It's not too late to register!
Check out the CWSAA Spring Meeting Website HERE to view all the session and event info.
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Don't miss out. Rooms are filling up very quickly and will likely sell out!
Standard Rooms starting at $154 (plus taxes and $12 service charge per person).
BOOK NOW
If you booked extra rooms (or extra nights) that you will not need, please consider releasing them to ensure others have availability.
The 2022 Spring Meeting in Lake Louise, will feature a new event: The Marketplace.
The Marketplace is now sold out for vendor tables. The event will feature over 30 tables hosted by Spring Meetings sponsors. This is a great opportunity to meet with CWSAA Members, learn about new products and services and network. The Marketplace will be held at 3 time blocks during the Spring Meeting.
Day one Tuesday April 26: 4:30pm –6:00pm
- Dedicated Marketplace time (no concurrent sessions).
- Cash bar on-site. *** NEW*** - Just added, now that health orders have allowed.
- Open Marketplace (drop-in) for all delegates to come and go at their leisure.
- During this time, it will be similar to a seated tradeshow, where delegates can walk by tables, sit down and engage in conversation.
Day two Wednesday April 27: 10:45am –12:00pm & 3:15–4:30pm.
- Marketplace Meetings for sponsors to pre-set appointments with delegates to meet at their reserved table.
Small Areas Silent Auction
Prize donations now being accepted.
The Small Areas Auction Committee are planning for a great silent auction this year. The funds raised at the auction will help support the attendance of small ski areas at CWSAA events.
The Committee volunteers are currently recruiting prize donations for the auction and would like to encourage you to donate item(s) in support. Please complete a brief Donation Expression of Interest form HERE.
Thank You
The following members added a donation to the Small Areas Assistance Fund, when registering for the Spring Meeting:
- Kubera Payments
- Jasper Sky Tram
- WinSport
- Snow Valley
- Mt Sima
- Ecosign
- Shames Mountain
- Canadian Ski Council
Thank you for your support!
Worker Shortage Letters needed
The ski sector lives daily with Canada’s labour supply shortage. CWSAA is working with ski and tourism partners to amplify a coordinated campaign voice on specific recommendations to the federal government this week in advance of budget details. Within 30 days, ski areas will be commencing international recruiting efforts to attract sufficient staff for winter 2022/23 operations. To achieve this, specific changes to international work permits must be achieved.
Roadmap to Recovery
A CWSAA working group, in partnership with peer ski associations and Canadian Ski Council advocacy leadership in Ottawa, is advancing recommendations to the federal government. Simultaneously, the ski sector is aligned and calling upon ski industry members to amplify the coordinated recommendations using the resource tool developed by the Hotel Association of Canada and supported by the Tourism Industry of Canada.
Susie Grynol, CEO, Hotel Association of Canada, is one of our tourism industry’s most dynamic leaders. In this short video clip she explains the critical and immediate need for your letter to your MP and the request for help with the current worker shortage.
The ask of CWSAA members is to:
1. Submit the pre-written letter by clicking the following link: http://hac-business-en.csaeconnect.net/
Your MP’s name will automatically populate as you enter your nearest town/city location.
OR
2. Send your own letter to your MP requesting the following:
- Immediately exempt Canada’s ski and tourism sector from having to fulfill LMIA requirements until such time that revenue and employment levels match or exceed pre-COVID19 performance levels.
Easy to follow materials also provide tips on how to request and make an introduction of your business to government officials: https://www.hacroadmap.ca/take-action
Opportunities to Support Ukraine
There has been significant conversation in the industry of how to support Ukrainians. The Canadian government has recently released the following supports (see March 17 news release).
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) – CUAET is a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway to welcome Ukrainians and their families to Canada whereby, Ukrainians (and their immediate family members of any nationality) may stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. Applicants are encouraged to apply for a 3-year open work permit at the same time as their visa application.
Employers who wish to support Ukrainians with offers of employment should register on Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage.
