This is arguably the most exciting time of year for our industry.
The unmistakable magical clean scent of the first snow in the alpine and frosts on the ground have arrived. Following a few teasers, the snow on the peaks in some regions will now stay for the winter. Excited new staff arrive and join our teams, and by the time of the newsletter next month, there will be ski areas open.
Granted, there is the annual massive divide between the weather wishes of the marketing teams to build consumer enthusiasm, and that of the operational teams to complete projects. But that is also all part of the vibe.
I had the opportunity to visit team members at Whistler Blackcomb last week, and witness the near completion of the new Fitzsimmons eight-person express chair. Aerial lift installations are also underway on Whistler’s upper mountain (Jersey Cream), Marmot Basin, Grouse Mountain, Mt. Seymour, Sun Peaks, Whitewater, and Lake Louise to name a few with new lifts being announced at other ski areas like Sunshine Village. Plus many surface lift installations such as Tawatinaw. Many large lift installations have now adopted a two year construction window. It is an exciting time.
CWSAA has taken inventory of the ASM and BCY Division meetings and Bike Park Forum and actioned advancements for 2024 in spring and fall. By the time of this newsletter, CWSAA will be on the road to its last fall meeting at Wapiti, Saskatchewan and visiting northern Alberta and Saskatchewan ski area members.
Part of the fall meetings include reminders of available resources for ski areas. Knowledge of these resources may be especially important to share with new staff and for season preparation.
- Exclusion of Liability safety & risk education program - book your one-on-one meeting
- Updated Alpine Responsibility Code signage
- Order Safety signage & accident forms
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) response for Mountain Professionals
- Small Area Assistance Fund (watch for application in December for Spring Conference, due Jan 31, 2024).
- CWSAA Small Areas Ski School Instructor Training Bursary is now open until December 15 for applications.
- Competitor Pass Program - Ski areas will receive a memo in the coming days with information on athlete lists and redemption process.
- Presentations from the spring and fall conferences are also on the CWSAA member website.
- Stay informed on industry news by signing up for CWSAA newsletter and following the CWSAA facebook page
If any of these look unfamiliar, please contact Dawn, Cynthia or Christopher at the CWSAA office for assistance.
Good luck to all members in the weeks leading up to the season starts. Enjoy the excitement.
Cheers
– Christopher Nicolson
2024 CWSAA Spring Conference
April 21-24, 2024
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta
Start thinking about your awards nominations. Details of the awards can be found HERE.
Accommodation: Room rates start at $199 per night + a $16/night Resort Fee + taxes. Complimentary self-parking.
Stay tuned, in late November CWSAA will be sharing:
- Accommodation booking link and important booking info
- Conference rates and more information on events
- Sponsorship and Trade Show info & sign up
- CWSAA Awards nominations
2023 CWSAA Fall Meetings
A big thank you to all the presenters who shared insightful content and make these events possible.
CWSAA members can access the presentations by logging onto this website and then following this LINK.
Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba (ASM) Division Meeting at Canyon Resort (Red Deer)
Bike Park Forum at SilverStar Mountain Resort
BC-Yukon Division Meeting at SilverStar Mountain Resort
BC Short Term Rental Legislation
The BC Government recently introduced short-term rental policy.
Like other urban centres, housing is a priority for mountain communities. However, unlike the mainstream, many mountain and purpose built communities are entirely dependent on short term visitors. These destinations were created to leverage the province’s natural assets, and now support BC families with 20,000 jobs, $900 million in wages, and creates over $2 billion of annual economic activity for mostly rural BC. For this reason, the government has not included mountain resort areas (and 14 resort regions, small municipalities, regional districts), in some parts of the proposed legislation as other tools including master development plans, covenants, and local municipal by-laws (where applicable) exist in these unique communities.
The ski sector applauds the Province and Mountain Resorts Branch for its strategic application and commitment to the All Season Resort Policy that has guided the sustainable development of recreational communities in all regions of BC.
TIAA Advocacy & Summer Pulse Survey
Congratulations to the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA) and their successful 2023 Hill Days in Ottawa. Paul Pinchbeck (CSC) represented the ski industry, pictured right with Darren Reeder of TIAA.
The delegation actively engaged in productive dialogues throughout 16 meetings spanning 8 different ministries. This included conversations with Minister Ferrada, Minister Boissonnault, Assistant Deputy Minister Michele Kingsley , Senator Sorensen, MP Baldinelli, MP Iacono, and more. The team highlighted the significance of the tourism industry and presented strategies for nurturing a sustainable and thriving visitor economy in Alberta.
Summer Pulse Survey Closes Soon
The Alberta Tourism Business Summer Pulse Survey conducted by Leger on behalf of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta closes on October 31. As we enter this new, uncertain, period of mixed economic signals, it is more important than ever to have robust input from tourism industry operators about the issues that matter most.
Complete the survey HERE. Eligible participants that complete the full survey will be entered into a draw for a $500.00 WESTJET gift certificate.
National Snowsports Growth Opportunities
The Grade 4/5 SnowPass is now available for consumers to purchase (soft launch), and the sales campaign will begin in November.
It's not too late to sign your ski area up to participate in the SnowPass
Under the CSC's comprehensive "Go Skiing Go Snowboarding" initiative are three main programs: Grade 4/5 SnowPass, Never Ever Days and the Canadian Lift Pass, plus nationwide research programs and a technology platform to foster the growth of snowsports across Canada.
