President's Message
CWSAA has been in the Alberta and BC capitals over the past month conveying the economic and social opportunities stimulated by the ski sector. Photo: CWSAA Chair Eddie Wood and Christopher Nicolson meet with Jennifer Goad of the BC Mountain Resort Branch.
I counted. Then unbelievingly recounted. And yes, this winter marks my 40th year working in the snowsport industry. Over those years, no two starts to the season have been the same. As a kid at the Kemano Ski Club, I recall not being allowed outside because the snowbanks on either side of the pathway were so high they could collapse and bury us. Another year, we were flirting with a green Christmas. Variable starts are a reality in our industry.
The ski season began early in November in some parts of Western Canada, and of course, many others have followed since. Already this season, we’ve seen the gamut in the West—storm cycles dumping huge snow, cold temperatures suspending operations, and delayed season starts. We also know that one storm cycle can be a game changer, as evidenced by the current weather forecasts for cooler temperatures and snow in many regions. Optimism for the winter ahead is high, and the market indicators remain strong.
As an industry, we are always mindful of macro changes around us and engaged in long-term strategies, but right now, at this time of year, ski area operators are focused on implementation—putting into action the work that provides the greatest experience possible for our guests.
In recent media interviews, CWSAA has included in its comments the many proven strategies and new technologies used by the industry to weatherproof operations. From advances in snowmaking and snow storage to grooming equipment, trail design, and snow farming, operators are fully absorbed in implementing new strategies. Indeed, around the globe, these are norms for running a ski area and speak to the creative, solution-oriented nature of operators—and the long-term confidence in our industry.
Wherever you may be located, on behalf of the CWSAA Board and staff, we wish you, your families, and your teams a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
CWSAA will be available throughout the holiday period to support the industry as needed, but we will otherwise avoid interrupting operators as everyone supports their teams and serves their guests.
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
Industry Events
CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show
April 27–30, 2026 | Whistler, BC
Planning is underway for the 2026 CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show, returning to the Whistler Conference Centre this April. The event brings together ski areas, suppliers, and industry partners for three days of learning, networking, and collaboration.
Sponsorship Now Open
Sponsor registration opened last week, providing sponsors with early access to Trade Show booth selection and the ability to register for the conference at the time they confirm sponsorship. Sponsors also receive recognition in conference materials and other promotional benefits. Thank you to the members that have already secured their sponsorship and trade show booth!
Sponsorship priority for Trade Show booth selection is available until January 16, 2026.
General Registration & Accommodation Bookings Opens January 27
For all other delegates and exhibitors, general registration will open on January 27, 2026. Full conference packages include three days of sessions, meals, and entry to key events such as the Kick Off Event, the Trade Show Reception, and the Awards Dinner.
CWSAA has secured a group rate at two hotels in Whistler, starting at $159 + taxes. The group accommodation blocks and further info will be released on January 27 when registration opens.
Trade Show Highlights
The Trade Show remains a central feature of the conference, offering direct access to ski areas, suppliers, and partners. Meals are again hosted in the Trade Show to help drive delegate engagement.
New for 2026, Trade Show exhibitors will receive tickets to both the Kick Off Event and the Awards Dinner.
The booth fee is $1,650, and includes one individual registration for two days of sessions (April 28 & 29), conference meals, and event access.
Conference Rates
- Early Bird (until February 26): $800
- Full Rate (February 27–March 27): $850
- One Month to Go (March 28–April 17): $900
Program at a Glance
A detailed agenda will be published in early February. Key dates for planning include:
- April 27: Delegate check-in & Kick Off Event
- April 28: Sessions & evening Trade Show reception
- April 29: Sessions, Trade Show breakfast & lunch, Awards Dinner
- April 30: Sessions (concluding at 3:45 pm)
We look forward to welcoming the industry back to Whistler this spring. Further details and updates will be shared as planning continues.
