President's Message
Long Lake Ski Area, Alberta
Whether you were in Whistler for the Invictus Games, or caught some of the stories online or through the Invictus Daily Show, I hope you had an opportunity to ‘feel’ the Games and athlete stories. As I watched some of the coverage, I admit feeling emotional. Kate Roddick of Whistler Blackcomb used the word ‘remarkable’ to describe the Games. As someone that has been part of many organising teams for massive events, Kate said Invictus was extraordinary because of how the power of sport is used for recovery. Pure inspiration!
The media reporting of the Games not only highlighted the benefits of snowsports, but also the critical importance of adaptive programmes and how they enable accessibility to the outdoors. These initiatives improve our industry and offers ski areas another pathway to better serve our communities. Congratulations to the organising committee, volunteers, and Whistler Blackcomb for hosting an amazing display for snowsports, and thank you to the many ski areas and groups that support and make snowsport accessibility possible on a daily basis.
The timing of these Games is noteworthy. The warm welcome extended to US athletes, including a powerful message from BC Premier David Eby, was a reminder of the deep ties between Canada and the US. Over the past two weeks, CWSAA polled a cross-section of ski areas in relation to Canada and US trade impacts. Understandably, most believed it too early to say with conviction what may lie ahead. The responses suggest most do not anticipate a material impact to skier visits through the balance of this winter. In the mid-term, potential procurement challenges are on the radar, which aligns with all other industries when planning capital projects and major investments.
The responses also highlighted the importance of US visitors to the Canadian tourism economy. While Canadian discourse is largely focused on impacts to Canada, tourism operators also recognise the divide within US public sentiment around recent decisions. While many things may be out of our control, ski areas continue to focus on maintaining a warm welcome for all visitors. Friendly hospitality remains a pillar of the Canadian brand, and presently, operators are able to leverage multi-resort lift passes and favourable currency exchange rates.
As a final comment, CWSAA and the multiple conference organising committees would like to thank the members within our industry that have stepped forward to support the Spring Conference in April. Combined with the large floor space at the Penticton venue, planners have been able to add new elements to this coming conference. Our thanks for the solid backing.
Cheers,
Christopher
Industry Events
2025 CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show
April 28 - May 1, 2025 | Penticton, BC
✨Registration is now open! Full Conference Early Bird rates are only available until February 27: $650
Full Conference Package includes:
- 3-days of sessions, breakfast, lunch & coffee breaks
- Admission to:
- Kick Off Event (April 28)
- Trade Show Reception (April 29)
- Awards Dinner (April 30)
➕ Add-on Options:
- Golf Tournament - (April 28, 1:00 pm) $75
- Guest Social event tickets (note a ticket for each of these events is included with full conference registration):
- April 28 Kick Off Event: $60
- April 29 Trade Show Reception: $60
- April 30 Awards Dinner: $100
All fees are subject to GST & a 1.9% processing fee.
🔗 Learn more about registration and rates HERE.
📅 Schedule at a Glance
- Monday April 28 - Golf Tournament 1pm tee-off (optional), Delegate Check-in & Kick Off Event (5:30 - 8:30pm)
- Tuesday April 29 - sessions, Trade Show evening reception
- Wednesday April 30 - sessions, Trade Show breakfast & lunch, Awards Dinner
- Thursday May 1 - Full day of sessions
Supporting Small Ski Areas: A Collaborative Industry Effort
CWSAA is proud to support small ski areas through various initiatives, including the Small Areas Assistance Fund. Each spring, the CWSAA Spring Conference Silent Auction raises funds for this program, directly benefiting small ski areas that are vital to our industry and local communities.
The goal this year is $20,000, and we need your help to reach it! Members are invited to pledge to donate items for the Silent Auction. We’re looking for items that will create excitement and inspire friendly bidding competition at the event. Some popular ideas include: tools, electronics, industry products/equipment, gift certificates, experiences, gift baskets etc. Please note that size-specific clothing and discount cards are not ideal for this auction. You can pledge your Silent Auction item HERE.
Why does this matter? Because your contributions make a real difference.
We recently received a letter from Summit Lake Ski Area, a small community ski hill in Nakusp (BC), thanking the industry for its generous support during a difficult season. Despite experiencing their worst season on record last year with only two weeks of operation, Summit Lake found creative ways to thank their loyal members and rallied support from other ski areas to make it happen.
Here’s what Rob Stevens, representing Summit Lake Ski Area, had to say:
On behalf of the Nakusp Ski Club and Summit Lake Ski Area, I would like to publicly thank a few people for their generous support for our little ski area.
Summit Lake is has been operating as a non profit society since the official opening February 26, 1961. For 64 years our hill has been able to operate due to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, as well as support from various local businesses, the regional district, Columbia Basin Trust, and other local organizations.
