Ski Swap raises funds for local ski patrol
By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 15, 2022.
Canadian Ski Patrol’s 50th annual Winter Extreme New and Used Equipment Sale took place this weekend at Exhibition Park’s main pavilion.Offering great deals on new and used outdoor gear with the proceeds supporting local volunteer First Aid and rescue services provided by the Canadian Ski Patrol’s Southern Alberta Zone.
“This has been one of our main fundraisers for 50 years,” said Mike Bly, president of the Southern Alberta Zone Ski Patrol. “We are a volunteer organization. We provide First Aid services at Castle Mountain. Canadian Ski Patrol is a national organization across the country, but we are a volunteer non-profit. We raise funds to help with operations, all this money goes towards our first aid supplies, equipment that we use on the hill, and gear that we need.”
With volunteers helping those on the hills keep safe, funds help operations go smoothly. “It is very important what we are doing,” said Frank Lehniger, VP of operations for Southern Zone. “We promote safer skiing for the community, and also supply First Aid on the hill at Castle Mountain. Each member patrols a minimum of three days a month, and some patrol more. With the money we have raised we have bought new equipment, like our new automatic electronic defibrillator, that we use out on the hill.”
With around 4,500 volunteers across Canada the need for funds is important to help First Aid responders help those in trouble.
“We are in every province and territory, and we are strictly volunteers,” said Bly. “We are there on our own time and own cost. We ski around and help you out if you need it.”
The annual event helps people find a great deal while also giving back to those that help enhance the safety out on the mountain slopes.
“We really appreciate the community support,” said Bly. “It helps us fund our efforts. We love doing what we do, and this is a major piece to making that happen. We are so glad we could do this, and we are glad to have the public out to help us.” 2
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