President's Message
Christopher visited Mt Cain last week for some tbar laps in the sun with several of their incredibly dedicated volunteers.
The advent of social media General Manager celebrities has been fun to watch across ski country and revealed many hidden talents. Scott from Troll, Darian from Fairview, James from Apex, and many others have generated strong followings. On recent visits to Mount Cain and Mount Washington this past week, I spent time with Mike Manara, whose energy and enthusiasm for the industry practically jumps through the computer screen on Mt Washington's social channels. It’s been wonderful to see the personality and passion from so many within the ski community.
It is always a challenge to summarise western Canadian year-to-date performance in one succinct comment. The geography and regional variation are too great. We can report that most areas operated during the Christmas holiday period, and snow arrived for most in meaningful amounts to allow for strong holiday visitation. Some regions have experienced record snow levels and generated positive market momentum for visits to western Canada. There is also recognition of lost days due to cold at some areas, and a mild mid-January for others. As the middle of the season comes into view, industry is forecasting robust visitation through the balance of the winter as market forces continue to draw international visitors to Canada, and domestic and regional visits remain strong.
Planning for the Spring Conference in Whistler 2026 is in full flow, in preparation for registration opening next week. Lessons from this winter are being woven into the agenda, alongside priorities from member and industry committees. Thank-you to many for the high level of engagement - whether through sponsorship, committee work, or agenda and content development.
CWSAA is excited to announce that Johnathan Clarkson has joined the association to help with key initiatives over the next four months. Johnathan recently relocated from Nitehawk Ski Area to the BC Interior and brings expertise, knowledge, and operational experience to the team. Part of Johnathan’s role is executing several online information sessions for CWSAA members. More details will be sent in the coming days.
In February, the Olympics will showcase our many sport disciplines. CWSAA members know that the CWSAA Competitor Pass is designed to support and enable competitive sport development for young athletes. CWSAA wishes to thank all ski areas for their continued support, and leave you with part of a message that the CWSAA office received from a parent. “We are so grateful for this canwest pass for him and the opportunities he has been able to experience … His passion for snowboarding and seeing the growth this year already is incredible. Thank you from a mom who’s working hard to pay for these things for my kids to experience and not miss out :)”
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
Industry Events
CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show
April 27–30, 2026 | Whistler, BC
General Registration & Accommodation Bookings Opens January 27
General registration will open next week on January 27, 2026 at 9am Pacific (10am Mountain). 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.
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)
Small Areas Assistance
Ski Areas with less than 20,000 skier visits may apply for funding support of up to $2000 per year to attend CWSAA events. The deadline to apply for funding support for the 2026 Spring Conference is January 30, 2026. Learn More HERE.
Lift Tickets
Whistler Blackcomb is graciously offering 50% off lift tickets for conference attendees. See important details HERE.
Spring Conference Website
Conference Keynote Speaker: Scott Kress
Tuesday, April 28 | 9:00 AM
We’re excited to kick off the conference this year with keynote speaker Scott Kress, a leadership and high-performance team expert with a rare blend of academic depth and real-world expedition experience.
Scott is the President of Summit Team Building and a highly respected leadership trainer, author, and keynote speaker who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and leading educational institutions around the world. He teaches leadership and high-performance team development in MBA and Executive MBA programs and has received multiple teaching awards, including Professor of the Year.
Beyond the classroom, Scott brings nearly 30 years of experience leading adventure expeditions globally. He is one of fewer than 300 people to have climbed the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest, and is one of only 33 international Polar Guides worldwide. He was recently elected to the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
Scott’s keynote will draw on both research-based leadership theory and lived experience to explore what it takes to build resilient, high-performing teams—especially in demanding and dynamic environments.
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 participate.
National Ski & Snowboard Day (NSSD) celebrates alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding across Canada. The 2026 Winter Moves You theme highlights how staying active in winter—even in small ways—can support mental well-being. This year's event is a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. This is a low-barrier, awareness-first initiative, and participation can be simple.
Ideas ski areas may wish to consider include:
- Group Photo - Take a simple ‘Winter Moves You’ group photo at the base area or another safe spot.
- Winter Movement Moments - Invite guests and staff to share how they move in winter - skiing, snowboarding, walking, snowshoeing, skating, playing outside.
- Group Push-Up Moment - Gather a small group and do a short push-up set together (modified options welcome).
- Winter Movement Flash Mob - A quick, visible movement moment in the base area (push-ups, squats, warm-up movements) on Feb 20.
- Awareness-Only Participation - Post a winter movement photo or video.
- Optional Donations - Participants may donate directly to CMHA if they choose. Donation is not required to participate.
Even small activations shared on social media help support the national effort.