Last year was by far the worst season on record, with only 2 weeks of operation. Yet we still had to cover the cost of opening, fuel tanks were filled, insurance paid (a real killer of an expense), TSBC fees, training and set up. We had members who did not even have a chance to pick up their season passes before we were forced to shut down.
I would like to thank the ski areas that allowed our pass holders to still use their passes for reciprocal rates even though we were not open.
Obviously refunding those passes is not possible for any ski area, we had to come up with something for our members.
We decided to do a raffle for those members who bought passes last year, with those passes being their ticket for the raffle. There were no other ticket’s available for purchase. It was not a raffle for the club to make money on but something for those folks who support our club.
I am happy to say that the areas we reached out to did not hesitate to step forward with prizes.
- I would like to thank Tim Foster and Sun Peaks Resort for the ski /accommodation package.
- Thank you to Rebeckah Hornung and your connections for the 2 ski packages offered up.
- Red Mountain’s Chelsea Weisgerber and Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Jordan’s Murray for the multiple day passes.
Our members also thank you, especially those who won!
Thank You,
Rob Stevens
Nakusp Ski Club / Summit Lake Ski Area
Summit Lake is just one example of how this industry works together to support one another, especially when times are tough. Your support of the Silent Auction at this year’s Spring Conference helps ensure that more small ski areas like Summit Lake can continue to thrive.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and collaboration. We can’t wait to see you at the conference.
Selkirk College Programs
SROAM 2-year diploma program now open for registration for September 2025.
If you're passionate about advancing your career in the ski industry, the Ski Resort Operations and Management (SROAM) program at Selkirk College offers a comprehensive pathway to leadership roles.
Over the past few months ski industry colleagues have been sharing great stories through their social media accounts, websites and newsletters about their experiences from the SROAM program, like this interview with SROAM student and PSIC member Emily Lockwood and PSIC's Jeff Marks.
Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The two-year diploma program covers key areas such as tourism marketing, customer service, human resources, lift operations, grooming, snowmaking, risk management, and resort communications.
- Hands-On Learning: Engage in field trips to various ski regions across Western Canada, providing direct exposure to resort operations and networking opportunities with industry professionals.
- Paid Work Term: Participate in a 21-week paid practicum, allowing you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings and gain valuable industry experience.
- Transferable Credits: The curriculum includes articulated business and tourism courses transferable to colleges and universities across British Columbia, offering flexibility for further education.
Located in Nelson, BC, the program places you at the heart of mountain culture, with easy access to world-class ski resorts to enhance your skills and industry connections.
🔗For more information on the SROAM program and application details, please visit: selkirk.ca/ski
Selkirk College Online Ski Industry Courses
Lift 150 Train the Trainer is in the final intake for the 2024/25 season. Registration will close mid March and reopen again at the end of the summer. This is an important online course designed to support lift supervisors or managers develop a comprehensive program for training their operators. Used across Canada to prepare supervisors and managers as trainers, Lift 150 is currently required for certification by Technical Safety BC (TSBC) for all passenger ropeway trainers in British Columbia. This program is self-paced and estimated at 20 hours, plus an exam at the end (accredited exam invigilator required).
SNOW 156 – Ski Resort Risk Management is a 12-week online course. This online course is designed for people currently working in a ski resort environment with risk management responsibilities. The program teaches students to assess and manage the risks ski areas face on a day-to-day basis using actual case studies and online discussions about current industry issues and solutions. The course started on January 20, however, self-starters who can dedicate time to quickly catch up may still be able to join.
Passenger Ropeways/lift courses (Lift 151, Lift 152 &Lift 153) - The winter semester is now underway and runs until April 14 with plenty of time to still work through the course and prepare for the final exams on April 15-17.
🔗 Learn More about the online courses & Register HERE
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Responsible Stewardship Showcase
Rabbit Hill Snow Resort’s Upcycled Uniform Initiative
Rabbit Hill Snow Resort in Edmonton exemplifies responsible stewardship in the ski industry with its innovative upcycling program. Recognizing the environmental impact of discarded uniforms, the resort partnered with Blenderz Garment Recyclers in Edmonton to give these items a second life. Retired uniforms are transformed into practical accessories, including headbands, cross-body bags, tote bags, and duffel bags.
This initiative not only reduces textile waste but also celebrates the resort’s history by incorporating unique elements from the original garments into each product. These one-of-a-kind items are available for purchase at Rabbit Hill.
Rabbit Hill’s approach is a great example of how ski areas can have a meaningful impact on reducing waste while promoting sustainability.
Read about Rabbit Hill's upcycling project HERE.
Learn more about initiative ski areas can take in the Responsible Stewardship Playbook.
OHS COR: The Power of Self-Assessment in Building a Safer Workplace
The OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) Certificate of Recognition (COR) program is a set of guidelines designed to help businesses create safer work environments. It focuses on ensuring that workplaces have the necessary systems and practices in place to prevent injuries, accidents, and health risks for employees.