Spring Conference Website
Speed & Collision Safety Initiative – New Tools Rolling Out for the Season
As ski areas welcome early-season guests, the industry’s focus on safe speeds and collision prevention continues to grow. This month, CWSAA is pleased to introduce a new educational tool to support on-hill conversations: the Speeding Ticket card.
The Speeding Ticket is designed as a discussion tool for Patrol and frontline staff to use when speed or behaviour concerns are identified. It provides a simple, respectful way to start a conversation and educate guests. The card includes the Alpine Responsibility Code on one side and a QR code linking to the Ride Another Day video, which features the tragic story of Elise Johnson, on the reverse. The card can also serve as an educational tool in proactive safety campaigns.
Two printable formats are available — a business-card size and a larger postcard — allowing ski areas to choose what works best for their operations. The files are now posted in the Member Resources section and can be printed through any local or online print shop. A big thank you to Inter-Mtn. Enterprises for their support in designing the card and the Snow Angel foundation for their leadership in the program.
As the season gets underway, many ski areas and industry partners have continued to share the Speed & Collision messaging through newsletters, staff orientations, and social channels. This alignment strengthens the collective effort to promote safer skiing and riding across the region.
CWSAA encourages all ski areas to access the available resources, and continue reinforcing safe speed and awareness as terrain opens. Every touchpoint — from Patrol interactions to signage and digital content — contributes to a consistent safety message for guests.
If you missed the speed & collision program launch, you can read the introductory article here: Building a Safety Culture – Join the Industry-Wide Initiative on Speed and Collision Safety
CWSAA Awards
There is only one month left to submit your nominations for the CWSAA 2026 Awards. This is a great opportunity to recognize a team member or an industry colleague for their exceptional contributions. Nominations will be accepted until January 15 for the following awards, which will be presented at the Spring Conference in April.
- Jim Marshall Leadership Award
- Lars Fossberg Excellence Award
- Rod Chisholm Operations & Maintenance Award
- CWSAA Peak Performance Awards
🔗 View more about the CWSAA awards HERE.
In addition to CWSAA's awards, there are a number of additional opportunities to recognize industry peers currently.
- TIABC 2026 BC Tourism Industry Awards. Nomination Deadline is December 19.
- CSA Group's 2026 Awards. Nomination deadline is January 15.
National Ski & Snowboard Day
National Ski & Snowboard Day returns on February 20, 2026, and the Canadian Ski Council is inviting ski areas across the country to take part in this year’s Winter Moves You initiative. Aligned with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s national Push-Up Challenge, the campaign highlights how winter movement—on snow —supports both physical and mental wellness.
This year’s date also marks the final weekend of the 2026 Winter Olympics, offering a natural moment to celebrate the strength of Canada’s winter sport community and encourage Canadians to get outside, be active, and stay connected.
Ski areas are encouraged to host simple on-hill activations such as push-up flash mobs, Winter Movement Moments, or group photos that showcase teams and guests embracing winter. Even small activations shared on social media channels—such as a staff group completing a push-up moment in their ski gear—support the national effort.
The CSC will provide turnkey mess
aging, assets, and social materials in the coming weeks. Ski areas can also share content for national amplification as CSC and CMHA build awareness leading into February.
CSC National Research Program 2025/26
The Canadian Ski Council’s National Research Program for 2025/26 is now underway. Ski areas that participate in the Canadian Lift Pass, Snow Start Kids Pass, or both CSC programs are automatically included in this research initiative.
The program uses two guest-facing surveys delivered through CSC’s automated post-visit system. The first is a quality survey that focusses on their experience at the ski area on the day of the visit. The second is sent out a few weeks later and is designed to gather profile information about the visitor and their family members. These results contribute to national, regional, and ski area-specific reports that will be published in spring 2026.
In the coming week, participating ski area’s designated contact will receive login information from FINO, CSC’s research partner, providing real-time access to your results dashboard. CSC staff are available throughout the season to review findings or support your team in using the data effectively.
To help strengthen your results sample, CSC has created a guest-facing link that ski areas can share through email, social media, or other channels. Regular promotion is encouraged to maximize participation.
