By Geoff Scotton, Mountain Division Ski Improvement Clinic Coordinator (geoffscotton@skipatrol.ca)

There were a lot of tired ski and snowboard legs – and some huge smiles – February 28 as the third of three CSP Mountain Division Ski Improvement Clinic weeks wrapped up at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, near Golden, B.C.

Week 3 ran February 23 to 28, following Week 2 February 2 to 7, and Week 1, which ran January 19 to 24. The clinic was hugely popular among CSP members and their friends and family, leading to a sell out of all three weeks and a record 308 people in lessons over the three weeks. Aggregate attendees at the banquets approached 360. Week 3 was the second-largest clinic we’ve ever held, with 19 instruction groups.

Week 3 Group. Photo provided by Terry Mitchell

Offered at cost by the CSP Mountain Division since 1977, the clinic includes four days of group lessons in either skiing or snowboarding, five days of lift access and a celebratory banquet, all at the world-class venue of Kicking Horse. For the 2025 offering we had attendees from every Canadian province, the Yukon, from the U.S. and even overseas.

Group in a lesson. Photo provided by Paul Saulnier.

It is an absolutely great way to meet patrollers from across the country and to make some new friends that are as passionate about skiing and snowboarding as you are. The event is intended to be a comfortable and fun way to improve your skiing or snowboarding skills in a convivial, fun atmosphere.

Week 3 participants. Photo provided by Terry Mitchell.

The clinic offers lessons at all levels of competency, from never-ever to superstar, for both skiing and snowboarding, so there is a spot for anyone. Kicking Horse boast incredible terrain, from chutes to cruisers to gliders, making it a perfect mountain for instruction aimed at testing your limits a bit. The clinic week wraps up with a big banquet at which the instruction groups “roast” their instructors.

Planning is already underway for a 2026 offering. Details are expected to be available in early June on the CSP Mountain Division website.

Mountain Division Ski Improvement Clinic tracks its biggest and best year ever

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