JASPER – The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has confirmed its main 1921 lodge and most buildings remain unscathed from the out-of-control wildfire that has ravaged the national park townsite.
According to the resort, two hotel accommodations were burnt down, including Milligan Manor and one Beaver Suite. Several operations buildings have also burned as well as the engineering and golf maintenance shed.
Hotel officials say there is some damage to some employee housing and vegetation has been scorched, including trees throughout the property.
“We are able to confirm that though the hotel did incur fire damage, most of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge structures, including the main lodge, remain standing and intact,” states the luxury hotel on its website.
“While we will need time to assess the full scale of the damage and the timelines required for repair and restoration, we are deeply relieved that much of the property was spared and the resort will re-open in the future.”
For visitors with upcoming reservations, the hotel’s reservations team is currently in the process of cancelling resort, golf, spa and dining reservations for the coming days and all will receive a cancellation notice.
For staff, the hotel sent a letter to help them through this difficult and uncertain process, saying they don’t know when employees can return to the property.
“We know that many of you have your personal belongings in staff housing, and we will let you know when you will be able to collect these items,” wrote hotel management to staff.
“We do not believe this will be any earlier than two weeks from now, but we will confirm when we know more.”
In the 1950s the Jasper Park Lodge hosted Marilyn Monroe's River of No Return, and James Stewart's The Far Country.
The hotel was established in 1921 by the Canadian National Railway and is one of Canada's grand railway hotels.