Selkirk College Ski Industry Programs
Selkirk College continues to play a central role in developing talent for the ski industry through its full-time Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) program and flexible online course offerings.
Online Ski Industry Courses
SNOW 156 – Ski Resort Risk Management (Jan 19 – Apr 13, 2026)
Time-sensitive: this course is only offered once per year!
SNOW 156 is a 12-week online course designed for individuals with risk management responsibilities in a ski resort environment. Offered annually starting in late January, the course uses case studies and guided discussions to explore how ski areas assess and manage day-to-day operational risks.
Because the course relies on real-world scenarios and workplace-based assignments, participants actively working in the industry will be best positioned to complete the coursework and engage in online discussions. With only one intake each year, early registration is encouraged.
🔗 View SNOW 156 course details and register
Passenger Ropeways Online Courses
Congratulations to all the students who completed the Fall semester of Passenger Ropeways courses. The courses are offered three times a year and online format provide a flexible learning format for ski industry staff.
The Winter Passenger Ropeways courses are open for registration and run from January 5 to April 13, 2026.
- Lift 151 – Surface Passenger Ropeways and Passenger Conveyors
- Lift 152 – Aerial Fixed Grip Passenger Ropeways
- Lift 153 – Aerial Detachable Grip Passenger Ropeways
These courses offer practical training that supports on-the-job learning. It's not too late to join this semester!
🔗 View Lift 151-153 course details and register
Small Ski Area Scholarships
Selkirk College offers scholarships to employees of small ski areas (under 20,000 annual visits). Up to five small ski area employees can receive a 50% discount on Lift 151 or 152 tuition.
Lift 150 – Train the Trainer (Ongoing Intake)
Designed for experienced lift operations personnel, Lift 150 – Train the Trainer supports in-house leadership in lift operations training. The course is offered through ongoing intake and can be started at any time between August and March. This is a great resource for staff leading training programs at their ski areas, and a regulatory requirement in some jurisdictions.
Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum
Spotlight: Rabbit Hill Snow Resort
The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum recently profiled Rabbit Hill Snow Resort in its Community Ski Areas series, highlighting the people and vision behind one of Alberta’s long-standing ski operations.
Rabbit Hill’s story began in 1955 when Bob Sutherland identified the site while canoeing the North Saskatchewan River. He leased the land and installed the first rope tow using an old milk truck. Over the years, Bob expanded terrain, added lifts, and introduced early snowmaking to strengthen the resort’s reliability during variable winters.
Leadership transitioned in the early 1980s to Bob’s son, Jim Sutherland, and partner Bill Oak, who continued to grow the hill’s facilities and reputation as a welcoming, community-focused destination for local families and developing skiers.
In 2023, ownership moved to Rabbit Hill's General Manager Derek Look, Chuck Amerongen (Rabbit Hill's Chief Accountant) along with their families. Derek’s operational experience has supported ongoing improvements, including RFID access and new tubing offerings. The resort now operates nine lifts and 11 runs across roughly 40 acres.
The full article is available through the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum and is a great look at the legacy and continued evolution of Rabbit Hill.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Classifieds
Used Ski Area Uniforms Available
RED Mountain (Rossland) has a selection of used Helly Hansen uniforms available in various styles and colours. All pieces include existing logos that would need to be covered or removed by the receiving ski area.
While there is no set price, a small contribution toward the uniforms would be welcome by RED. Shipping or pickup arrangements are the responsibility of the receiving ski area.
See attached for more details, please contact Andrew Lunt, GM of RED Mountain.
Make Holiday Celebrations a Safer Space for Everyone
Holiday gatherings are a valued part of the season in Tourism & Hospitality, giving teams a rare chance to connect outside the pace of service. But these celebrations can also create situations where boundaries blur, especially when alcohol and social settings shift the tone of the workplace. For employers, this is an important moment to ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.
go2HR’s Safer Spaces training was created specifically for industry workplaces. It helps employers and workers recognize what sexual harassment can look like in dynamic environments, not only the obvious behaviours, but the subtle, easily missed actions that can escalate if left unaddressed. The free online course walks participants through how to identify risks, respond to disclosures, and support workers who come forward, while also helping employers build prevention procedures that work in real, day-to-day operations.
