To me, this is the most exciting time of year. And I’m not talking about Christmas morning. The first snow, the new team members, the start of operations, and the welcoming of skiers and riders is thrilling.
Inevitably the first weeks of ski season comes with challenges that operators successfully navigate with their expertise and experience. The most trying, however, are hurdles created by factors beyond our control.
In recent presentations to industry our insurance partners have illustrated that financial losses throughout the world, be they caused by natural or other forces, have an impact on the ski industry. Underwriters balance the risk in their portfolios, and as a result clients may see premium impacts and higher scrutiny of client loss prevention procedures regardless of their individual claim history.
As reported at the fall meetings, insurance policies for a number of not-for-profit community ski areas were not renewed because coverage for third party community groups was discontinued by local government. This has triggered a firestorm of effort from many players in our industry to secure coverage. The frustrations expressed and felt by community volunteers trying to provide a winter recreation experience to local residents is heart felt, and the importance of skiing and riding to community well-being is obvious. This is all the more reason to maintain the confidence of our industry insurers through diligence to risk management and loss control.
Advancing risk management best practises includes but is not limited to the many industry education sessions done on-line, in-person, and through meetings and conferences. This work continues into the annual CWSAA spring conference to be hosted in Whistler BC during April 2023. Multiple industry committees have already dedicated much volunteer time into content development for members (our sincere thanks to those working groups).
As CWSAA works to support the forementioned ski areas relating to insurance, and presses on other initiatives such as international work visas, energy costs, and land tenure regulation, the spring conference planning proceeds at a rapid rate and is the subject for much of this newsletter.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to the CWSAA team with any questions at start of the season.
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
April 25-27, 2023
Whistler Conference Centre
The Conference website is now live.
Check out the link below for details including:
- Registration rates & key dates
- Sponsorship Package
- Trade Show info, pricing & floor plan
- Accommodation info & links
View Conference Website
Priority Trade Show Registration for Sponsors - Now Open
- The Trade Show will return in its familiar pre-COVID format with a Tuesday evening Trade Show Reception, and Wednesday Trade Show Breakfast and Lunch.
- All sponsors will receive priority Trade Show booth selection in order of sponsorship contribution, provided that they confirmed sponsorship with CWSAA by January 13, 2023.
- Open Trade Show Registration (for non-sponsors) begins on January 25, 2003.
- Learn More about Sponsorship HERE
- Learn More about becoming a Trade Show Vendor HERE.
Conference Schedule & Important notes
- The conference will take place over 3 full days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) plus a pre-conference social on Monday.
- Full Conference Registration starts at $575. General registration opens on January 25 and the early bird rate will be offered until February 25.
- Committees are currently putting together content. A draft conference agenda and session list will be published prior to the January 25 registration opening date.
Accommodations
- Accommodations are selling out quickly through the Hilton & Delta Hotels, limited options remain. Book now, they will sell out soon.
- The Delta has options for teams to stay together in condo type 1 & 2 bedroom units (separate bedroom, plus sofabed).
- Learn more & book HERE.
Each year, CWSAA recognizes incredible industry leaders during our annual Spring Conference.
Nominations for the following 2023 CWSAA Awards must be submitted by February 7, 2023 to marketing@cwsaa.org. Download the Awards nominations packages HERE (CWSAA website login required)
- Jim Marshall Leadership Award
- Lars Fossberg Excellence Award
- Rod Chisholm Operations & Maintenance Award
- CWSAA Peak Performance Award
Please note, the Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a recipient identified by the Board of Directors. It may or may not be presented annually.
More information on the CWSAA Awards can be found HERE. The 2023 recipients will be honored at the 2023 CWSAA Spring Conference in Whistler.
The ski industry has been fortunate over the last two winter seasons to see strong domestic demand for outdoor recreation. It is incumbent on the industry across Canada to maximize all opportunities to seize this moment and opportunity to cultivate new participants for long term growth. The SnowPass is a national initiative to support this objective.
The SnowPass is a great way to get families skiing. Canadian Ski Council research shows that 68% of families skied more because of the Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass, 33% took a lesson while on the slopes, 23% of purchasers identified as visual minorities, and SnowPass purchasers on average visited with three additional skiers or snowboarders and spent an average of $377 while on resort – now that’s a profitable way to get more people on the slopes.
Ski areas are still able to sign up to participate in any of the national programs including SnowPass, Never Ever Days and Canadian Lift Pass.
A great new toolkit is now available to promote the SnowPass. Find the toolkit HERE.
Ways you can help to grow the sport.
- Place the Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass or Never Ever Days logo and/or ads on your website
- Share the digital ads in the toolkit throughout your social channels and newsletters.
- Follow the Canadian Ski Council & Go Skiing Go Snowboarding social channels and be a part of the story.
In 2021/22 CWSAA piloted a new bursary to support the recruitment of new instructors at small ski areas. The bursary will be continued for 2022/23. Applications are now open until December 15, 2022. This year the eligibility for the bursary has expanded:
- Alpine ski areas with up to 50,000 skier visits annually may apply.
- The age limit has now been removed to help recruit instructors of all demographics.
Please note the bursary must be applied for by the ski area manager and may cover up to 5 instructors per year. Ski areas may apply to have up to $250 per participant reimbursed upon successful completion. CASI and CSIA level 1 or 2 certification are eligible, however, priority will be given to level 1 training.
