ALTERNATIVE +
LOCAL + INDEPENDENT
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 // ISSUE 184
BORDER BOARDER //
@Dougie.O skimming the cream off the Jasper/Banff boundary and surfing the magical interface between winter wonderland and spring in the air.// BOB COVEY //
thejasperlocal.com
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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 184 // MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021
EDITORIAL //
Local Vocal For a year now, Jasper officials have resolved to follow provincial pandemic protocol.
However, lately I’ve been wondering if we shouldn’t be acting a bit more autonomously on this critical file, since it seems like the province is determined to try to combat coronavirus with half measures. Despite a finish line (of sorts) in sight, there’s still plenty of uncertainty regarding the pandemic. The March 9 committee discussion between council and administration, wherein participants wrestled with the ambiguities of trying to reopen the Fitness and Aquatic Centre, demonstrated as much. As part of its Stage 2 Reopening, the province has dictated indoor workouts in fitness centres must be “low-intensity.” But what’s the point of a workout if you can’t actually do the work? Municipal staff must have also had that thought, because rather than reopening at their discretion as they had done with the Jasper Arena last month, they were back at council (committee of the whole) seeking an explicit motion for direction. That annoyed some councillors, who figured council had already given administration adequate instruction back in June. It seemed that neither council nor admin wanted the responsibility of making the tough call, i.e., either stay closed and disappoint pass holders, or reopen a facility which is unable to offer a full suite of services and which costs more to operate. Fair enough. This is a lose-lose proposition, especially when working within an austerity budget; however, these are the impossible positions that municipal councillors, administrators and business owners across the province are being put in as the Government of Alberta continues to offer weak resolutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I get it, people want to get back in the gym. But exercising mildly—not putting in any rigorous effort, just changing into your activewear and going through the motions—may be the perfect metaphor for how the UCP is prolonging the coronavirus misery through half-hearted measures. Unlike what the UCP has been serving up, real leadership is high intensity work, and in the void of any sweat being exuded by our provincial government, it’s my view that, like it or not, council and administration and community members who support staying vigilant are going to have to be the ones doing the heavy lifting. I, for one, hope we can muster the willpower to make decisions that will put us in the best position to stamp out the virus, get to the finish line and start pondering an actual return to normalcy. Like a good workout regime, even if making a tough call leaves us initially sore, we’ll be in better shape in BOB COVEY//bob@thejasperlocal.com the long run.
Jasper’s frontline workers: our brightest lights Dear Editor: Hats off to everyone who is mask-on for hours, shift after shift, month upon month, as we mark this sad, one-year anniversary.
“Thank-you for being here.” Or, “If you weren’t here, we wouldn’t be here.” I say this repeatedly because I appreciate your perseverance, courage, tenacity and patience.
Front line is everyone working with the public and alongside their colleagues. Essential is everyone putting in their blue collar or white collar 40 (or more).
Your smiling eyes camouf lage your mask fatigue and are t he brightest light during t his pandemic. Kudos and t hank-you.
You may have heard me say,
- Su Young-Leslie, Jasper
The Jasper Local //
Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e
Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher
Bob Covey..................................................................................bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director
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// LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 // ISSUE 184 // The Jasper Local // PAGE A3
After spotting a flash of fur run across the road, something told wildlife photographer Simone Heinrich to hit the brakes. “I was surprised to realize it was a skunk,” she said. “I’ve never seen one in the park before.” The skunk struck this defensive pose before running off into the woods. Not exactly a close call, but better scentless than sorry.// SIMONE HEINRICH PHOTOGRAPHY
Administration seeks clarity with Fitness/Aquatic Centre reopening The complexities of reopening Jasper’s Fitness and Aquatic Centre were on full display as Jasper municipal council received a request for direction from administration at their committee of the whole meeting March 9.
