The mountains are majestic and steep, and the valleys are lush and narrow as you climb Alison Pass from the west to get to Manning Park ski area just east of Hope BC on the Crowsnest Highway #3. Vern Schram is the new GM at Manning Park. As many know from the recent CWSAA spring conference he takes over for Mike Barker who retired this spring. Vern has been at Manning for 18 months following many years at Harrison Hot Springs, and Strathcona Lodge before that. The ski area and lodge facilities are owned by Kevin Demers and Holiday Trails Resorts, and has RV Campgrounds around the west including Sunshine Valley between Hope and Manning. Don Sharpe, well known from his days at Mt Washington, joined Kevin’s group over a year ago. In addition to chairlifts Manning Park has tubing, xc skiing, outdoor skating, indoor swimming, and has added significant meeting space and commands a strong wedding business. The spring is an exceptionally busy time of year as Vern, Andy, and mountain crews close the lifts and quickly clear snow off campsites and trails as they operate the park’s multiple campgrounds and front range trail system. This includes iconic Lightning Lakes and the mountain top viewpoint…an amazing cross country ski or road bike hill climb…Vern will happily lead you on both.