Big White Ski Resort, BC, and Ogopogo Zone Recognized with Top Canadian Ski Patrol Division Awards

Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia, and the Canadian Ski Patrol Ogopogo Zone (CSPOZ) have received two of the highest honors presented by the Canadian Ski Patrol’s Pacific South Division, recognizing their shared commitment to mountain safety and the ski patrol community.

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Big White Ski Resort received the Division Appreciation Award for its ongoing support of the Canadian Ski Patrol at the local, regional, national, and international levels. This support included hosting the 25th Congress of the International Federation of Ski Patrols, known as the XXV Federation Internationale de Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS) World Congress, earlier this year.

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The international gathering brought ski patrol representatives from more than 15 countries to Big White to exchange knowledge, develop safety practices, and strengthen connections across the global patrol community. The resort also previously hosted the Pacific South Division’s first aid competition.

“The people behind the Canadian Ski Patrol give their time, expertise, and care to help keep mountain communities safe, and we are incredibly proud to support them. Hosting the FIPS World Congress allowed us to welcome patrol leaders from around the world and celebrate the skill and professionalism of this community. To receive this recognition alongside the Ogopogo Zone makes it especially meaningful, because its volunteers are an important part of the Big White family,” Michael J. Ballingall, senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort, said.

The CSPOZ also received the Division Outstanding Zone Award, celebrating the hard work, dedication, and achievements of its volunteer patrol team. Together, Big White Ski Resort and the CSPOZ earned two of the Pacific South Division’s top awards for 2026.

“Congratulations to Big White Ski Resort on receiving the Canadian Ski Patrol Division Appreciation Award. This recognition reflects its exceptional and ongoing support of the Canadian Ski Patrol at the local, regional, national, and international levels, including the successful hosting of the 2026 XXV FIPS World Congress and last year’s divisional first aid competition. Big White consistently goes well beyond what is expected, contributing significant time and effort in support of the snow sports and ski patrol communities,” Eduard Erbiceanu, president of the CSPOZ, said.

The Pacific South Division comprises six zones whose members provide volunteer public safety services at ski areas throughout British Columbia.

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The 2026-27 CSPOZ season is already underway, with the Ogopogo Zone holding its initial volunteer open house on Sept. 10. Training classes begin Sept. 15 and will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Big White Ski Resort extends its congratulations and appreciation to the CSPOZ volunteers for their continued service, professionalism, and commitment to helping create a safe and welcoming mountain environment.