CAO Bill Given was asking for clear guidance from council regarding the facility reboot, a step some councillors saw as unnecessary in light of previous discussions and the fact that the Jasper Arena was recently reopened without such explicit instructions. “I’m confused as to why this is coming in front of us today,” Councillor Paul Butler said. “I think administration has adequate direction.” Given said the ambiguities of the province’s COVID limitations—the lack of a definition of “low-intensity activities,” for example— persuaded administration to bring the discussion back to council chambers. Restrictions on user
numbers will inhibit revenue potential and users may not be happy with limitations on their workouts, he added. “Those discussions were from June, that was prior to a second [province-wide] closing, it’s reasonable for administration to just want to confirm [reopening] is still council’s direction,” Given said. Revenue and expense projections for the facilities presented at the meeting led to discussion of the fiscal challenges of reopening. Councillor Jenna McGrath reminded council that culture and recreation services are understood to come at a cost. Councillor Rico Damota said the reopening experiment may justify making a tough financial decision down the road. “If we have to take drastic measures with the budget at least we have the argument it costs too much,” Damota said. Council is still working with an interim budget,
one which Given said administration is committed to staying within. “If council’s default position is to open facilities wherever possible, we’d be happy to take that direction,” Given said. Council provided that direction in the form of a passed motion from Councillor Scott Wilson to direct administration to open the facilities as soon as practical while following their formerly adopted principals (i.e. act in line with provincial regulations; demonstrate community demand; operate in a cost-effective manner). Councillor Bert Journault was opposed to the motion. The MOJ’s Culture and Recreation Department advised in a later social media post that the Fitness Centre and Bouldering Wall will (tentatively) open March 22 and the Aquatic Centre will open March 29 (lessons and household bookings only), pending staff recalls. B COVEY//bob@thejasperlocal.com
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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 184 // MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021
LOCAL MEDIA
Jasper science journalist plunging into podcasting Anthropomania debuts March 15 reporting on the biologically bizarre, as well as her experience growing up in a national park community. She says Jasperites can often forget that their relationship with wildlife is unique to much of the world. “There are few places where you can still interact with wild animals the way we do,” she said. “Our lens in terms of what we should expect when we walk out of our house is different.”
HOUSE OF POD // Niki Wilson in her home studio. // SUPPLIED
A local writer and science communicator is taking a deep-dive into the growing world of podcasting. Jasper’s Niki Wilson is bringing her inquisitive nature, vast knowledge of Rocky Mountain biology and love of a good pine marten story to a new podcast series called Anthropomania. Wilson, along with her fellow hosts—popular Canadian science broadcaster Jay Ingram, as well as biomedical scientist Dr. Erika Siren—will examine attitudes towards animals, plants and life on earth through a story-driven, investigative approach. Wilson says the notion of exploration is at the Anthropomania’s core. “Some people see nature as a playground, some people see it as something to be protected, others see it as something that gets in the way of making a livelihood,” Wilson said. “Sharing curiosity discards those narrow frameworks and allows us to be together on the journey.” Wilson will bring to the studio her portfolio of
Jasperites don’t find it weird, for example, to strap on a canister of bear spray for a family walk, or making sure to shut the back door so a pine marten doesn’t rob the place. “A lot of people would think that’s nuts,” she laughed. It’s also right in Anthropomania’s wheelhouse. Wilson, who has worked with Ingram many times over the years, most notably at Jasper’s annual Dark Sky Festival, said the tone of the podcast will be conversational—intelligent, yet light and funny. Listeners will find guests quirky and interesting, she said, and the topics they cover might be absurd or controversial, but always digestible and compelling. “It’s not just science and talking heads,” she said. “It’s really getting the cultural aspect too.” Anthropomania is produced by Toronto’s Lightscope Creative. It debuts March 15. Subscribe to it via your favourite podcast app. ________________ BOB COVEY
//
thejasperlocal@gmail.com
ALL ACCESS AWESOMENESS // An organization that specializes in breaking down barriers is looking to grow its reach and make mountain sports more accessible. Rocky Mountain Adaptive ran more than 2,000 adaptive sports experiences in its last calendar year and wants to improve on its success by expanding its volunteer base. Program Manager Kim Cosman, who herself started as a adaptive skiing volunteer nearly a decade ago, believes once people discover the transformational power of helping people discover their own potential, they’ll be hooked for life. “Seeing someone excel at an activity they, and other people in their life, might not have assumed they can do is one of the coolest things you can see,” Cosman said. Cosman has helped countless individuals with disabilities break free of what they thought possible. “Our motto is ‘No limits,’” Cosman said. On March 4, Cosman was helping sit skier Austin Thorowsky push his boundaries at Marmot Basin. The 25-year-old was tearing up the groomers for two days at the recent All Access Camp hosted by Marmot Basin. The next All Access Camps take place March 23-24 and are booking participants now. Visit rockymountainadaptive.com to find out how you can help more people break their personal barriers. // BOB COVEY
M U N I C I PA L I T Y O F J A S P E R
Business licence renewals Current licences expire March 31, 2021
Businesses operating within the town boundary must hold a valid business licence from the Municipality of Jasper. Renewal invoices will be mailed out to all businesses.
