Nelson and Rossland host NASJA Western Winter Summit

                                                          Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism and Tourism Rossland will welcome 24 members from the Western Chapter of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) to the Kootenay Rockies this weekend. 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 the 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.The group will begin their Kootenay experience in Rossland on Friday, January 27, and will journey between Red Mountain Resort, Rossland, Whitewater Ski Resort and Nelson until Tuesday, January 31.The Rossland Winter Carnival and the Smith Optics Whitewater Jr Freeski Competition are just a few of the events that these visitors will be able to soak in during their stay and will help leave a lasting impression of the area. 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. There will be opportunities for visiting NASJA members to discover each community and their food, music, history and culture.“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.The 24 ski journalists from the Pacific Northwest visiting the area include photographers and writers who have contributed to publications such as Powder Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Ski Magazine, New York Times, and National Geographic.This event is a great example of how the communities can partner together and leverage funding in order to increase overall exposure and drive economic development in tourism. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:Anne Pigeon, GM Indoor Operations and Marketing, Whitewater Ski Resort    250-509-1402    Hakkola, Marketing and Communications Manager, Red Mountain Resort    250-231-1112    Edwards, Executive Director, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism    250-352-7879    Steven, Executive Director, Tourism Rossland    250-231-1247