President's Message
Mountain bike season is underway at Whistler Blackcomb
A very sincere thank you to the membership at large and the delegates of the Spring Conference who submitted the annual member opinion survey and conference survey. The member survey has directly informed the Board of Directors' review of the organisation’s strategic directions. It's good news that the Board aligns with the members' wishes, with only slight adjustments needed. Similarly, staff have completed three conference debrief sessions and have framed the 2025 Conference in Penticton based on the input, as well as incorporating some ideas into the Fall Meetings.
At the recent meeting of Associate members at the Spring Conference and in other subsequent conversations with industry colleagues, there has been interest in the scope and planning of these events. Internally, we refer to a ‘checklist’ of things to consider when planning, including:
- Venue: The ability to host a tradeshow, gathering (plenary session, awards dinner) and sessions at the same time is a key factor. The requirement of two large spaces simultaneously, at a venue near a ski area, quickly narrows down conference locations. Commitment to Associate members and a tradeshow dictates meal planning formats and schedules to ensure strong support for Associate member services and products.
- Geography: Both rotation of geographic location and ease of access based on the time of year (e.g., weather, distance, air/road).
- Cost: Securing cost-effective venue options is crucial, as CWSAA events aim to provide education and training opportunities to as many industry members as possible. The resort destinations dictate the calendar scheduling.
- Supporting and hosting at ski area destinations: This provides valuable access to ski areas' facilities for training purposes.
- Size: The space should promote networking and interaction. Networking with professional colleagues is consistently rated as one of the most important aspects of industry gatherings.
- Execution effectiveness: Venues need to have the organisational capacity to coordinate on-site logistics to keep CWSAA administrative overhead costs low.
- Connectivity: Reliable internet connectivity and IT support are increasingly important, impacting the style of presentations and venue options.
- Timing: CWSAA has tried to secure the end of April as its conference window and works with industry peers on scheduling up to four years in advance. This impacts industry colleagues who often attend, present, or display at multiple events.
- Accommodation: Availability of accommodation at acceptable rates, and favourable terms for both delegates and CWSAA.
Thank you again to everyone who participated in the surveys and provided input. Your feedback is invaluable to better serving the membership of CWSAA.
Cheers
– Christopher
2024 CWSAA Fall Meetings
CWSAA is pleased to announce the locations for our upcoming Fall Meetings. We are excited to expand the Fall meetings to promote four different dates and locations, including a NEW Northern Region event in Grande Prairie:
- September 24 & 25, Sunridge (Edmonton, Alberta): Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba (ASM) Division Meeting. 1.5 days - full day September 24, and morning only September 25 (ending at noon).
- October 2-4, Sun Peaks Resort (Kamloops, BC):
- October 2 - Bike Park Forum - 1 full day.
- October 3/4 - BC-Yukon Division Meeting - 1.5 days - October 3 full day, and morning of October 4.
- October 22, Grande Prairie, Alberta: Northern Region Fall Meeting - 1 full day.
- October 27/28, Thunderhill (Swan River Valley, Manitoba): Saskatchewan Ski Areas Operators Association (SSAOA) - arrive/social evening Oct 27, meeting Oct 28. Note this meeting is being planned by the SSAOA and is supported by CWSAA.
Click the above events for more information including hotel reservation links. More information will be available for most of these events in late July, with registration opening mid-August.
CWSAA Spring Conferences
CWSAA is already actively planning for the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show in Penticton, BC. Mark your calendars April 28 to May 1, 2025. Planning is already underway! If you would like to present or have a suggestion for a conference topic, please complete the Session Proposal form by June 30 HERE.
We are excited to announced that the 2026 CWSAA Spring Conference has now been confirmed for Whistler, April 27-30, 2026. More details will be available next year.
WorkSafeBC First Aid Guidelines
Earlier this month WorkSafeBC hosted an online session with information on Bill 41 and the new first aid regulation. Further information from WorkSafeBC has now been published on the First Aid Guidelines, which may be found HERE.
These guidelines are designed to clarify the regulatory requirements, providing employers with detailed instructions to ensure compliance and navigate the changes effectively. The new First Aid Regulation comes into effect on November 1, 2024.
Some important considerations for ski areas:
- Do you have a written First Aid assessment?
- Is your business considered less accessible or remote?
