By Geoff Scotton, Ski Improvement Clinic Coordinator, Mountain Division (geoffscotton@skipatrol.ca)
More than 180 CSP members, their families and their friends wrapped up the 2022 CSP Mountain Division Ski Improvement Clinic at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort February 11, with new skiing and snowboarding skills, some new friends and for most, some awfully tired legs.
The clinic was held across two separate weeks, January 23 to 28 and February 6 to 11, 2022, with close to 90 attendees in Week 1 and close to 100 in Week 2. A few program changes had to be made due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it was a far cry from 2021, when the pandemic forced the cancellation of the event.
For many, it was the first big trip of any kind since the pandemic began in March 2020, and there were huge smiles everywhere. What a blast! The weather was warm and the snow soft.
Attendees enjoy four days of lessons in groups of similar skiing or boarding competency, by top-notch CSIA and CASI instructors. There is a major component of guided exploration of the mountain, and with 2,825 skiable acres, 128 runs, four alpine bowls and 85 in-bound chutes, Kicking Horse delivers lots to explore. Daily, er, rehydration sessions were held at the Peaks Grill.
Attendees are CSP members, along with family and friends from across Canada and beyond. We had individuals from the U.K. and the U.S., and major contingents from British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Of course the CSP Mountain Division (Alberta and the Yukon) was very well represented. The CSP Mountain Division has organized and presented the clinic at cost for many years.
Photos provided by Geoff Scotton