World’s Elite Ski Patrollers Descend on Big White for 25th FIPS Congress

The eyes of the global mountain safety community are on British Columbia this week as Big White Ski Resort plays host to the Fédération Internationale des Patrouilles de Ski (FIPS) 25th World Congress.

The event, which runs from March 27 to April 3, 2026, has transformed the Okanagan’s "champagne powder" playground into a high-stakes training ground. More than 155 delegates from 12 countries—including representatives from North America, Europe, and South America—have gathered to share life-saving tactics and set the next generation of international safety benchmarks.

This milestone marks a significant moment for the industry, as it is the first time the FIPS World Congress has been held in North America since 2014. Coincidentally, that 2014 event was also hosted at Big White, making the resort the only North American venue to host the prestigious gathering twice.

"It is a tremendous honor to welcome the world's top ski patrol delegates back to Big White," said Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice-President of Big White Ski Resort. "To have this happening here speaks to the strength of Big White, our team, and our community."

Specialized Training and Innovation

Hosted by the Canadian Ski Patrol (CSP), a founding member of FIPS, the week-long agenda is packed with high-impact workshops led by seven specialized interest groups. Delegates are engaging in both classroom theory and "on-snow" practical scenarios covering:

• Avalanche & Snow-Immersion Rescue: Testing the latest ventilation techniques for buried victims.

• Emergency Medical Response: Addressing traumatic injuries and complex health challenges in high-altitude environments.

• Rescue Dog Operations: Live demonstrations of K9 search and recovery efficiency.

• Adaptive Snow Sports: Workshops on sit-ski extraction and increasing accessibility for skiers with disabilities.

• Emerging Technology: Peer-to-peer sharing of the latest digital tools for risk management and patrol dispatch.

• Global Collaboration, Local Impact

While the primary focus is professional development, the congress also provides a boost to the local economy and fosters a unique spirit of camaraderie. FIPS President Marie Nordgren noted that the variety of terrain at Big White offers the "ideal setting" for testing real-world scenarios that will eventually benefit skiers and snowboarders worldwide.

As temperatures remain below freezing with steady snowfall throughout the week, the conditions have been described as "ideal" for the hands-on sessions. The congress will conclude on April 3, leaving behind a new set of global standards that will influence mountain safety from the Alps to the Andes.