The next day at Winterstruck out at Pyramid Lake, people can enjoy a variety of activities like dogsledding, ice skating and cooking bannock.
“We’re hoping to get people to become passionate about winter activity again,” said Mary Darling of Tourism Jasper.
There’s also plenty of other activities throughout January, such as the snow sculpting competition, to remind people that winter is awesome.
Sculpture judging begins at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13. The Jasper Bantam Bearcats hockey team has been busy packing snow into large carving blocks for competitors.
“The teams are going to be allowed to start carving on Thursday [Jan. 10], and have until 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning to finish their masterpieces before judging begins,” said Darling. The carvings are located by the Discovery Trail on the south side on Connaught Drive.
Winners will be announced at noon, with prizes for most creative, most humorous and best winter scene.
Another “don’t miss event” is the Broken Resolutions comedy show Jan. 15 at the Jasper Brewing Company, featuring local host Dave Husereau.
Mountain Park Lodge’s chilli cook-off on Jan. 18 is a popular event and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “The chilli cook-off has been happening for one year longer than the whole entire Jasper in January Festival,” said Darling.
Saturday, Jan 19 is a busy day. The ATCO Family Street Party spans from the Old Fire Hall to Tags and occurs alongside the Hockey for Hope tournament. Jasper’s first commercial ice bar will also be in service at the Robson House. Capping off the night is a fireworks display at Centennial Park.
“I’ve had many comments that they [the fireworks] are better than the ones for Canada Day,” said Darling.
A rail jam, seniors tea and avalanche awareness days are all events scheduled at Marmot Basin during the festival.
“New this year is the Mill St. Brewery Beer and Cheese Pairing,” said Darling. “Always popular is Wine in Winter on the 25th and then Hops and Scotch on the 26th.”
And, if jumping into chilly lake water suits your fancy, “the polar bear dip is awesome.”
Closing out Jasper in January is the third and final day of the Men’s Curling Bonspiel on Jan. 27.
There are many other great activities not mentioned here; a complete and detailed list of Jasper in January celebrations is available online at .
