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Canada West Ski Areas Association names new president

Former Tourism Sun Peaks president Christopher Nicolson brings wealth of industry experience to role
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MR. PRESIDENT Former Sun Peaks Tourism president Christopher Nicolson assumes his new role as head of the Canada West Ski Areas Association on April 4. Photo taken from Twitter

The Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) has a new leader at the helm.

Former Sun Peaks Tourism president Christopher Nicolson was officially named as the trade association's new president and CEO in a March 10 press release.

“Mr. Nicolson brings with him 30 years of direct ski industry and association experience,” said Steve Paccagnan, chair of the CWSAA board of directors. “He has worked at leading North American and European resorts as well as community ski hills, and is highly regarded by the industry. We feel pleased to have secured a CEO with his knowledge of association leadership, integrity, and infectious enthusiasm for our industry.”

Nicolson has worked at a number of resorts over the years, with past positions at Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Forbidden Plateau and St. Anton, Austria. Most recently he was a part of the leadership team at Tourism Sun Peaks, and has served as chair or director for various industry committees, including the Canadian Ski Council International Marketing Committee, the CWSAA Marketing Advisory Group, and the BC Nordic Ski Society.

Nicolson is no stranger to North America’s largest ski resort either, having served as Whistler Blackcomb’s public relations manager from 2001 to 2004. He also continues to volunteer as a coach at his local ski club.

Nicolson takes over for former CWSAA head Dave Lynn, who announced his resignation in January after five years with the association. Nicolson begins in his new role on April 4.

CWSAA represents 133 ski areas across Western Canada in the areas of government advocacy, safety management, media relations, marketing and industry conferences. For more information, visit www.cwsaa.org.

For more on this story, check out Pique’s interview with Nicolson in this Thursday’s issue.