President's Message
During a recent visit to SilverStar Mountain Resort, I had the opportunity to meet athletes, coaches, volunteers, and parents associated with the SilverStar Freestyle Club. They had just installed a ramp and massive inclined landing bag, and the training had commenced. I am continually amazed at the athleticism of snowsport athletes, appreciative of the volunteers that support them, and impressed at the number of clubs that this new training facility has immediately attracted. The scene served as an important reminder of the shared values within the ski industry family.
Across Western Canada, ski areas and snow sport organisations are part of the same eco-system that begins with a first lesson and can eventually lead to provincial teams, international competitions, and even Olympic dreams. These opportunities help inspire the next generation of skiers and snowboarders, but their importance extends well beyond athletic development. Athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers are engaged participants for the sport and the slopes where they train. Their involvement can generate interest, enthusiasm, and advocacy that strengthens the relationship between a ski area and the communities it serves.
Ski areas operate within increasingly complex economic and regulatory landscapes, especially given evolving demographics and changing public expectations. These factors have moved many operators to increase their outreach efforts. Community engagement sessions, open houses, stakeholder meetings, and informal conversations are becoming important tools for sharing information and building trust.
There are many examples across our industry. At Mt. Norquay's centennial celebrations, owners Jan and Adam Waterous shared unvarnished insight into the rationale shaping the ski area’s long-term vision. Whistler Blackcomb regularly hosts in-person Community Partner Updates with management that provide real time information on operations that impacts community and visitor experience. The Sun Peaks Resort leadership group has adopted open-house forums to share progress on both immediate priorities and long-range objectives contained within its master plan. Notably, former Whistler Blackcomb COO and CWSAA Director, Geoff Buchheister, now with Aspen Skiing Company, recently engaged municipal leaders with exceptional detail on the realities facing ski resort business models. From demographic and climate shifts to zoning and housing, Geoff’s comments are shared in the Aspen Daily News. These initiatives demonstrate the importance ski areas are placing on dialog and relationships to improve understanding, and build support for the role ski areas play within their communities.
Competitive snow sports can be a powerful ally within this outreach. Club members and supporters are often among a ski area's most passionate ambassadors. Their stories and successes can foster relationships within communities. Collectively, ski areas and sport organisations can help ensure the industry be understood, valued, and supported by the social license that increasingly underpins long-term business success.
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
Industry Events
Upcoming Industry Events
Mark your calendars for the upcoming CWSAA Fall meetings. More information will be available in July.
- ASM Division: September 29-30, Canyon Resort Red Deer
- Bike Park Forum: October 6, Sun Peaks BC
- BCY Division: October 7–8, Sun Peaks BC
- Alberta Northern: October 14, Grande Prairie
- BC Northern: October 20-21, Hart Highlands Winter Club, Prince George
- SSAOA: October 25-26, Manitoba
🔗 For more details visit our Fall Meeting webpage. Rates have now been announced for most events. Registration & accommodation bookings will open on August 5.
The 2027 CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show runs April 26-29, 2027 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
CWSAA Board of Directors
Kim Locke
During today's 2026 AGM, members of the Canada West Ski Areas Association elected Kim Locke as Chair of CWSAA. The Board expressed sincere appreciation to Eddie Wood as his two year term as Chair ends. Eddie will continue to support the Association as Past Chair in a non-voting advisory role, while Jason Paterson has completed his term as Past Chair.
Six returning and four new directors we elected by the membership which reflects the expertise in resort operations, legal and risk management, and supplier relations within the Board of Directors. Read more about the CWSAA Board of Directors.
