Since 2008, Snow Valley has been administering the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) to help meet the needs of the Edmonton community.
Snow Valley's CIP is accessible to registered not-for-profit and/or charitable organizations in the Greater Edmonton area.
The mission of this program is to provide accredited agencies and organizations that support youth in need and new Canadians, with an opportunity for year-round, enriching life experiences. As Snow Valley can provide year-round activities through its campground, lodge, and ski/snowboard hill, these will be used according to the needs of each group.
By partnering with other not-for-profit agencies and charitable organizations, Snow Valley is committed to building and supporting a healthy community and moves toward balancing opportunities for all people.
Working with the City of Edmonton through the Winter City Program, Snow Valley is proud to recognize the opportunity we have to offer lessons to accredited agencies and organizations that work with disadvantaged youth and new Canadians to offer the chance to experience Skiing & Snowboarding at Snow Valley. Snow Valley aims to provide more opportunities for enjoying the outdoors in Winter to celebrate the season and embrace the daily living in the cold Edmonton Climate.
Snow Valley has been shaped by many remarkable individuals whose passion, generosity, and community spirit continue to guide us. Though they may have passed, their spirit remains. In recognition of their lasting impact, several ongoing initiatives carry their names forward.
Below are the legacy projects that help keep their stories alive and continue the positive influence they had on our Snow Valley community:
- Manfred Kraft Award | Manfred was a prolific Snow Valley skier, logging an astonishing number of runs each season (4,929 runs in his final season alone). The Manfred Kraft award is awarded annually and recognizes the skier or rider with the most total runs here, celebrating the spirit and dedication Manfred brought to our hill.
- Community Cups - In Memory of Ilene Larson | Ilene Larson was involved in the Snow Valley community for many years. She sat on the Snow Valley board and was a very active member of the Rocky Mountain Senior Ski Club. She could always be found sharing stories and sipping coffee in the lodge. In her honour, one dollar from every coffee sold Tuesday mornings will be donated to the CIP.
- Lisa Czernick Memorial Scholarship | Lisa Czernick was a beloved member of our Guest Services team, known for her warmth and dedication to guests and staff alike. This scholarship honours her legacy by supporting student-employees pursuing studies in recreation, tourism, hospitality, or ski industry operations.
- John Hamilton Memorial Scholarship | John Hamilton was a long-time Snow Valley employee, a skilled tradesman, and a devoted ski instructor who valued learning and hard work. This scholarship supports student-employees pursuing academic, technical, or apprenticeship training in his honour.
- Stuart Winkler Memorial Scholarship | Stuart Winkler was a dedicated volunteer whose passion for teaching and community involvement left a lasting mark on Snow Valley. This scholarship supports employees working toward instructor training and certification, reflecting Stuart’s love of sharing snow sports with others.
Community Organizations
Since 2008, the Community Initiatives Program has:
- Provided 9230 access tickets, plus rentals and lessons, for groups of new Canadians and disadvantaged youth to come to Snow Valley.
- Donated in excess of $1,194,735.00 in access passes to various community organizations to assist in their fund raising
- Helped collect just over 57 metric tons of food for the Edmonton Food Bank. Plus over $110,000 in cash donations through Servus Food Bank Friday & Community Friday ticket sales and other on-hill collections since the of the 2020-21 season.
- Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre
- Assist Community Services
- Bent Arrow Healing Society
- Boyle Street Education Centre
- Boyle Street Inner City Recreation and Wellness Program
- Boys and Girls Club
- Canadian Society of Ukrainians
- Compassion House
- Crystal Kids Youth Centre
- Edmonton Food Bank
- Elmer S. Gish School
- Girl Guides
- iHuman
- Inner City High School
- John A McDougall School
- Kids on Track
- McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association
- Métis Association Youth Group
- Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative
- St. Catherine School
- St. Elizabeth School
- U of A International Students of Japan
- Uncles and Aunts at Large Edmonton
- Youth Rise
- Local Sports Teams and Charities
- Canadian Society of Ukrainians from Former Yugoslavia
- Oromo Youth Group ctv edmtn
- Edmonton Immigrant Services Association
- ASSIST Community Services - ACCESS Youth Program
- Somali Canadian Women & Children Association
- Rotary International Students
