Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) has provided a $12,000 donation to help support the efforts of the Canadian Avalanche Association and Canadian Avalanche Centre.

A cheque presentation ceremony took place at Fernie Alpine Resort on Saturday, January 12th, as part of the ski resort’s Avalanche Awareness Days activities.

“The Canadian Avalanche Foundation is such an important cause, providing crucial education and information to snow safety teams and backcountry skiers and riders,” says Matt Mosteller, Senior Director of Business Development for RCR, “We share a mutual priority –safety is #1. We are pleased to continue to support their efforts to help ensure safety in the backcountry.”

L to R: Steve Ruskay (Fernie Ski Patrol), Gordon Ritchie (Canadian Avalanche Foundation), Matt Mosteller (Resorts of the Canadian Rockies), Robin Siggers (Fernie Alpine Resort)
Photo Courtesy of Fernie Alpine Resort

Avalanche Awareness Days activities also took place at Lake Louise Mountain Resort last weekend, as well as at a number of ski resorts across Canada.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is proud to announce the winners of the the Canadian SnowSports Retailers and Reps of the Year. Winners will be honored at an Awards Ceremony during the SIA.08 SnowSports Trade Show January 29-February 1, 2008, in Las Vegas. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 30 at 8:30 am in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center lobby. Awardees were chosen based on specific criteria and for consistently making a significant impact in the snow sports industry.

Winners of the Canadian accolades came from six different territories in their country. Canadian retail winners were nominated by suppliers and reps while the Canadian Rep winners were nominated by retail shops. “We were very pleased to see that the industry is continuing to show their support of the snow sports rep and retail community and recognize their hard work and dedication to the industry,” said Sara Hobbs of SIA. “We look forward to continue raising awareness of the overall SIA awards programs and its winners.”

Canadian SnowSports Retailers of the Year:
Alberta — The Source (Calgary)
Atlantic — Ballistic Skate & Snow (St. John’s, Newfoundland)*
British Columbia — Costal Riders (Surrey)
– Snow Covers (Vancouver)*
Manitoba/Saskatchewan — Outtabounds (Saskatoon)
Ontario — Sporting Life (Toronto)*
Quebec — Axis (Tremblant)
– Daniel Lachance Ski Service (Mount Tremblant)
*Note: Repeat winners

Canadian SnowSports Rep of the Year:
Alberta — Ian Hunter
Atlantic — Steve Smith
British Columbia — Mike Clarke
Manitoba/Saskatchewan — Andrew Hicks
Ontario — Lance Webb; Keri Webb
Quebec — André Dallaire*
*Note: Repeat winners

“Receiving this award justifies that our relentless pursuit to give our customers the best in brands, products and the overall customer experience. To be acknowledged by our industry is a credit to the hard working staff we have from buyers to management right to our sales professionals,” said John Roe of Sporting Life.

These awards are part of the overall awards program that SIA has continued to build over the past several years. Other awards currently included in the program: the US SnowSports Rep of the Year and Supplier of the Year awards. Information on the awards program and previous winners can be found on the association website at www.snowsports.org.

Husky Energy, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), and Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) are helping kids get and stay in shape with the Husky Snow Stars Grade 2 FunPasses program.

The Husky Snow Stars Grade 2 FunPasses program provides Alberta and British Columbia Grade 2 students the opportunity to learn and build their skiing and snowboarding skills, while encouraging healthy, active, family activities.

The program, now in its fifth season, was initiated in 2003 by Husky Energy, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, and is endorsed by Alpine Canada Alpin Alberta’s Promise. Grade 2 FunPasses holders are given an RCR Super Pass for the 2007/08 ski season. This pass entitles them to unlimited use at Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, and Nakiska.

“Childhood obesity and inactivity is an increasing problem among Canadian children,” says Matt Mosteller, Senior Director, Business Development for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. “This program promotes healthy, active lifestyles from a young age by introducing kids to skiing and snowboarding. It also encourages families to participate in sports together, which we feel is very important to encourage.”

The Husky Snow Stars Grade 2 FunPasses program is privately funded. Says Mosteller, “With the success we have experienced in the four previous seasons, we are eager to see the incredible long-term benefits for kids from this program. This is an excellent way to get kids active in winter.”

To qualify, the child must be in Grade 2 (or born in 2000). A copy of a birth certificate, current Grade 2 report card, or last year’s Grade 1 report card must be provided for a pass to be issued. There is a $10 pass processing fee.

For more information about the Husky Snow Stars Grade 2 FunPasses, please visit www.skircr.com or call 1-800-258-7669 (SNOW).

With a stunning 225cm (90 inch) snowpack, Fernie Alpine Resort has the most snow of any ski resort in the Canadian Rockies. The ski resort has received 440cm (almost 15 feet) of snow so far this winter, with 66cm (26 inches) in the past 7 days.

“Fernie is the #1 place to be in the Canadian Rockies right now for powder,” says Matt Mosteller, Senior Director of Business Development for the ski resort.

Mark Elson finds powder in Curry Bowl
Photo taken on January 8th, courtesy of Robin Siggers

The Resort will play host to a number of events this month, including the Kokanee Snow Dreams Party taking place on Saturday, January 26th, 2008. Named the “Best Deck Party” by Ski Canada Magazine in 2006, the bash celebrates Fernie’s epic snowfalls, glacier-fresh Kokanee beer, sasquatches, rangers, Kokanee Glacier Girls and the wild imaginings of diehard skiers and snowboarders. Enjoy live music, ice cold Kokanee beer, and there will be plenty of prizes to be had with the sasquatch mating call competition, and glacier girl and ranger look-alike contests. Visit www.skifernie.com/snowdreams <http://www.skifernie.com/snowdreams> for details. The party will be held at the legendary Griz Bar, Kokanee Deck and Outdoor Plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort.

Named this fall as one of the Top 5 Ski Resorts in North America by Skiing Magazine, and one of the Top Powder Destinations by Fall Line Magazine, Fernie Alpine Resort is known for powder.

The International Ice Sculpture Competition at Lake Louise has become a qualifying event for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association, renowned international accredited teams are given 15 blocks of ice and 34 hours of carving time over a 2½ day event to create masterpieces. Beginning in 2009, the bar has been set higher as carvers will accumulate points needed to qualify for the International Ice Competition in Whistler, BC, in 2010. The Lake Louise competition is the only qualifying event in Western Canada.

“This recognition is a great step forward for the festival. Ice Magic has been growing exponentially and several new events have been added this year. We look forward to showcasing Lake Louise to the world through this special acknowledgement” says Andrea Thiessen, Director of Events and Special Projects for Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

This year’s theme “Celebrating Snow Queen, Ice Fairies and The Enchanted Forest” will bring ice carving teams from as far away as Nigeria, as well as the Banff Centre’s Canadian composer Patrick Cardy’s adapted score of The Snow Queen for string quartet. The competition starts January 25.

Also new this year is Baker Creek Chalet’s Ice Playground, Samson Mall’s Little Chippers Children’s Carving and Lake Louise Inn’s One Hour, One Carver, One Block. Watch in on the Canmore Eagles Hockey Game at the Recreation Centre or a dog-sledding demonstration, as the entire community of Lake Louise celebrates the Ice Magic Festival weekend.

For a full schedule, visit www.banfflakelouise.com/icemagic.