The Government of Canada is matching donations through the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
CWSAA is in contact with federal and provincial levels to identify where ski areas can support the Ukraine humanitarian effort and complement those already engaged in local programs. Efforts may include fundraising, employment and accommodation for refugees arriving in Canada. Officials are aligning and qualifying these initiatives in a rapidly changing environment. Further information will be coming as specific asks of ski areas are identified.
As of April 1, a realignment of ministries will take effect, and the Mountain Resort Branch will report through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS). This same Ministry has been a vital partner to industry in CWSAA’s emergency response work through the pandemic, highway closures, and wildfires. Read the News Release.
Earlier this week, TACS Deputy Minister Neilane Meyhew spent and afternoon with CWSAA at Mt. Seymour to observe ski area operations and their function as a contributor to community physical and mental well being.
Photo: TACS Deputy Minister Neilane Meyhew and Eddie Wood, GM at Mt Seymour and CWSAA Director.
Ecosign has been very busy on a number of projects recently. Here is an overview of some of the work they have been involved in recently.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
In 2020 Ecosign completed a detailed base area master plan for Revelstoke Mountain Resort which establishes a road map for future development of the resort village, 18-hole Cabot Revelstoke Golf Course, real estate, parking and employee housing. The master plan provides a layout for 16,600 bed units with a mix of hotel, condo, townhouse, single-family units and employee housing. In the summer of 2021 RMR began construction of the Heli-hotel, a 154 room conference hotel in the village and Cabot Golf started clearing the land for construction of the golf course which will commence this summer. Ecosign has continued to work with RMR and Cabot Revelstoke on conceptual designs for individual development parcels.
Lake Louise Ski Area
Ecosign prepared a base area plan which was included in the Long-Range Plan submitted to Parks Canada in the spring of 2019. The base area plan included the expansion of the parking lots, skier service and lodge facilities, design of two learning centers and additional summer and winter activities.
Grouse Mountain
Ecosign has worked with Grouse Mountain to complete their initial proposal for a new gondola to replace aging infrastructure which, together with the Red Tram, will provide redundancy, reduction of wait times, improved accessibility and an increased operational efficiency. This draft master plan was presented to the public in September 2021 and is awaiting approval. Next steps include analyzing existing operations, logistics, guest services and circulation with the aim is to dramatically improve the guest experience and enjoyment of one of Vancouver’s most iconic mountain experiences.
Hidden Valley, Alberta
In May of 2021, Ecosign completed the Hidden Valley Inventory and Technical Assessment of the current operations, and opportunities of the ski resort facilities for the preparation of an open bid competition to lease operations of the ski hill. This planning work included the preparation of a market study, an affordable Immediate Action Plan and two overall long range Development Concepts for the ski hill and base staging area. A financial analysis, market study with skier visit projections, a capital budget and pro forma income statement of the preferred Development Concepts was completed.
Mount Timothy
Ecosign has been retained to prepare a Technical Assessment, Master Plan Alternatives and Preferred Master Plan Concept for the Mount Timothy Recreation Resort.
CWSAA is very grateful for the support of Ecosign. For more information on Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners visit www.ecosign.com
2022 Alberta Tourism Industry Congress
The Alberta Tourism Industry Congress is being hosted on April 24 – 25 in Banff immediately prior to the CWSAA spring meeting. The strong agenda is capped with a tribute to industry leaders at the Alto Awards. CWSAA wishes to congratulate Ralph Scurfield on being named as 2022 Alto Ambassador and will be recognized at the gala. Deadline for other Alto Awards categories is today… Friday, March 18.
Registration is limited. Learn More.
Over the past several months, several new members have joined CWSAA. CWSAA now has 259 members (117 Ski Areas and 142 Suppliers). We are excited to welcome the following members:
Associate Members:
- Skaping - web cameras
- T'NT Work & Rescue - rope access and rescue product supplier
- accesso Technology Group - ticketing, virtual queueing, distribution and guest experience management systems
- Active Network - ski resort software
Hidden Valley Operations: Requests for Proposals
Alberta Environment and Parks – Parks Operations Division (“Alberta Parks”) is seeking a business entity or non-profit organization or Proponent Team to operate and maintain Hidden Valley Ski Resort under a Commercial Recreation Disposition. Submission deadline is March 30, 2022.