Plus, beginning in 2026, go2HR is expanding its support with new tools, including an Investigations Training Course to guide employers through disclosures and formal reports, and Employer Advisory Services offering scripts, templates, and a practical roadmap for implementing a complete harassment-prevention program.
As your workplace prepares for holiday events, completing the Safer Spaces employer training -and enrolling staff in the worker version- is a proactive step toward ensuring celebrations are safe, inclusive, and positive for everyone.
🔗 Learn More about Safer Spaces and Register Today
New AI HR Resource Launched by TIAA
The Tourism Industry Association of Alberta has launched Kate, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered portal that provides access to human resources information specific to Alberta. The tool draws on more than 80 sources, including regulatory requirements, association guidance, and related reference materials.
Kate can be used to quickly research employment standards and support tasks such as drafting employment contracts or other HR documents—often reducing hours of work to just minutes.
🔗 Learn more & try it out HERE.
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: drivingforce.ca
For Leasing enquiries CONTACT Jordan:
(306) 261-6110 or JArsenault@drivingforce.ca
Driving Force has locations across western Canada to serve the ski industry.
CWSAA has been all over the west this Fall as ski areas prepare to open and have their first days of the season. Pictured here: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (BC).
Quality Tires at an affordable price
Good tires are important for everyone in the ski industry!
Learn More about Kal Tire's current promotions
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100% Price Match Guarantee
Kal Tire matches any eligible competitor’s quote for the purchase of four eligible passenger or light truck tires. Learn More.
Places & Faces
Tim Dea of Snow Valley (Edmonton) will be retiring this month. Tim has been a public face of Snow Valley for many years and has co-chaired the CWSAA Alberta marketing committee – thank you Tim for your service.
Manning Park's new Whiskey Jack carpet will service the novice area as well as their new tube park.
Vista Ridge’s new LED lighting project is a strong example of climate action in the ski sector, cutting energy use and emissions while improving night-skiing reliability. Photo taken Nov 30 during snowmaking (its a colour photo!). Learn more.
Congratulations to Canyon Ski Resort. Located just east of Red Deer, and a frequent host of CWSAA fall meetings, Canyon Ski Resort was a Resilience Award finalists for the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta GRIT Awards. Canyon was recognized on the big screen in front of industry for its continued diversification into a year round operation and it often cited by the provincial government as a model within Alberta’s tourism industry.
Family and industry gathered to say thank you to Lone and Peter Harding at their retirement celebration last month. The couple served generations of families at Fairmont Hot Springs ski area. Lone worked at the ski area for 46 years, managing the rental shop for most of those years, and Peter served as the ski area’s General Manager.
Happy Birthday Eddie! The team at Mt. Seymour were creative with their birthday decorations of General Manager Eddie Wood’s office. Joining Eddie in the photo is Dennis Watson, Isabel Salles-Westphalen, and new co-chair of the CWSAA Snow Sports Committee Robbie Carter (Robbie co-chairs with Colleen Collison of Sunshine Village).
Powder King Mountain Resort in the Pine Pass of BC knows how to put on a staff day. There are many areas in the west that only operate on select days of the week. On one of these non-operation days, Powder King loaded their staff to the top of the mountain, then ran their upper Tbar lift for exclusive staff use. And oh yeah – it was a 50cm powder day!!! Owner Hiedi Salisbury called it ‘stupid snow.’
CWSAA Spring Conference planning is well underway. The annual "Tetris" day, is when the team gathers to review all the proposed topics and try and fit everything into the most logical schedule. The goal is to provide great content for 3 full days for every individual/role attending the conference. It's always a puzzle to determine which sessions should occur concurrently.