XXV FIPS WORLD CONGRESS
MARCH 2026
BIG WHITE SKI RESORT
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
By Brian Low, FIPS Secretary (brian.low@fips-skipatrol.org)
The Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS) is proud to announce that it will hold the XXV World Congress in Canada in 2026. The event will be held at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, B.C. from March 27 to April 3, 2026. The Canadian Ski Patrol is the host FIPS member for this event.
“We are excited to return to Big White Ski Resort as it has the terrain and facilities to support the professional development of ski patrollers and organizations worldwide,” notes Stephane Niles, board chair of the CSP. “The CSP is a founding member of FIPS, with the inaugural meeting held in Canada in 1979. The first, and long-time president of FIPS was Mark Labow, a life member of the CSP. The world congress has been held in Canada twice since 1979; in Calgary in 1993 and at Big White in 2014.”
The Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski is an international organization representing ski patrol and associated ski safety organizations with membership from 17 countries and associate members. These patrol and safety organizations comprise full time and volunteer ski patrollers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, technicians, ski equipment instructors, ski area managers, etc., who are involved in the multidisciplinary activities of ski patrolling and safety.
Marie Nordgren, president of FIPS said, “Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS) is extremely pleased to hold its XXV World Congress in North America and Canada for the first time since 2014. The Canadian Ski Patrol is the host FIPS member and has selected Big White Ski Resort as the venue for March 2026, and will welcome member organizations from 17 countries. This is the second time the World Congress will be held at Big White, where the facilities and terrain provide the ideal setting for professional development of patrolling skills and knowledge.”
The FIPS World Congress program is developed by the special interest groups (SIG) that are part of FIPS. Topics relevant to ski patrolling include medical treatment and protocols, on snow transport, technology, avalanche safety including use of rescue dogs, support for persons with disabilities, and risk management. At the congress, the professional development program is provided through the week indoors in lecture sessions, and outside on the slopes with on-site learning and scenarios.
The CSP will work with FIPS to confirm the program and the registration process with plans to open registration in the fall of 2025. Further announcements will be made as plans develop.
