May 10, 2026 - The CCSAA Annual Conference traveled to Canmore, Alberta for a truly standout industry event. Under warm, sunny skies, Nordic ski area professionals from across the U.S. and Canada gathered for three days of hands-on learning, collaborative discussion, and meaningful time with peers who share a commitment to delivering great skiing experiences.

From shop tours, snowmaking discussions, and grooming technique sessions to thoughtful panels and energizing breakout groups, the event offered a fresh look at the ideas, tools, and techniques shaping the future of cross-country skiing.

Canmore’s terrain, facilities, and hospitality provided a seamless backdrop. With lodging, indoor sessions, and meals all based in town, attendees could easily move between sessions, connect with others, and explore the village.

The warm weather added an unexpected bonus—ideal conditions for skiing, outdoor workshops, grooming demos, and time on the trails before heading into town.

Social at Canmore Lodge
The day concluded with a social at the Canmore lodge, featuring beer sponsored by Andrea from TechnoAlpin, followed by the first group dinner at the host hotel.

Day 2
Thursday morning began on snow with open skiing, groomer demos, a Mr. Snow demonstration (a synthetic surface for both skate and classic skiing), and a group ski led by former Canadian National Team member and Nordic-Pulse founder Julian Locke.

Mid-morning featured a World Cup course preparation discussion with an FIS Technical Delegate and the WinSport Canada Sport & Facility Manager.

This was followed by the popular right seat/left seat grooming session, where participants spent an hour in a snowcat sharing techniques and insights.

After a full morning, the afternoon shifted indoors for presentations, discussions, a silent auction, and a vendor expo.

Session #1 – Keynote
Canmore General Manager Alaric Fish shared the history and evolution of the venue, along with insights into its business model and operational considerations.

Session #2 – Panel Discussions (Concurrent)
New this year, concurrent panels allowed attendees to choose topics most relevant to them and enabled teams to divide and maximize learning.
• Community Connections – Focused on engaging local communities through volunteers, events, and accessible programming.
• Maximizing Nordic Pulse – Led by Julian Locke and experienced users, this session explored current capabilities and future potential. A common takeaway: many areas are not yet fully utilizing existing features.

Session #3 – Discussion Groups
Participants again selected topics of interest:
• Working with the Forest Service – Strategies for navigating evolving relationships with public land agencies.
• Risk Management – Covered foundational practices, including the importance of accessible incident plans.
• Landowner Relations – Focused on easements, agreements, and balancing formal and informal arrangements.
• Snow Depth Tracking – Explored technology and data insights from Prinoth and PistenBully.

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