginning November 1, 2021, to May 15, 2022 (rather than February 15) to provide further protection to caribou from winter wolf predation.

Impact of management actions

Extending the seasonal closure to May 15 impacted the two privately operated overnight commercial lodges, reducing their operating season by ten weeks and eliminating their ability to use snowmobiles to resupply lodges. Recognizing this impact, Parks Canada entered into discussions with the outfitters in autumn 2021 to negotiate options to continue operating from May 16 to October 31 each year or to end their licences of occupation with compensation.

Using guidance provided by an accredited and independent third-party valuator, Parks Canada reached agreements with both Tonquin Valley Adventures and Tonquin Valley Backcountry Lodge as of October 31, 2022, to purchase all infrastructure and non-moveable assets and to end their licences of occupation. Parks Canada facilitated helicopter access for the outfitters to remove their equipment and supplies. In the short term, the infrastructure and non-moveable assets will remain in place and will be evaluated for potential operational use. Parks Canada does not expect or intend to issue any licences of occupation or leases in the Tonquin Valley in the foreseeable future, in order to balance visitor experience needs in the summer with habitat security for sensitive umbrella species like caribou and grizzly bears. The Alpine Club of Canada and Hosteling International opted to cease their winter operations to support caribou conservation in November 2020 and now operate in the summer only.

The future of the Tonquin Valley

The new Jasper National Park Management Plan (2022) states that Parks Canada’s primary objective for the Tonquin Valley is to improve the ability of caribou and grizzly bears to thrive in the valley while balancing the strong desire to maintain the long and evolving history of human use of the area. The Tonquin Valley is open to backcountry recreation between May 16 and October 31. Overnight accommodation can be reserved at one of Parks Canada’s seven campgrounds in the Tonquin Valley and at HI Edith Cavell Hostel and ACC Wates-Gibson Hut in the summer season.

There are no planned restrictions on summer backcountry access in the Tonquin Valley. While no new long-term closures related to caribou are planned, there may be a need for occasional, temporary or short-term closures to ensure public safety and prevent wildlife from being disturbed at sites where important natural processes or active management are occurring.

Caribou conservation breeding program

Parks Canada is finalizing the assessment of comments received from Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the public on a proposed conservation breeding strategy to rebuild small caribou herds in Jasper National Park. A “what we heard” report summarizing all feedback and a detailed impact assessment are expected to be available before the end of 2022 and published in January 2023. An announcement on whether or not Parks Canada will proceed with the caribou conservation breeding program is expected in early 2023. For more information about Parks Canada’s conservation breeding proposal, visit our website.