- Do you know how to conduct a first aid drill in your workplace?
Want to know more, or need help. Many resources are available:
- For a recording of the ski area webinar on June 6 from WorkSafeBC and associated materials, please contact Cynthia at marketing@cwsaa.org
- go2HR offers free, customized health and safety advisory services. Request a consultation HERE.
- Reach out to your WorkSafeBC representative.
Introducing Safety Basics – A NEW Health & Safety Course
Workplace safety is at the forefront for ski resorts, which is why go2HR launched a new asynchronous online training course tailored specifically for new and young workers in the tourism and hospitality sector. Safety Basics is a training that explores the foundational principles of workplace health and safety, covering topics like rights and responsibilities, hazard identification, emergency procedures, and building a positive safety culture. Don’t let an incident on the slopes ruin your season.
Make Safety Basics, a must for young and new workers. And it's completely FREE! Enroll today: HERE
Responsible Stewardship Showcase
Sea to Sky Gondola Reducing Annual Emissions by More Than 400 Tonnes Through Electrification
With immense gratitude to the Squamish Nation and in particular the dedication of the Rights and Title department, the Sea to Sky Gondola was able to break ground on its electrification project in April. The construction of the power line will enable the summit of the Sea to Sky Gondola operation to switch from diesel to clean energy.
“Since the beginning of operations, we have worked with the Squamish Nation to learn more and more about the cultural significance of these lands, lands the Squamish people have stewarded since time immemorial,” says General Manager, Kirby Brown.
The project has been a collaborative effort between the Sea to Sky Gondola and the Squamish Nation along with BC Hydro, Ministry of Forests, Land, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), the District of Squamish, the Squamish Community Forest, and Efficiency BC.
The new powerline will decrease carbon emissions by over 400 tonnes CO2e/year, which is equal to taking 123 passenger vehicles off the road, providing electricity to 269 homes, or sending 17,461 bags of waste to be recycled instead of landfilled.
In addition to the decrease in carbon emissions, the new powerline will reduce the commercial traffic on the FSR delivering diesel to the summit, eliminate the noise from the generator, and provide clean, reliable, BC-generated power.
The project was designed to use the existing right of ways and cleared areas wherever possible. The effort that it took to find a route to minimize the number of trees cut was enormous. A great deal of planning has gone into ensuring that any trees removed are handled and used responsibly, with larger trees collected by the Squamish Community Forest. Smaller trees will be chipped with some covering left on the forest floor to return nutrients to the ecosystem and some being transported off-site.
2023/24 Western Canadian Skier Visits
CWSAA wishes to thank all ski areas for submitting their 2023/24 skier visit data. As one of several important industry metrics, this data is crucial for illustrating the scope of our industry and understanding the economic impact of ski areas in western Canada.
The 2023/24 ski season saw varied skier visits across different geographic regions and ski areas worked tirelessly to start the season amid challenging weather conditions. Long-haul destination visits, particularly from the USA, performed strongly. Regional drive markets were robust in some areas but softened in others. Local passholder visits depended largely on local conditions.
Overall, skier visits in Western Canada for 2023/24 reached 8.75 million, 15% below last season’s record high of 10.3 million, ranking in the top 8 of the past 20 years. This indicates a strong and confident industry, especially considering the significant capital investments being made across the industry this summer.
CWSAA Annual General Meeting
Please be advised that the CWSAA 2024 AGM will take place as follows:
- Date: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024.
- Time: 10:00 am– 11:00 am Pacific | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Mountain
- Place: Zoom Video Conference.
A notice will be sent to members later this month with a link to register to attend.
New & Improved SnowPass
Sign Up for the 2024/25 SnowPass Program!
The SnowPass is back with exciting updates for the 2024/25 season! Children in grades 1 through 6 can enjoy three complimentary lift tickets at all participating ski areas for one season.
Program Update Highlights:
- 1-Year Pass: Valid for one year, introducing kids to skiing/riding.
- 3 Visits per Ski Area: Encourages repeat visits and conversion to lifetime participants.
- Grades 1-6: Broader age group to engage families in the sport.
- Limited Quantities: Only a fixed number of units will be available for sale.
Research Highlights:
- Increased Participation: 68% of families ski/snowboard more because their child has a SnowPass.