For ski areas, which can have unique hazards like high-altitude weather, equipment, and outdoor terrain, the OHS COR program is especially useful. Here’s how:
- Structured Safety Management: The program helps ski areas set up a clear structure to manage safety. This includes things like identifying potential hazards, setting safety policies, training staff, and creating emergency procedures.
- Risk Identification and Mitigation: Ski areas face many risks, like icy slopes, machinery, and large crowds. The OHS COR program helps identify these risks and develop steps to reduce them—whether it's through better equipment checks or extra training for staff.
- Compliance with Regulations: The program ensures that ski areas meet all legal safety requirements in Alberta and BC, helping them avoid penalties or accidents that could arise from non-compliance.
- Continuous Improvement: The program encourages ongoing safety improvements. As ski areas grow or face new challenges (like extreme weather), they can continually adjust and enhance their safety measures.
Self-Assessment Tool Benefits for Ski Areas:
The Self-Assessment Tool is a way for ski areas to evaluate how well they’re doing with their health and safety practices. It’s like a checklist that helps them see what areas are doing great and which ones need work. Here’s how it helps:
- Identifying Gaps: The tool helps ski areas spot safety gaps they might not have noticed. For example, they might discover a need for more training on new equipment or improved communication during bad weather.
- Improvement Plan: After completing the self-assessment, ski areas can create a plan to address the gaps, making sure they continually improve safety over time.
- Cost-Effective: It’s a low-cost way to keep track of safety, without the need for expensive consultants or inspections. Ski areas can use the tool regularly to stay on top of safety.
- Boost Staff Confidence: When employees see their ski area actively working on safety through assessments and improvements, they’ll feel more secure and confident in their workplace.
In summary, the OHS COR program, along with the Self-Assessment Tool, helps ski areas in Alberta and BC create safer, more compliant environments, identify potential risks early, and maintain a culture of continuous safety improvement. It’s an important way to protect workers and guests while keeping operations smooth and efficient.
There are many resources for ski areas interested in taking the first step:
- go2HR offers a number of courses and tools to prepare for COR.
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: drivingforce.ca
For Leasing enquiries CONTACT Jordan:
(306) 261-6110 or JArsenault@drivingforce.ca
Tawatinaw Ski Area, Alberta
Quality Tires at an affordable price
Good winter tires are important for everyone in the ski industry!
Learn More about Kal Tire's current promotions
HERE.
Resources for Non-Profits
The Alberta Non-profit Learning Centre (NPLC) provides a collection of resources to support organizations with governance, operations, program delivery and services in the community.
They offer regular FREE webinars on topics such as Financial Responsibilities, Committees and Meetings, and Building Strong Teams. They also offer courses and resources.
Critical Incident Stress Management Mountain Community
CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) support is provided by peers, trained by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and is designed for fast relief in the 24-72 hours following critical incidents.
The Mountain Community CISM Team is available for resorts in the time immediately following an incident.
You can find information to print and display in your staff rooms at this Google Drive link (pay special attention to the CISM Brochures) PUBLIC - Print Materials and Resources - Google Drive
🔗 General information can be found on the CISM team website: Mountain Community CISM Team.
General inquiries should be forwarded directly to the CISM team coordinators at hello@mountaincism.ca.
The CISM Team is standing by for your call should you need them. To request a dispatch, call them at (604) - 670 - 2772.
Places & Faces
Last week, a number of ski areas participated in the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA) Conference - pictured left to right: Simon Moffatt (Norquay), Jason Tamagi (Sunshine), Dean Prentice (Castle), Brian Rode (Marmot), Jason Paterson (Marmot)
Whistler Blackcomb’s Kate Roddick (CWSAA BCY Division Chair) stands proudly with Christine Cogger (Invictus organizing committee) and Omer Dagan (Whistler Blackcomb). The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 were hosted between February 8 – 16, 2025
Over the last decade, Eastlink Park in Whitecourt Alberta has continually expanded to now include a Tbar, conveyor lift, and tubing lanes. Thanks to Rebecca (Manager), Christine, and Judah for touring CWSAA around the immaculately groomed and contoured slopes.
There are many incredible volunteer Boards across our industry. The Directors at Tawatinaw Valley ski area north of Edmonton constitute one such group. Wendy (President), Brian and Reint are part of the society that offers downhill, cross country, skating, and tubing at the ski area.
For the record…Derek Look, one of the owners of Rabbit Hill near Edmonton, is an amazing skier. CWSAA tried to catch up with him for a run while benchmarking other ski areas…we never caught him.
SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon BC under the lights offers a magical setting. The resort recently hosted its classic “Over the Hill Downhill” event. The race itself is a big attraction. So too is the track that attracts competitive and recreational racers for training camps in the week before the event.