Over the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting with many ski areas on their home turf. These have included private family run operations and many volunteer run community ski areas. In all cases, the dedication and passion to their ski areas and communities is inspiring. I’ve shared a profile of each of the areas on the CWSAA Facebook if you would like to see the operations and meet these great people. While travelling between these areas I had time to reflect on the breadth of our CWSAA membership. When I joined CWSAA in my current role in 2016, I had the fortune of gaining counsel from legendary CEO Jimmie Spencer for a couple years before his passing, and indeed I continue to enjoy a glass of wine with his wife and CWSAA colleague Andy Spencer as our schedules allow. Jimmie mentored generations of ski industry leadership and passed on many gems. He was exceptionally passionate that CWSAA is to serve its members, and also to ensure we serve all members in every jurisdiction and size. It is to the CWSAA Board’s credit that it actively supports these directives.
CWSAA aims to balance between time spent visiting areas, and time spent with our team executing the directives and deliverables of the organisation. Out of the 92 ski areas in four provinces and a territory, CWSAA has been to almost all of them (we will get to Sima, Maichen, Moose, & Mystery), and, pandemic aside, tries to schedule an in-person visit every three years. In conversation with CWSAA Chair Jason Paterson about how best to support community ski areas and CWSAA organisational objectives, he shared an observation of the culture of CWSAA. While perhaps intangible, he said that interpersonal connections between people in our sector helps enable industry success. He believed that the professional and social connections between CWSAA colleagues advance industry objectives through committee work and many other collaborative initiatives. Without this collegial ethos, the industry would not be as it is.
It was an insightful thought from our Chair, and one that provides some colour and tangibility to the concept of culture that we cherish and ferociously protect as a ski areas association. It was also timely following some of our recent committee outreach to Victoria, and meetings this week with operators in Banff, Edmonton and points in between in advance of outreach to new elected officials in Alberta.
I am also excited about recent people announcements at ski areas. Belinda Trembath and Amy Blakeney have been appointed to the COO positions of Whistler Blackcomb and Sun Peaks Resort respectively, and CWSAA Director Kate Roddick has been promoted to Senior Director Base Area Operations at Whistler Blackcomb. In recent weeks, Todd Muir and Matt Davies have assumed the GM roles at Sasquatch and Cypress Mountains. At CWSAA events we have focused attention on succession planning and transfer of institutional and industry knowledge. I am thrilled to see such opportunity and advancement, and am cognizant of the critical importance to retain talent and great people within our own ski sector.
Around the west, summer operations, capital projects, and maintenance in preparation for winter are the norm for operators. However, CWSAA also knows and has offered its full support to those dealing with crises, including but not limited to wildfires. Our thoughts and actions are with you.
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
CWSAA 2023 Fall Meetings & 2024 Spring Conference
Upcoming CWSAA Events
- September 26/27, 2023: ASM Division (Alberta/ Saskatchewan/ Manitoba) at Canyon Ski Resort (AB). More Info
- October 3, 2023: Bike Park Forum at SilverStar Mountain Resort (BC). More Info
- October 4/5, 2023: BC-Yukon Division at SilverStar Mountain Resort (BC). More Info
- October 29/30, 2023: SSAOA (Saskatchewan Ski Area Operators & Manitoba) at Wapiti Ski Area (SK)
- April 22-24, 2024: 2024 CWSAA Spring Conference at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Fall Meetings
Fall Meetings are primarily focused on Risk & Safety as well as important updates that relate to preparing for the season ahead. The agenda's are being prepared and include more in-field workshops.
Registration will open in August. Group Accommodations rates and info are now available at the links below:
Canadian Lift Pass Participants receive access to CSC's Research
The Canadian Lift Pass (CLP) is now on sale, with prices increasing September 1
It's not too late to join the CLP program and gain access to special industry reports from the Canadian Ski Council. Learn More HERE.
Heat Stress
Heat illness such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash can be serious and should also be avoided.
There are precautions that can be taken any temperature. All workers and employers should familiarize themselves with the signs and steps for prevention. There are several resources related to heat illness for employers, these include:
INDUSTRY EVENTS FEATURE
OITAF Coming to Canada in 2024
June 17-20, 2024 | Vancouver, BC
OITAF is the international ropeway organisation and will be meeting in North America for only the second time in its history. This is a unique opportunity to access the OITAF Congress within Canada. Topic areas include:
- Development of ropeways in urban and tourist areas
- Operation of ropeways
- Ropeway technology, new developments
- Dimensions of sustainability
Mountain Technology Symposium
September 5-8, 2023 | Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan
This NSAA event is the place to engage with technology, finance, marketing and software systems pros from across the mountain resort industry. MtnTech is different because it allows ample time for ski area and supplier colleagues to discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions for a tech-forward future. This event includes two full days of roundtable discussions, case studies, networking with peers, and exploring the operations at Boyne Mountain Resort.
Classifieds
In Search of:
- Nitehawk is looking to buy mountain bikes with frame sizes 20 and/or 24 inch, if any partners are selling off part their fleet. Contact Johnathan at Nitehawk (Grande Prairie).
For Sale:
-
85 foot handle tow with Briggs & Stratton motor for sale. Can be transported with pick up and trailer. Contact: Lily at Whispering Pines (Worsley Alberta)
- Snowmaking pump for sale. Contact: Johnathan at Nitehawk.
Member's can login to the CWSAA website, and access member contact info HERE.
2023 CWSAA AGM
Please be advised that the CWSAA AGM will take place virtually (via Zoom) on Thursday July 27 at 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain time. Please find the official AGM notice HERE.
For those that have already registered for the AGM, please check your email for the zoom link.
CWSAA Annual Report
View the Annual Report, AGM notice and past AGM minutes HERE (login required).
![Image](https://cwsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CWSAA-23_1020.jpg)
CWSAA's Current Board of Director's pictured:
Back Row: Stewart Laver, Dave Morrison, Katherine Seleski, Penny Lindballe, Kim Jones, Andy Cohen, Kim Locke, Hildur Sinclair, Darcy Arnold
Seated (left to right): Dorothy Gould, Johnathan Clarkson, Jason Paterson, Kate Roddick, Eddie Wood.
Absent: Robert Kennedy (CWSAA Ex-officio).
Learn More about the CWSAA Board of Directors HERE.
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: www.drivingforce.ca
CONTACT: 780-483-9559 or edmgdsreservations@drivingforce.ca
Save 10% on vehicle rentals with code "CWSAA"
![Image](https://cwsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DF276929121590482_1494618942768330105_n-e1690308005534.jpg)
Quality Tires at an affordable price
Learn More about Kal Tire's current promotions HERE.
Places & Faces
![Image](https://cwsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Nitehawk-EasyLoop.jpg)
Nitehawk launched the new EasyLOOP system on their platter lift this week. The lift provides Bike Park guests the ability to do laps on the upper trails without having to use the Shuttle Van and huck wagon. The shuttle is still used on the lower trails. Nitehawk is the first in North America to use this system.
Click the photo to see the EasyLoop in action.
![Image](https://cwsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/T.Muir_.jpg)
![Image](https://cwsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CWSAA-23_0615.jpg)