🔗 Learn More: https://www.skicanada.org/national-ski-snowboard-day/
🔗 The Canadian Ski Council has provided turnkey messaging for ski areas, found HERE.
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 (January 19 – April 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
The Winter Passenger Ropeways courses run now until April 13. These courses offer practical training that supports on-the-job learning. The online flexible learning format means you can join at anytime during the semester!
- Lift 151 – Surface Passenger Ropeways and Passenger Conveyors
- Lift 152 – Aerial Fixed Grip Passenger Ropeways
- Lift 153 – Aerial Detachable Grip Passenger Ropeways
🔗 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 each semester.
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: Mission Ridge
Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum is spotlighting Mission Ridge Winter Park, a Saskatchewan community ski area with an outsized impact on Canadian skiing and snowboarding. Founded in 1972 by Fort Qu’Appelle hotelier John Smith, Mission Ridge opened with 12 runs, two T-bars, a rope tow, and a day lodge. John was an early pioneer of snowmaking and snow farming in Western Canada, helping ensure reliable seasons on the Prairies.
In 2001, John’s son Mike Smith purchased the ski area and led a period of significant growth, including a major lodge expansion, wider trails, terrain parks, ski tuning services, and the relocation of a triple chair from Calgary Olympic Park. Mission Ridge has also produced world-class athletes, including 1984 Paralympic slalom bronze medalist Murray Bedel, 2018 Paralympic sit-ski gold medalist Kurt Oatway, and Canadian snowboarding legends Craig and Mark McMorris.
🔗 The full article is available through the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum website.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Start 2026 Strong: Book a Free Winter JHSC Drop-In Session
A strong start sets the tone for the year, and in Tourism & Hospitality, health and safety must stay front and centre from day one. As operations continue and plans take shape for the months ahead, now is the right time to refocus your Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) and reinforce safe, effective practices that support successful operations.
go2HR’s free, expert-led JHSC Drop-in Sessions are designed to help committees stay engaged, informed, and confident in their role. These 30-minute, practical sessions can be added to your regular JHSC meetings, either virtually or in person, and are tailored to real-world challenges across BC’s Tourism & Hospitality industry.
Each session utilizes relatable industry examples and interactive discussions to help committee members better understand their responsibilities, address current hazards, and enhance both occupational and psychological health and safety awareness. The result is a committee that’s more effective, more confident, and better equipped to act.
Winter-relevant topics include managing snow and ice hazards, preventing cold stress and hypothermia, supporting staff after a critical incident, and addressing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
If 2026 is the year you want to turn your JHSC into a health and safety powerhouse, this is a practical place to start.
🔗 Book your free JHSC Drop-in Session today
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.
Early morning views from Marmot Basin of Jasper. Driving Force vehicles are very prevalent in Marmot Basin's fleet.
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
Johnathan Clarkson recently stepped down from the CWSAA Board following his departure from Nitehawk and a move to Kamloops.
CWSAA is excited to share that Johnathan will continue to support the industry, with CWSAA contracting him for part-time support on conference planning and other industry initiatives through April 2026. We’re grateful to continue benefiting from his experience and energy during this important period.
Lake Louise's newest terrain expansion Richardson’s Ridge is now open. The first phase of the expansion includes the new Richardson’s Ridge Express detachable high-speed quad and five new beginner and intermediate runs and cruisy, natural glades.
Congratulations to Randi-Lee Clarkson, GM of Sunridge on the birth of her son Emmett. Emmett is now 3 months old, and remarkably Randi-Lee is back full-time at Sunridge while Logan (Randi-Lee's husband, pictured left) is home with Emmett.
Matic Vecko and Charmaine Schenstead of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing outside the Albreda Lodge with Christopher Nicolson.
It is with sadness to share news of the passing of John Worrall. He was known to many in industry through his significant contributions over many years at Lake Louise. Our thoughts are with his family and the many friends and lives that John touched. View Obituary.
The Clearwater Ski Hill, located 90 minute north of Kamloops BC, is operated by a volunteer non-profit society. It opened this season with its surface tow lift servicing children from throughout the community.
Volunteer Director Tyler Field surveys his many run options from the top of the non-profit society operated Mt. Cain ski area on Vancouver Island. The area has two Tbars, one handle tow, daylodge and over 50 cabins and staff accommodation.
This winter Tidbits of Change father-daughter duo, Greg Scott and Hali ScottSmith are skiing Saskatchewan. They kicked off their tour at Table Mountain on December 29, and are visiting all the ski areas, including some of the historic areas no longer operating.
Mike Manara, General Manager of Mt. Washington on Vancouver Island, stands proudly between his Lars Fossberg Award received in 2015, and yes, an original and Jimmie Spencer approved ‘plaque’ for outstanding service to industry.