What you need
A current copy of liability insurance is required to renew a business licence.
Changes in your business information?
Complete the online application form on our website and attach the relevant documentation.
Your details haven’t changed?
Provide a current copy of your liability insurance and proceed with payment by contacting 780-852-3356 or calton@town.jasper.ab.ca, or drop by the administration office at 303 Pyramid Lake Road.
Payment options
Payment can be made with cash, debit, credit or cheque.
QUESTIONS?
Contact the Finance and Administration Office at 780-852-3356 or calton@town.jasper.ab.ca
www.jasper-alberta.com
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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 // ISSUE 184 // The Jasper Local // PAGE B2
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Council rejects timid parking plan A proposal for a paid parking pilot project was seen as too tentative by Jasper municipal council and administration was sent back to the drawing board March 9.
Newly minted CAO Bill Given admitted the scheme was conservative by design but suggested the plan would garner important data without ruffling too many feathers. “Given the complexities of on-street parking and the number of affected stakeholders, administration started with a narrow scope,” Given said. Given explained that obtaining baseline data on usage and getting stakeholder feedback could be achieved by establishing paid parking in two outlying parking lots: Hazel Ave across from the Home Hardware,
and Connaught Drive next to the municipal washroom facility. Such an approach could collect up to $100,000, or the equivalent of a 1.9 per cent property tax increase, Given estimated. But council wanted to see a pilot project that tries paid parking in the downtown core. “I don’t want to see the project fail because we’ve moved forward in half measures,” Councillor Paul Butler said. Council passed a motion directing administration to come back to the next committee of the whole meeting with a pilot project that better addresses downtown congestion. Councillor Rico Damota opposed the motion.
OPENING MARCH 26, 2021 30% OFF* WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR MARMOT BASIN ESCAPE CARD OR SEASON PASS
BOB COVEY // thejasperlocal@gmail.com
20% OFF* WHEN YOU PRESENT A VALID MARMOT BASIN LIFT TICKET *REGULAR PRICE ADULT OR YOUTH FLIGHTS
PUT A LID ON IT // Jasper bylaw officers reminding visitors of the downtown core’s mask bylaw. Officers have given out one ticket to an individual refusing to comply with the order. // B COVEY
OPEN 10AM - 5PM JasperSkyTram.com 1
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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 184 // MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021
STORY BY BOB COVEY WITH PHOTOS BY EDDIE WONG // EXPLOREJASPER.COM
Soft opening, hardcore riding: Marmot Basin drops the rope on previously closed expert ski terrain
Under a cloudless, sun-drenched sky and framed by glaciated peaks in every direction, on March 10 a small group of skiers and snowboarders slid into Marmot Basin history. For years—decades, even—local riders had looked up to the highest point at Marmot Basin ski resort and imagined themselves making turns down the northeast facing cirque known as Marmot 1. Rimmed by massive cornices and pitching out at 40 degrees for a good portion of the 550 metre slope, the terrain has been perennially closed and off limits for riders.
and riders to access an area of the mountain previously fenced off, sleuthing shredders put the pieces together. Soon, an entirely-organic swell of stoke was rippling through an in-theknow portion of the local riding community and by 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, a small but determined column of hardcore huckers
While Marmot’s Peak Run has long been accessible (when conditions permit) via the 800 metre Knob Drive and an ambitious hike, the slopes to the south of the run known as Susie’s have historically been gated. Avalanche hazard, logistical complications for potential rescue missions and the generally unforgiving nature of the rocky, exposed terrain necessitated the rope stay up and the public stay out—a serious order by ski patrol, a breach of which is punishable by law. As such, those who imagined what Marmot 1’s forbidden fruit might taste like could only look up longingly from below. Until now.
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On a quiet Tuesday afternoon in March, some of those dreamers finally got their wish. For the first time in its 56 year history, Marmot Basin dropped the rope on Marmot 1. It wasn’t broadcast, there was no marketing campaign. Instead, after word squeaked out that the extensive explosive work and ski cutting taking place over the previous two weeks was to facilitate a new project that would enable skiers
Jasper’s Bra
were bootpacking their way up the ridge that connects the Knob Chair’s return station to the top of the mountain. Once at the summit, these Marmot loyalists basked in the heady space at 2,612 metres above sea level and marvelled at the heretofore inaccessible fall line which was choked with a foot of settled, but still soft, powder snow. “Dear diary…got into terrain I’ve been looking at and dreaming about for 24 seasons,” wrote local snowboarder, Craig Walsh (@bro_craig), on social media. Another 100 or so riders also relished in the off-the-latch landscape that day.
