Exciting New Experiences Abound in Jasper National Park for 2015 Season

News Release

June 1, 2015 – Jasper, Alberta – Parks Canada

Today, Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced a number of new experiences visitors can look forward to in Jasper National Park during the 2015 season.

With spring well underway, Parks Canada is preparing to welcome over two million visitors to the park this year. Jasper has something for everyone, whether a novice or an adventure enthusiast. From a new paddle-in campground and additional oTENTik facilities to recently approved activities such as hang gliding, paragliding and traction kiting, the park’s latest offers provide visitors a variety of opportunities to connect with their national heritage places. This is just one way that Parks Canada is bringing its mandate of protection, education and experience to life.

Through its offers for the 2015 season, Parks Canada is contributing to Canada's National Conservation Plan by working with tourism organizations and recreational associations to enhance visitor experience and facilitate personal connections to Parks Canada places.

Quick Facts

Beginning June 2015, Jasper’s newest Family Canoe Camp at Hidden Cove, tucked away along the shores of the iconic Maligne Lake, will be open to the public. The campground is ideal for families, groups with children or seniors, and beginner canoeists and kayakers, looking for a gentle “backcountry” paddling and camping adventure. Aspiring paddlers will follow a short, four-kilometre route (1 to 1.5 hours) along the shoreline, entirely in protected waters. The campground includes four campsites, and is equipped with a communal shelter, a woodstove and picnic tables. For reservations, call 780-852-6177.
Following a sold out 2014 season, 10 additional oTENTiks will be added to Whistler’s campground, for a total of 21. Parks Canada's signature oTENTiks – part tent, part cozy cabin – offer comfortable bunks and mattresses, a wood floor, table and chairs, and a personal front porch. This type of accommodation is the perfect way for families, friends and couples of all ages to discover the joys of camping without all the hassle. Each unit contains three beds and can accommodate up to six people. For reservations, visit www.reservation.pc.gc.ca or call 1-877-737-3783.
Hang gliding, paragliding and traction kiting are now permitted in the park. A form of mechanically-assisted flight, hang gliding uses either a fixed wing or rigging, while paragliding uses a specialized parachute and harness. During the two-year pilot, Jasper National Park will work closely with the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada to develop best practices and management strategies for the sport. Traction kiting involves being pulled by a kite over water, snow or ice and requires long runs of flat, open area, steady wind, specialized equipment and skill. The best spot for good traction is Jasper Lake.
Parks Canada hosts a number of special events throughout the year in Jasper National Park to help connect Canadians with nature. Most notably, September 4-5, Jasper will treat thousands of race-goers and millions of spectators around the world to an exhilarating, first ever mountain stage start and mountain top finishes of the Tour of Alberta, an international sporting event. From October 16-24, Parks Canada, along with Tourism Jasper, invites Canadians and visitors to experience Jasper’s natural dark skies and stargaze during the Fifth Annual Dark Sky Festival.
It is “Time to Connect” with Jasper National Park this summer through Parks Canada’s Red Chair Program. Visitors can fill their vacation photo albums by discovering the new red Adirondack chair additions throughout the mountain landscape – each painting a great story with a picturesque scenery.
Parks Canada will be bringing wildlife interpretation to the airwaves with the launch of Jasper’s Wildlife Guardian radio stations (96.7 FM English, 94.7 FM French). Available in both official languages, visitors will be able to tune in for up-to-date information on wildlife viewing opportunities, where and when to safely pull over, interpretive information and safety messages.

Quote

“Our Government is committed to offering appealing and engaging opportunities so Canadians and visitors can experience nature and develop a personal connection to national parks. As Canada’s largest provider of natural and cultural tourism destinations, Parks Canada welcomes summer recreationalists to Jasper National Park for the 2015 season to take in the scenic beauty, protected wildlife and diverse activities, and build lasting memories.”
-Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead

Additional links

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Media contacts

Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Kavitha Palanisamy
A/Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Parks Canada
780-852-6109
www.twitter.com/parkscanada

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2016-12-14

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Exciting New Experiences Abound in Jasper National Park for 2015 Season

News Release

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