Growing up north of Edmonton, my skiing career started humbly. I learned the ropes on a small hill called Tawatinaw Valley. It was great for learning, but we all knew where the real mountain experience was.

The 3 AM Bus from to Marmot Basin

For a kid from Westlock, Alberta, Marmot wasn’t just a ski resort; it was the big leagues.
I vividly remember the routine. We would wake up at 3:00 AM—pitch black and freezing cold—to catch the bus from Westlock. We’d drive into the mountains, ski our hearts out all day, and just hope that everyone made it back to the bus on time (which, thankfully, they always did).

Marmot was the first real mountain I ever skied. I remember the specific mix of emotions: pure excitement blended with a healthy dose of fear. I wasn’t a great skier back then. I have memories of following my classmates through the trees, terrified but thrilled. I remember my cousin leading me over a jump, and the distinct memory of hitting my first set of moguls.

I promptly proved I did not know how to ski them. I exploded into a massive “yard sale” of ski equipment. But even as I was collecting my skis and poles from the snow, I felt it: the magic and freedom that only a ski resort can provide.

30+ Years on…returning to Marmot Basin with skiKrumb

Recently, I found myself back in Jasper for the CWSAA conference. I wasn’t there as a teenager on a school bus this time; I was driving up to Marmot Basin to do a demo of our skikrumb equipment and GPS trackers..
As I drove up that familiar access road, I was suddenly transported back three decades. The winding road, the snow-covered trees, the looming peaks—it all hit me at once. I felt that same teenage excitement rising up.

Marmot Basin is officially our first partner resort in Alberta.

Marmot Basin is deeply significant for me, not just because of the nostalgia, but because of what it represents for our company. 

After launching in other regions, bringing skiKrumb to the Alberta Rockies, my home turf, is a massive milestone. It feels like a homecoming.

We built skiKrumb to give peace of mind, to ensure that when groups head up the mountain (whether it’s a school bus from Westlock or a family vacation), everyone stays connected. Our goal is to preserve the feeling of freedom and adventure—like I felt in the trees with my cousin—while providing the security and connection of knowing where everyone is.

It is an honour to see our technology live at the very resort that sparked my passion for this industry. To see skiKrumb available at Marmot Basin, the place where I fell in love with mountain culture, is a “full circle” moment I won’t forget.

Here’s to new memories, fewer “yard sales” in the moguls, and a fantastic season in Alberta.

skiKrumb is now available to rent or purchase for $197 at Marmot Basin.