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FORMERLY FORBIDDEN // Avalanche Control team members taking in the new view. // B COVEY
Facilitating Walsh’s long-held fantasies wasn’t simply a matter of removing the rope at the top of the run and telling him and his friends to have at it. Marmot Basin avalanche control
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Marmot shredder Craig Walsh on top of the world. // EDDIE WONG
team members, supported by the mountain operations staff, ski patrol and the grooming team, undertook substantial efforts to make the terrain safe to the snow sliding public, including building a network of high traverse trails into the lower portion of the slope which allowed them to nudge into the big
ad Stewart takes the 550 m dive. // E WONG - EXPLORE JASPER
“It’s not very often a ski area opens terrain and doesn’t go out there waving the flag. But knowing full well our local community who enjoys that type of terrain would go up and ski it, we knew word would get out to expert and advanced skiers.” face above. Once there, they used traditional avalanche control techniques to knock the air out of the snow and make it less sensitive to potential triggering. One AC member estimated there had been upwards of 50 explosives detonated on the slope and more than 100 separate ski cuts in the two weeks leading up to opening day. Added to that was hours of shovelling to knock back the ominous cornice at the top of the ridge—a hazard mitigated significantly by a newlyerected snow fence system. The fence has altered the eddy pattern of the daily squalls at the roof of Marmot Basin and reduced the build up of deposited snow on the downwind slope, avalanche control members explained. Director of Public Safety at Marmot Basin, Kerry MacDonald, was touring the top of the
newly-opened terrain with a satisfied, if windburnt countenance on Tuesday afternoon. It was MacDonald and his team of avalanche professionals who actioned the plan to open Marmot 1. Dropping the rope on the big terrain had been considered in years past—first in 2003, then again in 2007, MacDonald said,
Ski cutting is one of many avalanche control techniques. // BC
but conditions never lined up quite right and before they could try again in those years, the spring avalanche cycles began and time ran out on the season. This year was different. A cooperative snowpack, a cold, clear forecast and, most importantly, a thorough game plan allowed MacDonald to approach the project with a high degree of confidence. Marmot’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Brian Rode, said when MacDonald presented the plan to upper management and shareholders, it didn’t take long to get the green light, although the decision was made to forgo the fanfare and allow Marmot 1 to open quietly. “It’s not very often a ski area opens terrain and doesn’t go out there waving the flag,” Rode said. “But knowing full well our local community who enjoys that type of terrain would go up and ski it, we knew word would get out to expert and advanced skiers.” It did. It’s official. The word is out. “Lots of familiar faces up there,” Walsh said. “All with big smiles on them.” ________________________________ BOB COVEY
// thejasperlocal@gmail.com
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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 184 // MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021
LOCAL LITERATURE
Reimagining Alberta’s past, reclaiming its future Author, conservationist and former superintendent of Banff National Park, Kevin Van Tighem, wants Albertans to reimagine themselves. At a time when social, economic and environmental changes confront and confound Alberta, Van Tighem, a fourth-generation Albertan, says we need better ways of remembering our past, knowing our present and imagining our future. But you don’t have to have farreaching familial history to care for this province. “It’s not how deep your roots are, it’s how firmly they grip,” Van Tighem says. The Jasper Local interviewed Van Tighem in anticipation of his upcoming book of essays, Wild Roses Are Worth It: Reimagining the Alberta Advantage, published by Rocky Mountain Books. The following conversation has been condensed and edited to fit this space. The Jasper Local: The Alberta Advantage was this concept that Alberta’s position as an energy superpower engendered the best roads, the best schools, the cheapest healthcare and the lowest taxes. What is problematic about that narrative? Kevin Van Tighem: The overall premise [of the book] is that
we’ve come to see ourselves, and be spoken about, and imagine ourselves as primarily being defined by oil and gas and the quality of life that comes from being able to exploit it. But that’s not who we always were and that’s not who we will be in the future. That doesn’t mean we don’t have Alberta advantages, but we’ve let our stories be defined by others, and as your story shrinks your imagination shrinks, then as your imagination shrinks the landscape of possibilities shrinks. The concept of Alberta as a land of mavericks has been glommed onto, and appropriated by those who can only see the province as a place of plunder. JL: Early in your career, you were surprised that your presumptions about the relationship between bears and cattle ranchers were proven wrong. What other narratives are out there that Albertans unconsciously play into, and what harm can they do? KVT: One of the things we assume is that the green places on the map are green and will always be there. We have this sense of abundance, particularly around the forestry trunk road, that there’s lots of room there. In truth, you go to these places and see how heavily they’re being used. They’re very tired, with marks of wear and tear, and signs of negligent and
