CWSAA: October 2021 Newsletter

CWSAA Directors Penny Lindballe and Katherine Seleski concluded a call with community ski areas this week by asking for success stories.  The responses were fantastic.  From covered conveyors to new cats to lodge improvements there were many great stories.  This was amplified on a quick visit this week to some BC and Alberta ski areas to witness new lifts, expanded parking, and the many protocol preparations for the winter.  On top of that, many ski areas have received their first tease of snow and started up snowmaking systems.   Restricted travel and reduced visitor revenues have placed an immense toll on destination areas and their communities, but there has also been opportunity to grow local markets and introduce skiing and snowboarding to many first-timers.  In the day-to-day effort to maintain ski areas operations and adjust to rapidly changing health orders, the responses to Penny and Katherine’s question was refreshing and a great reminder of the confidence and opportunities in our ski community.    

In preparation for this winter, many ski areas have said that planning has been harder than last season.  Ski areas are closely following guidance from health regulators, but there are increased variations between provincial/territorial jurisdictions, a rise in regional orders, and significant complexities to policies around vaccination.  In response, most ski areas have multiple versions of operating plans based upon coming clarifications from authorities.  The experience from last winter serves us a guide for this winter.  Following health orders, incorporating industry best practices, and remaining nimble and flexible to adjust operations is a familiar mantra.  CWSAA has supported this with an unprecedented number of calls and communications with managers to keep on top of quickly evolving regulations.   Several months ago, we had hoped that there would be some predictability to the coming winter.  This has not been the case this fall, and it is to the credit of areas operators that they embrace the ever shifting environment.  

New Federal Business Support Programs https://cwsaa.org/newsletter/october-2021-newsletter/#recovery

CWSAA Small Areas Instructor Bursary

Ski areas can apply by November 15. 

Fall Division Meeting Recap

Presentations available in the Member's Only area of website.

Selkirk College Online Programs

Lift courses, textbook, Tales of SROAM Success, SROAM Annual Report

National Skier Growth Initiatives https://cwsaa.org/newsletter/october-2021-newsletter/#csc

Go Deeper - Destination Canada campaign https://cwsaa.org/newsletter/october-2021-newsletter/#deeper

BC Labour Shortage Survey https://cwsaa.org/newsletter/october-2021-newsletter/#survey

Places & Faces

Inter-Mtn. Enterprises; Kim Jones & Kim Locke; Springhill; Lake Louise