Message from the President
CWSAA and many of its members are part of the Canadian Ski Council (CSC) which is an organisation dedicated to growing the number of snowsports participants. This month, the organisation met to identify the opportunities and plan an industry road map for continued growth. In the 2022/23 season, Canadian ski areas attracted over 21 million skier visits. Of those, over 19 million were domestic visits and represented a high water mark. Over the past few years many first-timers were motivated and drawn to outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding. This provided and still provides an opportunity to introduce snowsports to new markets, and re-engage some of those that had left the sport.
The challenge before us is to retain our existing guests, primarily through exceptional service and experience, and also motivate and welcome newcomers into skiing and snowboarding. As presented in this newsletter, the CSC has recently published its industry Facts and Stats, which serves as the data driven foundation for many industry-wide initiatives to support skier visit growth.
What may be less know is that the national programs such as Never Ever Days and SnowPass serve multiple purposes. Motivating a first, second, or third time visit is a common objective. However they also serve as powerful messages to media, government, and other influencers on the sector’s efforts to make skiing and snowboarding accessible. When industry is challenged such as citing the high cost of the sport, these kinds of programs demonstrate industry commitment and provide a positive perspective. The CSC welcomes feedback on the existing programs like Never Ever and SnowPass to ensure these objectives and ski area needs continue to be met.
On a closing note, and as someone that spent many years working outside at ski areas, I wanted to say thank you to all the ski area employees on behalf of CWSAA. I can recall in years past many dreamy moments when the weather was at its best. Conversely, there were times when the weather was less hospitable. It is during these periods that our teams dig deeper to create guest experiences and memories. CWSAA appreciates all the teams that make our industry possible. We especially want to recognise the outdoor teams and thank them for their commitment and dedication through mid-winter conditions.
- Cheers, Christopher
2024 CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show
April 21-24, 2024
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta
General Conference Registration opens on Monday January 22
- Full Conference Registration early bird rate: $650 per person + taxes & credit card processing fees.
- Small Ski Areas may apply for the Small Areas Assistance fund to attend the conference. The deadline to apply is January 31.
Accommodation:
- Room rates start at $199 per night + a $16/night Resort Fee + taxes. For 'Run of the House' room, with 1 guest the room rate will show as $215 per night, which includes the $16 Resort Fee.
- Complimentary self-parking.
- Please note, Wednesday April 24, 2024 is currently sold out. Wednesday's program is scheduled to end at 4:30 pm, with no evening activities. If you wish to stay at JPL for April 24, please make your reservation for the available dates, then contact JPL Reservations at 780-852-6044, and ask to be put on the waitlist for the night of April 24, 2024. We have heard many delegates wish to spend some time in the town of Jasper and will check out on April 24 and spend that evening in Jasper.
- Please only book the rooms/nights you require, as there is limited availability. Only 1 room can be booked at a time, please book under the attendees name for each room booked.
CWSAA 2024 Awards - Accepting Nominations until February 7
Each year, CWSAA recognizes incredible industry leaders during our annual Spring Conference.
Nominations for the following 2024 CWSAA Awards must be submitted by February 7, 2024 to marketing@cwsaa.org. Download the Awards nominations packages HERE (CWSAA website login required)
- Jim Marshall Leadership Award
- Lars Fossberg Excellence Award
- Rod Chisholm Operations & Maintenance Award
- CWSAA Peak Performance Award
Please note, the Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a recipient identified by the Board of Directors. It may or may not be presented annually.
More information on the CWSAA Awards can be found HERE. The 2024 recipients will be honored at the 2024 CWSAA Spring Conference in Jasper on April 23, 2024.
Continuing Education
Selkirk College Ski Industry Courses
Passenger Ropeways Mechanics: The Lift 151, Lift 152 and Lift 153 are all self directed. The Winter intake is now open and runs from January 8 to April 10, 2024.
Ski Resort Risk Management: Registration for the Winter 2024 Semester is open now. The winter course starts January 22 and runs until April 15, 2024.
Train the Trainer - LIFT 150: Ski Lift Operations Train-the-Trainer is designed to help ski lift supervisors or managers, develop a comprehensive program for training ski lift operators. This program is an online self-directed program, and has a continuous intake until March 1. Participants can start anytime and have 3 weeks to complete the content and the exam.
Learn More & Register HERE
Webinar Series: Building Psychologically Safe Ski Workplaces
January 25, 1pm PST: Identifying Psychological (Mental Health) Hazards & Mitigating Risks
Join go2HR for an informative and interactive session designed to help ski employers and managers create and maintain psychologically safe workplaces. During the webinar, participants will learn how to identify, and assess psychological hazards both on and off the slopes, and how to incorporate corresponding mitigative strategies into their existing occupational health and safety program, ultimately leading to a psychologically safer workplace.
February 1, 1pm PST: Supporting Employee Mental Health Through Post-Injury Recovery/Return to Work
Physical workplace injuries, regardless of severity, can also impact the injured worker’s mental health. Similarly, witnesses or others in the workplace may also be affected. Ski employers, managers, and supervisors can significantly reduce the psychological impact that physical injuries have on injured workers and others by recognizing and understanding the potential impacts and how to support them. During the webinar, participants will learn about the various factors that can affect the mental health of an injured worker (e.g. type of injury experienced, where they are in their recovery timeline) and their potential impact an individual’s recovery/return to work. Participants will gain insights, tips and resources that they can use to support their employees' mental health and safety, post-injury, as they recover and return to work.
To Register, Login to the CWSAA website and then use the registration link HERE.
2023 Canadian Ski Industry Facts & Stats
Did you know – By participating in the Canadian Lift Pass funding program for the Canadian Ski Council (CSC), a ski area becomes a member of the CSC, granting access to valuable research, including the latest 2023 Canadian Ski Industry Facts & Stats. This report outlines demographic trends impacting the ski and snowboard industry nationwide. See an overview of the 2023 Facts & Stats HERE.
The Facts & Stats data is a foundational look at the Canadian ski industry. The report allows ski areas to gain valuable insights, make informed decisions and drive improvements across various aspects of your ski area operation.
3 valuable reasons why a ski area should access the Canadian Ski Council’s research program.
- Strategic Decision Making - Management and team can analyze the research to make strategic decisions based on evidence rather than intuition. This could involve market analysis, identifying growth opportunities, understanding customer behaviour, and optimizing resource allocation.
- Performance Evaluation and Optimization – Using the research to evaluate a ski areas performance across different key performance indicators (KPIs). Identifying areas of improvement, optimizing processes, and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Customer Insights & Personalization – The CSC’s research program provides valuable insights into customer preferences, behaviours, and feedback. By understanding customer trends and preferences, ski areas can tailor their products and services, personalize marketing strategies, and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Interested in receiving your full copy of the Facts & Stats, reach out to programsupport@skicanada.org
CWSAA and go2HR have compiled a valuable library of safety and HR resources for the ski industry. Some may be used for on-boarding, others are good for pre-shift huddles.
Find the resources HERE
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: www.drivingforce.ca
For Leasing enquiries CONTACT Jordan:
(306) 261-6110 or JArsenault@drivingforce.ca
Plus, Save 10% on vehicle rentals with code "CWSAA"
Quality Tires at an affordable price
Learn More about Kal Tire's current promotions HERE.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Places & Faces