View the Bid Package HERE.
CWSAA Partners
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Bring on Spring at Kal Tire
Thanks to the partnership with Kal Tire, Kal Tire has shared with us some great spring deals.
Get a jump on your spring vehicle maintenance with special deals on tire installation, brakes and alignment.
Click HERE to download the deals!
Jim Buckingham, September 11, 1940 to February 27, 2022
One of my greatest experiences thus far with CWSAA was being introduced to the ski areas across the beautiful flatlands of Canada through the eyes of the late Jim Buckingham. From the geology that shapes the region, to Bucky’s ‘Aunt Gladys’ and staunch slope design prescriptions, he shared so much with our industry and has a fingerprint on most areas across the Prairies. Bucky, with his lovely wife Mary, resided in Banff and spent many years at Sunshine Village. My involvement with him was on the road heading to the Saskatchewan Ski Area Operators meetings. Many hours were spent discussing ski area design, whitewater and marathon canoes, and our loved ones. A shared passion for us was exploring the slopes of ski areas like Thunder Hill and Mission Ridge. Clever solutions always got him going, but little raised the excitement level like sleuthing ghost ski areas such as White Track or Aspen Heights to which I’ll admit resulted in a couple of detours.
We will miss you Bucky. Thank you for sharing your passions on the rivers and on the slopes.
Christopher
The Obituary can be viewed HERE.
Jim Buckingham and Christopher Nicolson, White Track, SK
Jim Buckingham at Aspen Heights, AB
Jim, Owen & Mike at Mission Ridge, SK
Congratulations to Troll Mountain on its 50th Anniversary celebrations. Hildur Sinclair, owner and CWSAA Director, and GM Scott Zacharius orchestrated a marvelous weekend. Legendary Bob Bell provided the keynote address and wonderfully woven tales of Lars Fossberg and the fortitude of early ski area pioneers.
Darcy Alexander of Sun Peaks Resort is a past CWSAA Board Chair and Jim Marshall Award recipient. He is all smiles as Sun Peaks announces a $1.5 million combined resort and community investment into 31 km of new mountain bike trails, two summer chairlift operations, and riding on three mountains. Read More.
In February, with significant efforts from the team at Nitehawk Year Round Adventure Park the new T-Bar was launched. Earlier this month, the community celebrated with a ribbon cutting and community event.
Whitewater Ski Resort recently announced an expansion with a new Quad Chairlift coming for the 2023-24 season. The new chair will add 160+ acres of terrain and increase lift capacity from the main base area. Read More.
Lead by Tourism Minister Melanie Mark, Deputy Minister Neilane Meyhew, and ADM Nick Grant, these are some of the team members at the BC Ministry of Tourism that have helped CWSAA and ski areas navigate the many crises of the past two years from the pandemic, to slides and highway closures, to wildfires. CWSAA feels fortunate to work with such as strong and dedicated team.
Congratulations to Dave and the dedicated team of community volunteers at Mackenzie Ski Hill in La Crete, Alberta. The new community area opened for operation in late January, with snowcat accessed skiing and snowboarding. They brought in a number of modular buildings to provide a rental shop, warming area and administration. Learn More on their Facebook.
Spring Passenger Ropeway courses course intake begins soon. Just prior to the pandemic, considerable work was undertaken to create online content for the Passenger Ropeways courses. Lift 151, 152 & 153 are now fully online, and will not be offered in person at the 2022 Spring Meeting.
The online spring courses runs May to June (exams June 22 (151), 23 (152), 24 (153), 2022).
Find out more HERE.
Ski Lift Functions & Maintenance Textbooks
Recently an updated edition of the lift textbooks were released. Ski areas may purchase these great tools HERE.
Pictured: CWSAA met up with SROAMie MC Hall who is conducting her work term which has allowed her to gain hands-on experience in snowmaking, lift operations, and ticketing.