When gay pride organizations plan, they usually set their dates forever, but changes can happen. Calgary Pride moved from the first weekend in June to the September long weekend because it usually was raining during pride. They there were too many major events happening one right after in the LGBTQ community in Alberta. Jasper Pride needed to change their dates too. For them it was because of growth and lack of available guest rooms. GayCalgary spoke to Jordan Tucker of Jasper Pride about the changes for 2018.

"In 2017, when the festival was in March, we really ran into significant challenges with guest room availability for purchasing to come to the festival. Moving to April definitely made a positive change there with the occupancy loads in town, so we be more inviting, more inclusive and more people will be able to attend Jasper Pride. Last year we were receiving many calls, emails and messages through social media that people just could not find a place to stay. We are hosting a festival to welcome the world to Jasper and really showcase their LGBTQ side of things and being inclusive and welcoming to everyone, but when people have no where to stay and we are in a remote area posed a major challenge as well."

This year, they are celebrating their 9th year on April 19th to 22nd, 2018, which is the third weekend of April. With those new dates, activities will also be changed since different parts of Jasper National Park start operating for the Summer Season too!

Thursday will have the traditional Pride Flag raising and later in the evening, the launch of the Jasper Pride Beer at Jasper Brewery. This year, the flavour is Citrus Circus Wheat Ale which is a citrusy wheat beer featuring Citra hops.

Friday night will open with the Ryan and Amy Comedy Show at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. For those who have been to Whistler Pride, Ryan Steele has been a very popular bartender for Apre Ski for the last several years, he also bartends at several gay bars in Vancouver plus was a contestant on Amazing Race Canada. As a comedy team duo with Amy Ricky Goodmurphy, they create some extremely funny skits that you can watch on YouTube. Check out our interview with Ryan Steele from Whistler Pride 2018 page 16. There is a cover charge for this event.

Back again at the Whistle Stop Pub is the FAB Albearta with another hot bear and otter event. Last year, the place was packed with guys with facial hair and hairy chests on display. This year’s theme is Risky Bearness 80’s night. Bring out your tighty-whities and a dress shirt to be like Tom Cruise in the movie Risky Business. This event has no cover.

Fruit Loop Mountain Party is happening at Four Peaks Night Club. They will have pop up performances by boylesque performer Fitzgerald Bitchwilliam III (AKA Fitzy) and drag queens, Teen Jesus Barbie and Plastika. DJ Queerbait will be DJing the night. This event has no cover.

Downstream Bar will again host the Thursday night dance. With how packed both Whistle Stop and Four Peaks were for the Friday night, Downstream Jasper also will be hosting the Pride Burlesque & Dance Party. Both events at Downstream Bar have no cover.

A major change is to the Saturday night dance venue. It will now be at the Jasper Activity Centre, which is located downtown. Theme this year is Pride Party: Under the Big Top. Virgin Radio Hosts Ian & Chelsea will be emcees again. Drag performances will be by ‘Caravan of Glam’ drag troupe from Oregon, along with other guest performances. Liquor sales at the dance are also going directly to Jasper Pride which will help cover costs and remaining amounts will be seed for the 10th Anniversary of Jasper Pride.

"The really nice thing about moving to April is that for those who still want winter activities such as skiing or snowboarding, you get great spring ski conditions with nice sunny days and warm temperatures. But we also open up a whole other realm of different activities for people depending on what your adventure level is. If you are looking for something that you want to experience in the National Park and get out and play a bit, you can do some light activities like going up the tram line or do some harder stuff such as hiking which is still leisure. Also, there is the guided group bike rides up here as well with Free Wheel Jasper which the cost of the event includes the full day bike rental. That’s really fun where the group will actually go from town to stop over at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge which is about mid way and will have break with a little bit of nachos or a pint of beer, then head back into town."

With the great spring ski conditions, Pride Party on the slopes is still happening on Marmot Basin. For those who don’t ski, the rest of the outdoor activities have changed. New this year to Jasper Pride is the Glacier Skywalk and Glacier Adventure on the Columbia Ice Fields. Both events are unique to Jasper National Park and are a great addition to Jasper Pride. The adventures are available from Thursday to Monday! You need to book your tickets in advance since there are space limitations.

Several guided hikes have been added, one to Old Fort Point and another for the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail. There is also a Jasper Wildlife & Highlights tour taking you through the Athabasca Valley put on by Sundog Tours, who traditionally do the Malign Canyon tours. The Jasper Skytram will also be operating for Jasper Pride which you can take up Whistlers Mountain to see a 360-degree view of Jasper. They will have snowshoes available too for those who want to enjoy the summit further.

For those who want an adrenaline rush off the slopes, there is the Pride Motorcycle Tour where you ride in a side car on legendary Harley Davidson Motorcycles. It is just over an hour trip with a professional driver who will drive at a speed you are comfortable with and stop at sites for photo ops. This activity allows anyone to participate regardless of age or disability. Book in advance since there is limited space and the trip happens on both Saturday and Sunday.

In door activities now include a Jasper Food Tour which is great way to sample some of Jasper’s great cuisine. Several activities are also geared towards families and LGBTQ youth including Jasper Pride Dinner and a Movie, events at Jasper Artist Guild and Jasper Municipal Library.

As in the past, several restaurants had created "pride" or "rainbow" items, like the Rainbow Pizza at Jasper Pizza, Majestic Fudge at Jasper Rock & Jade, Pride Beer at Jasper Brewery, Rainbow Cheesecake at Downstream Bar and Pride Cookies and Cupcakes at Coco’s Café. With how successful it has been bringing people out into the community, Jasper Pride decided to create the "Fork and Spoon" mini food fest. The list has expanded to at least 15 businesses taking part. Also, part of the proceeds from items sold will go back to Jasper Pride. You can check the Jasper Pride website for businesses participating this year.

These new additions to Jasper Pride for 2018 will create further interest in exploring areas of Jasper National Park that were not available in prior years. Also, it shows that the community is even further coming together to provide more activities to keep visitors busy and entertained during Pride adding more value to staying in Jasper for the weekend.

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Contributor Steve Polyak |

Locale Jasper |

Topic Gay Pride | Jasper Pride | Ski and Snowboard | Travel |

Photo Gallery Jasper |Travel |