CWSAA January 2025 Newsletter - Canada West Ski Areas AssociationPresidents Message This past week, the CWSAA Board of Directors had a special opportunity to meet for its mid-winter meeting at Sunshine Village in the spectacular sub-alpine Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Throughout the year, most Board meetings and work is conducted virtually, so this in-person opportunity allowed for robust discussions. A cornerstone of this meeting was establishing the strategic directions for CWSAA, informed by the 2024 member services survey and detailed Director interviews. The Board was pleased to see alignment with member sentiment. While the final documentation is being prepared for review and distribution to members, the core directives of CWSAA remain consistent, with an incremental focus on operational support for operators and amplifying our collective industry voice. Both initiatives directly help operators grow and optimize their operations. My early morning of departure from Sunshine Village allowed for a magical ski from the alpine to the valley floor, and I then carried on to beautiful Lake Louise. In conversation with Chris DeWitt, and the opportunity to meet Richard Burkley and Dave Schebek in the same room, all shared excitement about the significant impacts of the new Pipestone Express bubble chair on Lake Louise’s skier flow. With three major upload points now from the base, the holiday traffic felt seamless. And with regards to the new terrain—well, you can imagine! These visits reminded me of the significant investments being made by resorts. This year alone in Western Canada, new lift installations at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village join major upgrades at Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks, and Grouse Mountain. The commitments of these resort owners are remarkable. Later, while heading west to connect with new Kicking Horse GM Richard Oszust, I reflected on the incredible depth of talent in our industry. This newsletter highlights the passing of several exceptional individuals who helped shape our industry, as well as the announcement of new Z98 leadership. The next generation of leaders has been mentored by industry titans like Warren Sparks and Danny Cox, who have shepherded Z98 for many years while contributing significantly to their companies. Their dedication serves as an example for all of us. It’s worth noting that Warren and Danny served as suppliers to ski areas, further showcasing the intricately linked and wonderfully interwoven nature of the ski community. The recent call for sponsorships for the Spring Conference emphasized this collaboration. While sponsorship obviously has promotional aspects, in speaking with many conference supporters recently, it is clear that even higher value is placed on contributing to the greater good. Unlike many associations, CWSAA’s Spring Conference is not a primary fundraiser. Rather it strives to include as many delegates from industry as possible. By offsetting expenses and expanding content, the exchange of industry knowledge and expertise advances our industry. In a time when many new faces are entering industry management, we owe deep appreciation to our sponsors for making the conference and industry progress possible. Thank you. - Christopher Nicolson Highlights of this month's newsletter... Conference Registration Opens Jan 28 From January 28 - February 27, take advantage of early bird registration rates and get your seat at the Spring Conference. The draft agenda has now been posted to the conference website. Z98 Code & Committee Update Learn about the latest version of the Z98:24 code and new industry representation. SROAM program at Selkirk College The Ski Resort Operations & Management 2-year Diploma program is a great opportunity for leadership development. Registration is now open for September 2025 start. The winter semester of Passenger Ropeways and Risk Management online industry courses has just got underway, but its not too late to join. De-escalation Tools to keep workplaces safe Honouring Visionaries Remembering Al Raine, Roger McCarthy, David Pym, John Gow and Jimmy Miles Over the past few months, the Canadian ski industry has experienced the loss of five extraordinary individuals. This newsletter shares how these leaders made a significant impact on the ski industry. Tidbits of Change A father daughter duo's journey to visit all Alberta ski areas while building community. Community Ski Area Feature: Asessippi The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum's monthly feature visits Asessippi in Manitoba. Places & Faces Lake Louise's Pipestone Express Mike Reitzell Ski Valley Richard Oszust Mt Washington Walt Judus |