CWSAA welcomes new Board of Directors members:
- Derek Look, Rabbit Hill Snow Resort as ASM Director
- Courtney MacQuarrie, Banff Sunshine Village as ASM Director
- Mark Ormandy, Fernie Alpine Resort as Director at Large
- Al Graves, Prinoth Western Canada as Associate Director
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Derek Look, President and Co-Owner of Rabbit Hill Snow Resort, brings nearly 30 years of experience across both destination resorts in British Columbia and urban feeder hills in Alberta. His broad operational background and industry committee experience provide valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing Western Canada's ski industry. |
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Courtney MacQuarrie, Vice President, Legal & General Counsel at Banff Sunshine Village, contributes extensive experience in legal affairs, occupational health and safety, insurance and regulatory compliance. A member of the CWSAA Risk & Safety Committee since 2020, she has also shared her expertise through numerous conference presentations and panel discussions. |
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Mark Ormandy, Area Manager at Fernie Alpine Resort, offers a unique blend of financial, human resources and operational leadership. Since joining Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in 2005, he has held a variety of management roles before assuming his current leadership position at Fernie. |
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Representing the Association's supplier community, Al Graves, Regional Manager for Prinoth Western Canada, brings more than 30 years of experience working alongside ski areas throughout Western Canada, providing a valuable supplier perspective to the Board. |
The Association also extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing directors Dorothy Gould (Associate Director) and Kim Jones (ASM Director), who completed their elected terms, as well as Johnathan Clarkson and Kate Roddick, who departed the Board earlier this year.
CWSAA thanks all directors—past and present—for the time, expertise and leadership they contribute in support of the Association and the Western Canadian ski industry. The Board plays a vital role in providing governance, setting strategic direction and ensuring the Association continues to deliver programs, advocacy and services that reflect member priorities.
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowances (ACCA): Unlocking Investment in Canada's Ski Industry
The Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA), Canadian Ski Council, and industry peers in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic have requested the introduction of Accelerated Capital Cost Allowances (ACCAs) as a practical federal tax measure to stimulate investment across Canada's ski industry. ACCAs allow businesses to write off the cost of capital investments more quickly, improving cash flow, reducing project risk, and increase the attractiveness of major infrastructure investments. Importantly, ACCAs do not reduce the total amount of tax collected by government—they simply change the timing of when taxes are paid.
Industry research conducted with a sample of ten destination ski areas in Alberta and British Columbia found that an ACCA incentive could generate approximately 19% more capital investment, representing an estimated $567 million in incremental investment when extrapolated across the western Canadian ski industry. The analysis suggests that accelerated depreciation would encourage ski areas to advance investment plans, modernize infrastructure sooner, and improve the overall return on investment for capital projects.
The concept has spurred significant investment at resorts in the US. It was advanced within the Canadian ski industry by Mike Irvine and Ralph Scurfield of Sunshine Village, and developed through a partnership with the tourism industry associations of Alberta and BC (TIAA & TIABC), with research produced by economist Ben Brunnen. The ski sector was used for the study because of its existing financial benchmarks and availability of capital expenditure data.
The study called Levelling the Playing Field: Positioning Canada’s Western Ski Areas on a Competitive Footing with the U.S., is being used by partners in federal advocacy efforts prior to fall budget updates. Government officials have expressed interest in understanding how the measure would drive incremental investment, and the industry's analysis provides evidence that ACCAs could help unlock significant private-sector capital while strengthening the competitiveness of Canadian ski destinations.
Stewardship Spotlight: Rabbit Hill Snow Resort
Sustainability doesn't need to be complicated. At Rabbit Hill, the focus has been on taking small steps that lead to meaningful progress. Rather than relying on major capital projects, the resort has concentrated on practical operational improvements, staff engagement and building sustainability into everyday decision-making.
Sustainability Committee & Waste Reduction
In April 2024, Rabbit Hill established a cross-departmental Sustainability Committee to drive environmental initiatives. The committee combines sustainability education with brainstorming sessions to develop solutions tailored to the resort's unique rural location.
One of its first initiatives was conducting a waste audit to identify opportunities for reducing waste. Since forming the committee, Rabbit Hill has:
Introduced a staff reusable cup program, avoiding approximately 12,600 single-use cups during its first season.- Switched to compostable food trays to reduce landfill waste.
- Partnered with Eco Dine Zero Waste to recycle used cooking oil, which is refined into products that support Alberta's agricultural industry.
- Expanded the collection of recyclable and reusable materials through local recycling and reuse partners.
The resort also hopes to implement organic waste separation in the future as local waste management services become available.
Looking Beyond Waste
Rabbit Hill has also incorporated sustainability into its purchasing decisions by asking suppliers about their own environmental commitments and looking for partners who share similar values.
When it came time to replace Snowsport School uniforms in 2025, the resort prioritized products designed for longevity and responsible end-of-life management through a supplier with an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. At the same time, 91 retired uniforms were donated through the North of 50 Project, giving them a second life instead of sending them to landfill.
