You are hereBlogs / Crista Worthy's blog / Jasper Airstrip Open
Jasper Airstrip Open
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Can.—The Jasper Airstrip (CYJA), located within Canada’s Jasper National Park, is now open to pilots for non-commercial use. The airstrip had been designated as “emergency use only” for many years; its reopening for public use came after lengthy efforts by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). The turf airstrip is maintained year-round; its 3,990 x 150 foot Runway 13/31 appears on Canadian charts at 52° 59’ 48N, 118° 03’ 34W.
The airstrip is situated along the east side of the 140-mile long “Icefields Parkway” Highway 93, which parallels the east side of the Continental Divide. Glaciers by the dozen spill down the slopes of the Rockies toward the highway, which National Geographic dubbed “one of the 10 greatest drives in the world." Pilots who fly the route are treated to outstanding views of giant icefields and multi-hued turquoise glacial lakes and rivers.
Jasper has one or more cable tie downs and a telephone and self-registration ($5 per day) booth; contact park superintendent if unsure, 780-852-6155. Just east of the airstrip, along the river, are a washroom, table, firewood, and bbq pits; for day use only, no camping. There is no fuel at the airstrip; nearest fuel is a 15-min flight to the turf Hinton/Entrance Airport (CEE4). This video of a fly-out from CEE4 to CYJA shows the airstrip, approach, and scenery (begin at 7:00).
The luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offers free pick-up for guests; taxis are $35 from strip to town.
For more information, contact the Jasper Flying Club 760-852-8208.
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My wife and I flew I here last July (2014). It helps to have GPS to find the strip, but once found it is in good condition.
Jasper is a truly awesome (in the real sense of the word) place. The mountains are snow covered all summer and very accessible to hike. We hiked up to the base of the Angel Glacier - an easy hike. Herds of elk and deer feed in the valley. We had one staring nonchalantly at us on the lawn at our cabin at Jasper Park Lodge. The lodge is first rate (although they would not pick us up at the airstrip - we had National Car Rental do that for our rental pickup).
Jasper village is a busy tourist town with lots of good restaurants and tour operators to give you any kind of mountain experience you can think of. The views at Maligne Lake and the hike down Maligne Canyon are very worthwhile.
We did not have the time to fly down the Icefields Parkway to Banff. After visiting Jasper that is definitely on the someday list.