A comprehensive industry research program is conducted by the CSC. Ski area partners will receive a variety of reports and workshops on a quarterly basis. These include, but are not limited to, Consumer Satisfaction Report, Consumer Profile, Canadian Model for growth results, Global Research, Foundational Research, Segmentation, Advocacy and more. To receive all this great data (as well as to participate in other CSC programs like SnowPass and Never Ever Days), the ski area must be a participant in the Canadian Lift Pass (CLP) Program.
The SnowPass Program
This program serves as an introductory investment opportunity for ski areas. Students in Grade 4 or 5 (now valid for one year) can redeem up to 2 free visits to your ski area. While ski areas do not directly generate revenue from SnowPass redemptions, research indicates that SnowPass holders typically bring along an average of three additional family members who collectively spend an average of $377 per visit! A portion of SnowPass revenues contributes to the safety & education, and regional advocacy work funded by the CWSAA. Ski areas can sign up to participate HERE.
All Ski Areas are encouraged to learn more about the CSC programs and sign-up to participate. Links to the commitment forms can be found below:
If you have any questions, please reach out to programsupport@skicanada.org.
Updated Alpine Responsibility Code
In Case you missed it....
CWSAA and its partner associations across Canada have adopted an updated Alpine Responsibility Code. The updated Code uses the same 10 points as NSAA's Code (which was updated last year) to ensure alignment of messaging across North America. The Canadian Alpine Responsibility Code will maintain its name to distinguish it from the Mountain Bike and Cross Country ski responsibility codes, while the NSAA's US Code is called Your Responsibility Code.
This update is intended to be phased in over the next 12 months.
How to get the updated Alpine Responsibility Code:
- Ski areas can refer to a memo to GMs dated September 8, 2023 to download digital assets (eg for websites).
- CWSAA distributed posters to members during the Fall Division Meetings.
- For ski areas that did not attend the Fall Division Meetings, you may log on to our website and order HERE. Shipping charges will apply.
- Ski areas looking for larger quantities or different size/formats can order through Inter-Mtn Enterprises.
Selkirk College Lift Courses: Register for training to prepare for the season ahead
Don't miss out on the the fall semester for online Passenger Ropeways/lift courses (Lift 151, Lift 152 &Lift 153). The Fall 2023 Semester is self-paced and is now underway until December 10, with final exams on December 12, 13 & 14.
Lift 150 Train the Trainer is designed to support lift supervisors or managers develop a comprehensive program for training their operators. Used across Canada to prepare supervisors and managers as trainers, Lift 150 is currently required for certification by Technical Safety BC (TSBC) for all passenger ropeway trainers in British Columbia. This program is self-paced and estimated at 20 hours, plus an exam at the end (accredited exam invigilator required).
These courses are in high demand each Fall, ensure you have the appropriate staff trained and register them now! Learn More & Register HERE
CWSAA Members are invited to post their jobs on the CWSAA Job Board.
CWSAA Partners
EASY RESERVATIONS: www.drivingforce.ca
CONTACT: 780-483-9559 or edmgdsreservations@drivingforce.ca
Save 10% on vehicle rentals with code "CWSAA"
Whitewater Ski Resort, Nelson BC
Quality Tires at an affordable price
Learn More about Kal Tire's current promotions HERE.
Places & Faces
It is with heavy hearts that we share the unfortunate news of the passing Keith Buchanan, owner of Purden Ski Area (near Prince George). On September 26, Keith Buchanan lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash near the ski area. CWSAA has reached out to Michaela Buchanan (Keith's wife) and offered industry support.
Picture left of Michaela and Keith during a CWSAA visit to Purden in 2016.
Last month, current Rabbit Hill General Manager Derek Look and Accountant Chuck Amerongen and their families together purchased Rabbit Hill Snow Resort in Edmonton. Read more in the News Release
CWSAA was honoured to host Andy Spencer at dinner during the CWSAA BC-Y Division meeting. Thank you Andy for your many years of service to CWSAA members.
Doug Macfarlane tours CWSAA to the top of the new Fitzsimmons 8-person express chairlift at Whistler Blackcomb
Innisfail Ski Hill’s Bernie Vanderham showed the CWSAA team the lift and new lodge in Innisfail, Alberta.
Andre Quenneville (Mt Norquay) and Jason Tamagi (Sunshine Village) listen to Alberta Tourism Minister Joseph Schow at TIAA Advocacy Summit.
Wally is part of the team at Ski Salmo (Salmo, BC) that has made skiing possible in the Kootenay community
The Selkirk College SROAM Advisory Committee met with faculty and mentored students in its September meetings in Nelson.
Summit Lake Ski Area (Nakusp, BC) is fortunate to have Tim and Rob involved in the community ski area.
Whistler Blackcomb’s Kate Roddick (& CWSAA Director), and Whistler Blackcomb COO Belinda Trembath are joined by Tourism Whistler CEO Barrett Fisher.
A new short film "NGR" will feature Nancy Greene Raine on her life, ski racing career, her role at Sun Peaks Resort and how she has been a remarkable role model and inspiration to many. The 10 minute film was produced by Origin Outside and is available with licensing costs to show in November/December. The premiere will be held at Sun Peaks this week.
Earlier this month Bonnie and Michelle Wiegele, announced that Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing will be sold to Alterra Mountain Company. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing will become Alterra’s 18th destination operation, which includes Canadian properties Blue Mountain in Ontario, Tremblant in Quebec, and Canadian Mountain Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures (CMH). Read More