Recognizing that meaningful improvement begins with understanding current impacts, Rabbit Hill also partnered with Green Economies Canada to complete a Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas inventory, along with a partial Scope 3 inventory. This work established a carbon emissions baseline that will help guide future sustainability efforts and measure progress over time.
Supporting People Along the Way
Sustainability efforts extend beyond environmental initiatives. Leftover cafeteria food is shared with staff at the end of each day, helping reduce food waste while supporting the resort's team. At the end of the season, unopened bulk food items are donated within the community to ensure they do not go to waste.
Guests are also encouraged to participate by carpooling, bringing reusable beverage cups and making use of the resort's water refill stations.
As sustainability becomes more deeply integrated into Rabbit Hill's operations, the resort continues to weave it into staff training, purchasing decisions and policies. While each initiative may seem small on its own, together they reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and demonstrate that every action can make a difference.
🔗 Learn more about Rabbit Hills sustainability initiatives HERE.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Free Mini Sessions from go2HR to Help Ski Area Teams Beat Summer Burnout
Summer operations bring a different pace to ski areas, with teams supporting mountain biking, sightseeing, trail maintenance, events, and other warm-weather activities while working long hours in changing alpine conditions. Supporting psychological health is just as important as managing physical safety during this season.
To help, go2HR is offering free, customized 30-minute virtual mini sessions for tourism employers, designed for entire teams or just people leaders. Employers can choose from topics including Seasonal Burnout, Workplace Psychological Safety, or Supporting the Summer Rush, with practical strategies to help recognize burnout, strengthen communication, and foster psychologically safer workplaces. Sessions are delivered virtually and can be attended together from a meeting room or individually, making them easy to fit into operational schedules.
Summer availability is filling up quickly, so book your free mini session today.
Looking for more free support? Explore go2HR's psychological health and safety resource hub for BC tourism and hospitality employers.
Save $50 on SAM Summer Ops Camp
Looking to grow your resort's summer operations? Join mountain resort professionals from across North America at SAM Summer Ops Camp, September 1–3 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The program features behind-the-scenes tours, interactive education sessions and networking with operators from one of the country's leading four-season mountain destinations.
As a CWSAA member, you can save $50 on any registration package by using promo code ASSOCIATION when you register by August 1.
🔗 Learn more and register: saminfo.com/summer-ops-camp
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 and Driving Force thank our first responders and emergency personnel that support our communities. Photo: Sun Peaks Fire Department.
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.
GRIT Awards
The Alberta Tourism GRIT Awards honour the enduring values of Growth, Resilience and Inspiration in Tourism by tourism businesses and professionals in Alberta. By recognizing the Albertans who push the boundaries in the spirit of achieving their dreams, the awards celebrate the collective effort of the risk-takers, innovators and inspired leaders who are helping to transform the province into a top global destination.
The GRIT Awards celebrate tourism achievement in three distinct categories:
- Tourism Growth Award
- Tourism Resilience Award
- Tourism Inspiration Award
Nominations will be accepted until September 1, learn more and nominate HERE.
The awards will be handed out TIAA Alberta Economic Budget Forum taking place on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
Places & Faces
CWSAA Past Chair Eddie Wood, recently visited with Kinosoo Ridge in Cold Lake, including Juanita and two Selkirk College SROAM students Josh and Ellie.
Silver Star Freestyle Club President Carson Dorward views the new inclined air-bag and site. The facilities at SilverStar now offers athletes year-round training opportunities.
CWSAA ASM Division Director Katherine Seleski is travelling around Yukon with her mountain bike and visited all three Yukon ski areas, including Sam and Megan at Mt. Sima.
The District of Mackenzie has officially named the chalet at Little Mac Ski Hill the Evan Bichon Ski Chalet, recognizing the Olympian's achievements and inspiring the next generation of snowsports athletes, read the announcement.
In June, a team of volunteers from Mount Joy worked alongside the experts to replace the 1300 meter long haul rope on their t-bar.
Kimberley Alpine Resort has had a busy spring and start to the summer with the construction of their new Tamarack quad chair. With the old double removed, forms are now in place for the new quad lift towers.