This weekend, 24 snowsports journalists from the U.S. will tour Rossland and Nelson to get a idea of the ski terrain this area has to offer.
The group will begin their Kootenay experience in Rossland on Friday, Jan. 27. They will journey between Red Mountain Resort and Nelson’s Whitewater Ski Resort until Tuesday, Jan. 31.
The ski journalists, from the Pacific Northwest, include photographers and writers who have contributed to publications such as Powder Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Ski Magazine, New York Times and National Geographic.
Tourism Rossland, along with Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, will welcome the 24 members from the Western Chapter of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA).
The Rossland Winter Carnival and the Smith Optics Whitewater Junior Freeski Competition are a few of the events that they will be able to take in during their stay.
Deanne Steven, executive director of Tourism Rossland, said that in addition to spending time in the ski areas, they will be spending time in the communities of Rossland and Nelson.
“They’re coming here in a journalistic capacity to experience and see the area for themselves,” said Steven, adding that the impact from the stories and photos generated during this event will have a tremendous economic impact.
“They will go back and write some very positive stories about skiing in the area and talk about the communities which will in turn generate more visitors to our area.
“It creates jobs, generates revenue, sustains all the things that we value in the community.”
In partnership with Tourism British Columbia and Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Whitewater Ski Resort and Red Mountain Resort they will guide the group of 24 journalists into some of the best ski terrain that the area has to offer as well as explore the unique culture and history in both communities.
“We’re doing this to introduce them to the area and give them a taste of the skiing that we have to offer and also to experience our communities,” said Graham Edwards, executive director of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism.