Shangrila: Jasper's first entry into the ski business.

Shangrila was built in 1936 by Curly Phillips with Doug Jeffery, assisted by Willard Jeffery. (Verne Jeffery, who was involved with initial concept, was away on his honeymoon.)

Can we build?

In February 1936 Verne Jeffery wrote this letter to the Superintendant of Jasper National Park requesting permission to build the ski cabin that was to become Shangrila.

Advancing the cause …

This letter from Park Superintendant A. C. Wright urging his boss, the Commissioner of National Parks, Ottawa, to accept the proposal.

Watchtower begins

In March of 1939 the Secretary of the Maligne Lake Ski Club, W.S. Jeffery (father of Verne and Doug) formally applied for permission to build the Watchtower Cabin. The application was successful.

Jeff Weir fells problem tree

On Saturday, September 8th, 2012, Jeff Weir, President of MLSC, felled the very old spruce tree that sat in front of the cabin. This same tree is visible in the historical pictures of the building of the cabin in 1936.

It had become a safety issue as it had grown into a doubled-headed tree that would have, eventually, fallen onto the cabin.

Jeff made it look easy; it was not. Jeff is a licensed feller. And not a bad sort of fella too! In this older pic, the dangerous tree is seen just in front and to the left of the cabin's front door.

Bette Weir: 1939 – 2014