The Canmore Nordic Centre is offering free ski passes and first aid training to volunteers as it attempts to expand its snow host program.
Similar to services found at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village, CNC snow hosts offer guidance.
“We’re a friendly face, providing advice and deciphering the maps, and recommending which trails are best for beginners,” said volunteer Linda Dunbar. “We’re not there to instruct. We’re there to be a presence, and call if there are accidents.”
Equipped with extra wax, a small first aid kit and a good knowledge of the trails, snow hosts are typically on trail on weekends and holidays, when the number of new skiers generally increases. Since the CNC has a litany of trail options, snow hosts help keep skiers on trails suitable to their skill level.
“A lot of people go out farther than they’re capable of going. They get stuck on the Bow Trail or Meadowview and they are exhausted. I ski back with some of them, and offer encouragement. If they are hypothermic or completely exhausted, we call for help,” Dunbar said. “We get a lot of beginners on the weekend. We try to get them to stick to Banff Trail or the recreational loop (the lit loop).”
Wearing distinctive green ski vests, snow hosts tend to work in three-hour shifts, and are located across the trail system. Trailsport instructors assess them for basic ski skills so they can help skiers navigate tricky portions of terrain, such as steep climbs or downhill sections, or point them in the right direction.
“The best part is connecting with people and encouraging people to enjoy the sport and love being out there,” Dunbar said. “It’s a good service because there is a safety factor as well. We’re keeping an eye out for people.”
Those interested in joining the snow host program can contact [email protected].