Please review the full details on eligibility, which can be found HERE along with the application form.
CWSAA and go2HR have compiled a valuable library of safety and HR resources for the ski industry. Some may be used for on-boarding, others are good for pre-shift huddles.
Find the resources HERE
Thank you to the Province of BC, two significant funding opportunities were announced earlier this month:
Both programs have opportunities for ski areas to fund projects in partnership with an eligible applicant (local governments, First Nations or not-for profit organizations).
Time is of the essence. Destination Development Program Expression of Interests are due December 7. REDIP applications are due January 4, 2023.
An emphasis is being made on 'shovel ready' projects, however, not all opportunities are infrastructure related. Consider projects that already have approvals in place or do not require a significant approval/regulatory/permit process.
It is recognized that the timelines are very tight and may present challenges due to your upcoming operations, but there may be an opportunity to fund some shovel ready projects or enhancements to your ski area.
Ski Areas are encouraged to review the program details and reach out to potential partners to consider an application. Further details were sent to Ski Area Managers on November 17.
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
CWSAA Partners
DRIVING FORCE provides several options for buses and passenger vans.
DRIVING FORCE provides several options for buses and passenger vans.
DRIVING FORCE is trusted by CWSAA for reliable vehicle solutions.
EASY RESERVATIONS: www.drivingforce.ca
CONTACT: 780-483-9559 or edmgdsreservations@drivingforce.ca
Staff Offer from Kal Tire: Download the Coupon
Thanks to the partnership with Kal Tire, all ski area staff and associate members of CWSAA are eligible to receive $100 off at Kal Tire. Please feel free to circulate this offer with your staff.
To redeem, click on the image to the left, and print the voucher or present on your mobile device in-store at Kal Tire.
Ski areas are reminded of the following important courses available online through Selkirk College.
Train the Trainer - LIFT 150: Ski Lift Operations Train-the-Trainer is designed to help ski lift supervisors or managers, develop a comprehensive program for training ski lift operators. This program is an online self-directed program, and has a continuous intake until March 1. Participants can start anytime and have 3 weeks to complete the content, and the exam. More information can be found HERE.
Passenger Ropeways Mechanics: The Lift 151, Lift 152 and Lift 153 are also self directed. Fall 2022 online training courses are wrapping up, with exams coming up next week. The Winter intake for Lift 151, 152 & 153 is now open, and runs from January 3 to April 17, 2023. Learn More & Register HERE.
Ski Resort Risk Management : Registration for the Winter 2023 Semester is open now. The winter course starts January 23, 2023 and runs until April 17, 2023. Register HERE.
Earlier this month Don and Debbie Muirhead, founders of the Inter-Mtn. group of companies, completed the transfer of ownership of Inter-Mtn. Testing Ltd. to their son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Sarah Muirhead. Inter-Mtn. Testing Ltd. was launched in 1987 providing quality inspections of wire rope, lifting devices, and specialized non-destructive testing. Ross has been a presenter at many CWSAA Conferences and the entire Muirhead family have been actively involved in CWSAA.
Photo: Founders Debbie and Don Muirhead (left), and the new second-generation owners of Inter-Mtn. Testing Ltd., Ross and Sarah (right) celebrate the occasion.
Read the announcement HERE.
Peter Alder was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Class of 2022, on November 24. Peter Alder spent his life in the ski industry in Western Canada. He had a big impact on the industry, managing Red Mountain, Silver Star, Big White and Whistler Mountain. He was instrumental in setting up the Selkirk College Ski Area Management program, helped found the Canada West Ski Area Association as well as acting as president of that association a number of times. He also worked for the Lift Inspections branch of the BC Government. He passed away last year in July. Congratulations also goes to Paul Mathews and all the other inductees. Read More HERE.
The Manning & District Ski Club (Manning Alberta) is a community-based volunteer run hill serviced by a T-Bar. The 30-year old T-bar haul rope was replaced earlier this month and volunteers Mat, Trevor, Ben, Dallas and Kaitie braved the cold to participate in the splice.
The T-bar has 35 carriers and provides access to 4 main runs, plus some additional 'bush runs.'
Penny Lindballe of Valley Ski Club near Alliance, Alberta, toured CWSAA around the ski area’s extensive slope, electrical, and lighting improvements. Penny serves on the CWSAA Board of Directors and is a high ranking official for ski cross competition. She and Katherine Seleski of Pass Powderkeg tag team as champions for small area initiatives including on-line webinars, the spring conference workshop and much more.
CWSAA wishes to congratulate Troy Hudson, GM at Sovereign Lake, as the recipient of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year. Sovereign Lake was also recognized with the Tourism Excellence Award. Read More
Lawrence Blouin of Table Mountain checks out the maneuverable SnowDog.com used by Falcon Ridge ski area for its winter fat tire bike trails through the trees. Lawrence received the CWSAA Jimmie Spencer Lifetime Achievement Award this spring, and this fall is succeeded by Anders Svenson from Mission Ridge as the SSAOA Chair and Lawrence serves as immediate past Chair.
Ryan Gemmel and Caleigh Christie, GM, of Falcon Ridge ski area at Falcon Lake, Manitoba, hosted the SSAOA fall meeting attracting operators from across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The family run business operates multiple surface lifts for winter skiing and riding, attracts year-round get-away guests, and offers luxury eco-lodge experiences that are featured by Travel Manitoba.