Kevin Van Tighem says the explosion of concern from people concerned about strip mining the province’s mountains is an example of Albertans taking control of their stories. // BRIAN VAN TIGHEM
irresponsible use everywhere. Another is redneck culture. This is not Alberta culture. When we focus on that we drown out or ignore other stories that define who we are. We sell ourselves short in doing that. JL: Do you, like your rancher friend Charlie Russell, take the view that only those with lasting roots in a place can be trusted to care for it? KVT: No. It’s not how deep your roots are, it’s how firmly they grip. We who care about this place are the ones who are going to stay. We’ve got a lot at stake here, so we’ve got to get it right, and one of the ways is to take control of our stories again. One of the things that’s happening right now
that excites me about the landscape on which this book is landing is this incredible explosion of concern about strip mining. This has pulled people together from every walk of life—ranchers, First Nations, conservatives, new democrats— people of every cut of every cloth have mobilized in defence of our foothills and mountains. People are waking up to the idea that where we are is who we are and if we matter, where we are matters. JL: You call climate change a war for a liveable planet and it seems to me one of your battlegrounds has been against Off Highway Vehicle users. How nasty has that battle Continued on Page B6
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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 // ISSUE 184 // The Jasper Local // PAGE B6
LOCAL LITERATURE
“Fill your mind with the possibilies of where you are” Continued from Page B5
Van Tighem’s new book Debuts April 27.
been? What would you say to folks who might not believe the lengths to which this group is willing to go to discredit you and others who’ve been outspoken against OHVs? KVT: First of all let me say there are an awful lot of people who use OHVs for the same reason I use my Subaru: to get as far away from other people and as deep into nature as possible. I don’t fault them for that. But there is a piece of it which goes to that brash, redneck, let-me-get-rich-and-have-my-toys culture, and they tend to try and drag everybody else along with them into their politics. It’s been actually really nasty. People who have that attitude have no real commitment to society and
community. It’s all about them, and they’ll fight dirty. I’ve been subject to all sorts of trolling and name calling and lying and efforts to discredit me. But what I tell myself is the same thing I’m trying to say in this book: That’s not us. You can ignore that and focus on us, and everybody else, because everybody else vastly outnumbers the trolls and the vandals. They’re noisy, but they aren’t worthy of attention. JL: You provoke a lot of discussion and create calls-to-action on social media, and your audience there is growing. However, it wasn’t long ago that you swore off Facebook and quit the platform, before jumping back on again after a short break. What led to the decision to log off and why did you ultimately decide this platform can do more good than harm?
empowered by local action, and offers hope for change in a world engulfed by hopelessness. Why is it so hard for us to connect our small actions to change that, as you say, can become contagious and unstoppable? KVT: It’s the world we live in. We’re inundated with information. We know what’s going on in South Africa, in Texas, in Europe. We’re swamped with the sheer magnitude of the world’s problems and it sucks the hope and optimism out of our existence. But we don’t live in the whole world. We live in our home places. We live here. If you can shrink your horizon more determinately to where you live, choose your geography, and ask what’s happening
and what you can do, suddenly there’s a lot more possibilities. JL: As a follow-up, then, what’s something that Jasper Local readers can do to affect change? KVT: Doing stuff at home is one way which you, without even trying, shrink your carbon footprint and increase connectivity to place. Filling your mind with the possibilities of where you are, rather than the impossibilities of where other people are, increases that connection to place. That’s also a way to keep our souls from gathering wounds.
KVT: Social media is an addiction. It’s affecting our brains. So part of it was just trying to manage my life, because there’s a general negative energy that can drag you down. But then I stepped back and decided you need to manage things, not surrender things. Social media has huge reach, so some of us probably should be trying to use it for the good it can do. So yes, I went back on. But I now have a much stronger sense of why I’m there and what I’m trying to do there. JL: Your essay Better Contagion suggests ways we can feel
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