Gibson has been involved with the CWSAA for eight years, the past four as Chair, B.C. and Yukon Zone, which represents 47 resorts in the region. “I have known Peter for 30 years and I am delighted that he will be at the helm as the chair,” said Jimmy Spencer of Vernon, President of the CSWAA.
Gibson has been with Mount Washington since the year before the Resort opened in 1979. The past 10 years he has served as its President.
“This position will allow me to give back to the larger ‘snow’ industry which has been so important in my life,” Gibson said, adding that he is excited to assume this new role.
“It was an expected move,” he said, explaining that when the former Alberta Zone chair moved into that role, he was told in two years’ time he would ascend the chairmanship.
“It’s going to be a pivotal time in the direction the CWSAA is going to take,” Gibson said. Spencer will retire as President and CEO in the next year and Gibson will be on a committee of three that will recommend who Spencer’s successor will be. “Jimmy’s done an incredible job with this organization,” Gibson said.
The CWSAA is the representative body for the ski areas and heli- and snowcat operations for all of B.C., Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Association represents 93 snow resorts, 160 associate members, 17 heli-ski operations and two international resorts.
The Association’s mandate is to maintain a strong working relationship between resorts and promote the interests and co-operation between all ski area operators, industry suppliers and all levels of government.
There is a great deal of communicating that goes on between resorts, which is a benefit to resorts that are somewhat isolated, Gibson said.“It’s good for Mount Washington to be seen as a leader.”