Next week, the CWSAA Board of Directors will be setting the organisation’s strategic directives for the next three years. This process is informed by the surveys recently completed by the CWSAA membership. The response rate was excellent which gives the Board great confidence in understanding the wishes of the members as it plots the course for the Association. Thank you for the submissions.
In addition to the surveys, CWSAA endeavors to constantly gather intel directly from members. This message is being penned in between visits to Kinosoo Ridge, Mt. Joy, Optimist, and Mission Ridge ski areas. It marks a welcome return to sharing solutions and discussing challenges through direct discussion with operators.
All these inputs set the future course for CWSAA, as well as defines immediate initiatives. The content for upcoming Online Industry Sessions, Fall Division meetings, Bike Park Forum, and the 2023 Spring Conference in Whistler are currently being defined and constructed based on the stated needs of members. In the coming weeks, CWSAA Online Industry Sessions will resume. The CWSAA online sessions and Selkirk College online lift courses have dramatically increased the availability and frequency of information to a greater number of ski areas. But it has not replaced the desire for operators to network and exchange solutions in person.
Following the Spring Meeting in Lake Louise, other initiatives continue to advance including:
- CWSAA safety education and risk management program continues. This is a free service to all CWSAA ski area members.
- New committee work on toolkits for school programs and rental shops are being developed in time for fall 2022.
- The Responsible Stewardship initiatives progresses thanks to committee & consultant work, and member feedback from conference.
- Economic impact and industry performance data will be reported out to members shortly.
- Numerous advocacy efforts continue in the various jurisdictions, with the most pervasive issue being the shortage of workers. Recruitment and retainment is a year-round strategy and CWSAA has an "HR-Employee Retention & Engagement Manual" available in the Best Practices section of our website (login required). A part solution for some ski areas is attracting workers from other countries. CWSAA has aligned with national peers to advance policy solutions to support federal immigration initiatives, and has partnered directly with the Canadian Ski Council on advancing solutions specific to ski industry professions.
CWSAA looks forward to sharing with members the new directive of the Association, and is appreciative of the dedication from the Board, committees and many industry colleagues move the industry forward.
– Christopher Nicolson
In its recent Budget, the Federal Government stated that “to continue supporting Canada’s tourism sector, the Minister of Tourism will work with the tourism industry, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous tourism operators to develop a new post-pandemic Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which will plot a course for growth, investment, and stability.”
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is conducting an industry survey to gather critical information that will inform upcoming consultations with the Government of Canada. TIAC will be drafting a detailed submission that reflects industry priorities and will help achieve growth, investment and sustainability among the nation’s tourism sector.
Complete the survey and make your voice heard. The survey closes at midnight (ET) on June 17.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
Login required to post jobs!
CWSAA Meetings
Save the dates.
CWSAA 2022 AGM - July 26, 9am Pacific / 10am Mtn.
- Virtual/online meeting. Official notice to be sent out later this month.
ASM Fall Division Meeting - September 27/28 at WinSport in Calgary.
- Meeting will take place Tuesday (September 27) afternoon and Wednesday (September 28) morning.
- Accommodation: Four Point Sheraton. Rate: $166 + taxes (includes parking). Book online HERE.
CWSAA Bike Park Forum - October 3 at Sun Peaks.
BC-Yukon Fall Division Meeting - October 4/5 at Sun Peaks.
- The Bike Park Forum will be a 1 day event on Monday October 3. Followed by a 1.5 day BC-Y meeting (Tuesday full-day and Wednesday morning).
- Accommodation: Sun Peaks Grand Hotel. Rates starting at $155 + taxes + $15 per night for self parking. A booking link will be added to the events calendar soon.
Saskatchewan Ski Area Operators Meeting
- October 30/31 at Falcon Ridge. Details to follow.
2023 CWSAA Spring Conference & Trade Show
- April 25-27, 2023 at the Whistler Conference Centre.
- Accommodation info and more details will be released in the Fall.
See more industry events, on the CWSAA Industry Events Calendar.
CWSAA Exchange
Each year we receive requests from small ski areas who may be looking for uniforms, rental shop equipment or other important equipment.
One ski area currently has a used inventory of patrol uniforms available and another has an inventory of Ski School uniforms.
If you have items to donate or sell, or, if you are looking for a particular item such as the patrol uniforms available, please contact marketing@cwsaa.org.
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The D-Line components and assemblies boast a brand new design; their enhanced functions open up new possibilities. Whether it’s the stations, detachable grips or sheave assemblies – the D-Line impresses all along the line. The OMEGA V cabin offers much more space and comfort; operation is even more reliable and even quieter.
The interplay between form, material and function sets new standards. With the D-Line, great importance was attached to a new design with perfect finish combined with technical innovation. Thinking ahead, identifying trends, creating innovations – these are the strengths that Doppelmayr customers can rely on.
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Kinosoo Ridge (Cold Lake) is in the Municipal District of Bonnyville, a beautiful region in northeast Alberta with 82 nearby lakes. The ski area recently opened their Aerial Adventure Park. The new activity is part of the resort's expansion into a year-round resort.
The aerial adventure park and restaurant will be open this summer Thursday to Sunday. Kinosoo is also replacing one of its two chairs this summer.
Castle Mountain’s Cole Fawcett, and Mt. Norquay’s Andre Quenneville were part of a cadre of ski areas plus CWSAA that attended the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta Advocacy Summit. The event featured forum and panel discussions with political leaders and government officials in the provincial capital. Timing of this event is critical as leadership races and a provincial election takes shape over the coming year.
Mount Joy Snow Resort is located 20 minutes from Lloydminster Alberta.
Chris, Wanda and Alison are all volunteers of the Mt Joy Ski Society which was started in 1966.
Grant Bacon stands above one of two chairlifts and the new snowmaking pumphouse at Sunridge in Edmonton. Many ski areas other than his own have benefitted from Grant's support and technical expertise. The Canada West Way in action.