Calgary university students designing new warming hut at Montane Trails
Published 9:22 am Friday, May 22, 2026
Parastone Developments has put out a call to students at the University of Calgary to design a new Warming Hut at the Montane Trails, near Fernie.
A group of 32 architecture students bussed out to Fernie to tour the Montane Trails in mid-May, to get a feel for the area and learn the history of local trail development. Professor Jason Johnson said the group was able to look at photos and measurements, and discuss their ideas. For some of the students, it was their first time visiting the mountains.
Students will be designing an accessible hut within the parameters of a $500,000 budget, that can be used year-round by trail users and visitors, and can withstand changes in seasonal weather. The off-grid project will be heated by firewood, and the proposal prioritizes wood storage and fire safety.
The new project will replace the hut that currently exists at Montane.
Students will be working on their ideas over the next four weeks, and a final choice will be selected by Parastone later this year. The winning student will be given a $5,000 scholarship.
Johnson said he’s excited his students get to experience designing a structure in a rural and remote environment. He’s eager to teach them how to work in places with unique conditions, and even broaden their horizons about their career possibilities.
“It’s really about expanding their set of experiences,” he said.
It was Parastone that reached out to the University of Calgary to express interest in having students submit their designs, and Johnson was enthusiastic about getting involved. He recently took his students to see a warming hut at Pocaterra, near Kananaskis, to see mountain architecture in person. The group awaits a trip up towards Jasper and to the tea houses in Banff for further study.