History of Totems Ski Shop

Our company was founded by Willard Steven Jeffrey, who first walked into Jasper in 1911. The railway was not yet constructed, so W.S. entered Jasper the traditional way - on foot. He set up business almost immediately, operating from a canvas tent while he built a small log cabin to house his general store. In 1913 the log cabin was abandoned, and the business moved into a brick building on the newly laid out main street at 410 Connaught Drive.

In 1929, Willard made his two sons, Vernon and Doug, partners in the business, and the operation became known as W.S. Jeffrey and Sons. In those days the business was a true general store, carrying groceries, dry goods, and outfitting supplies. The Jeffrey's were not only the first business pioneers in the park, they were pioneers in many other activities. They were the proud owners of the first motor car in Jasper. They were avid outdoorsmen and skiers, and helped to organize some of the first commercial backcountry winter camping trips in Jasper.

In 1956 after 45 years of service, the Jeffrey family retired and sold the business to John Clarke and Roy Everest. John continued the grocery and dry good business, while Roy operated the Men's Wear and Outfitting side of the business, which officially became known as Totem Men's Wear and Ski Shop.

The 1950's and 1960's brought radical changes to the grocery business, and in 1966 John Clarke decided to retire and get out of the grocery business altogether. On April 17, 1966, Totem's moved next door into a new building located at 408 Connaught Drive, where it continues to operate today. The original building now houses the Denjiro Japanese Restaurant.

Roy Everest was an avid outdoorsman and an enthusiastic skier. He brought his enthusiasm to work, and since 1956 Totems has become known as one of Western Canada's premier ski shops. Roy was a co-founder of the Whistler Ski Club. He has passed his love of the outdoors and of winter sports onto his 6 children, two of whom went on to race on the Alberta Ski Team. Two of his children, Clare and Roy Jr., now work in the company.

Roy has been assisted by his partner Milt Gilmour, who joined the firm in March of 1967 and who continues at Totems to this day. Milt was born for the outdoors and when he is not spending time with his horses or organizing backcountry pack trips, he is pursuing his other interests in mountain sports such as skiing, hiking, and camping.

Today Totem's continues to be the premier supplier of mountain sports equipment and technical outdoor clothing in Jasper. We offer everything from formal wear to casual in our clothing department, and we can equip all of our winter and summer backcountry needs. Let us put our 90 years of service in the hospitality industry to work for you!