During a time when there seems to be more contraction and purse-string tightening than open checkbooks, members of the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) are expanding the organization’s support for small ski areas. 

In August, the CWSAA board of directors approved updates to the Small Areas Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to eligible ski areas to send personnel to CWSAA education and risk management events.

The updates include an annual funding increase from $2,000 to $2,500 per ski area, and eligibility expanded from ski areas with fewer than 20,000 annual skier visits to fewer than 50,000 skier visits. The smallest of operations will continue to have priority for funding. Eligible ski areas may also use up to $500 per year to help pay for legal review of ski area waivers. 

With the increased annual limit, ski areas that already reached their previous funding maximum through participating in CWSAA’s Spring Conference may now have additional funds available to support attending CWSAA meetings this fall, of which there are several. 

CWSAA CEO Christopher Nicolson said the updates expand the number of eligible ski areas by 14. A total of 57 member ski areas can now apply for the financial assistance.