- Family Involvement: On average, three people accompany each SnowPass holder per visit.
- New & Lapsed Skiers: 65% of parents and 62% of SnowPass holders are new, lapsed, or infrequent skiers.
- Lessons Taken: 40% of SnowPass customers take a ski/snowboard lesson.
- First-Time Skiers: 21% of family members skied/snowboarded for the first time due to the SnowPass.
- Diversity: 23% of SnowPass holders identify as non-white/Caucasian.
Learn More about the 2024/25 SnowPass program HERE.
Canadian Lift Pass Funds Industry Research
The Canadian Lift Pass (CLP) is the only multi-ski area lift pass owned and operated by and for the Canadian ski industry. All profits stay in Canada, benefiting ski areas directly. 40% of each CLP sold funds Research, Advocacy, and Government Relations, while 60% goes to the ski area redeeming the pass.
Learn More about the CLP HERE.
Sign Up your ski area to participate in these national programs HERE.
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: www.drivingforce.ca
For Leasing enquiries CONTACT Jordan:
(306) 261-6110 or JArsenault@drivingforce.ca
DRIVING FORCE enroute to Whistler.
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.
Canadian Ski Hall of Fame: Community Ski Area Feature
Falcon Ridge: Small, Remote & Mighty Hard To Beat
First opened in 1959, the Christie family took over the ski area in 1996. They built cabins and engaged the talented music community and expanded the offering to include events like music festivals. Sisters Caleigh, Brooke and Emily Christie now run the ski area with the focus on making the community more vibrant.
Read the Full Falcon Ridge Story
Read more stories about Canadian Community Ski Areas HERE.
Places & Faces
Congratulations to the Klym Family (Jay, Elin, Reid & Amy) who are the new owners of Ski Valley in Minnedosa, Manitoba! Don Horner originally purchased Ski Valley in 1978 with his father. Don Horner and Nancy MacKay have been the faces behind Ski Valley and new owner Jay Klym took his first ski lessons with Nancy 30 years ago. Read more HERE.
Kim Jones of Winsport, CWSAA Director, and CWSAA Safety and Risk Committee member is a huge contributor to CWSAA and ski industry. Kim is standing beside Winsport signage featuring the CWSAA trail ratings (Easiest, More Difficult, Most Difficult)
Belinda Trembath, (Whistler Blackcomb), Barrett Fisher (Tourism Whistler), Kate Roddick (Whistler Blackcomb) and Stuart Rempel (ski guru and great friend of CWSAA - retired) attended the Whistler Museum speaker series on the origins of Whistler Resort Association featuring Al Raine, Drew Meredith and Nancy Greene Raine.
Thunderhill Ski Area (Swan River Valley, Manitoba) will be adding a carpet lift thanks to a $62,000 Co-op Community Spaces grant. The magic carpet will improve access for young families and novice hill users.
The lift installation of the Upper Juniper chairlift at Lake Louise is well underway (lift line and towers in the background). Featuring heated bubble chairs, this new lift will begin just below the top of Lower Juniper Chair and end near the top of the Top Of The World Chair.
Chris Johns of Sodexo Live! had a fantastic time connecting with fellow ski industry representatives at CWSAA and wants to share a special offer for 50% off Auclair gloves to all those in the ski industry. Shop on the Auclair website and at the checkout apply discount code: N.A.-VIP-CHRISJOHNS-50
After seven years at the helm of NSAA, President and CEO Kelly Pawlak, announced her resignation during their annual spring conference. Pawlak will remain in her position through the transition to the new President and CEO, and the search process for her replacement will begin soon. Read More.
Panorama's new Mountain Coaster 1 km track is near completion and part of its significant investment into expanded year round operations. Learn More.
Sam Oettli of Mt. Sima knows how to make an impression. On a recent visit to Whitehorse, The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Canada’s Minister of Tourism, joined Sam to view the Yukon’s northern lights from the top of Mt. Sima’s quad chair at an elevation of 1180 metres.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (Golden, BC) fire department to be developed. Construction of a fire hall will be undertaken as soon as possible as well as the acquisition of a fire truck and recruitment of firefighters. Learn More.
Lift installations are underway at Grouse, Sunshine, Lake Louise, Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks among others. Pictured above Sun Peaks West Bowl.