From Canada’s Best Snow to Alberta’s Fire Lines – Christian MacDonald Staff Spotlight

At Sunshine Village, our mountain is kept safe by a dedicated team of ski patrollers who live and breathe the outdoors. This month, we’re spotlighting Christian MacDonald, a Senior Ski Patroller who spends winters on the slopes and summers leading a Helitack Crew with Alberta Wildfire. His year-round work is all about protecting people, places, and wild landscapes.

From the Angel Chair to a Career on Patrol

Christian’s journey to ski patrol started almost by chance. At 18, fresh from completing his first 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course, he stopped at Sunshine Village for a ski day. While riding the old Angel Chair, he struck up a conversation with a patroller — a chat that changed everything.

“The patroller told me that the 80-hour WFR was the ‘ticket to ride’ for ski patrol at Sunshine and that I should come to the spring hiring clinic,” Christian recalls. “I think I applied later that day.”

By that fall, he was officially part of the team.

Making a Difference on the Mountain

For Christian, ski patrol is about more than skiing powder and running avalanche routes — it’s about people.

“My favourite part of being a patroller is that through our response to injured guests, I have the chance to have a positive impact on what could be the worst day of their lives,” he explains.

As a Senior Patroller, Christian also values the opportunity to mentor others.

“Helping my colleagues and friends be successful in their careers here at Sunshine Village is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.”

A Day in the Life on Patrol

No two days are ever the same, but Christian offers a glimpse into life on patrol:

The day begins at Bourgeau Base Area with boots on and gear ready before heading up the gondola for a morning meeting. The team reviews staffing, weather, avalanche forecasts, and any mitigation work ahead. From there, it’s straight to first chair for morning checks, avalanche control, and terrain openings. The rest of the day can involve projects, training, rescues, and responding to injuries — always with an eye on mountain safety.

At day’s end, patrollers sweep designated routes to ensure no one is left on the slopes before skiing back to Bourgeau. Sometimes, the day wraps up with a quick debrief at Creekside Lodge.

Fighting Fire in the Summer

When the snow melts in the summer, Christian trades in his skis for fire gear. As a Helitack Crew Leader with Alberta Wildfire, he leads teams of 4–8 firefighters and a helicopter to rapidly assess and attack new wildfires. His role includes leading and coordinating crews, aircraft, and resources to ensure safe and effective suppression operations.

Surprisingly, many skills overlap between the two worlds.

“Hazard assessment and mitigation is a big one,” he says. “Incident leadership, reading terrain, and interpreting weather are also key in both jobs.”

Powder Days and Memorable Moments

Among the many unforgettable days on the mountain, Christian lights up when recalling February 29, 2024.

“It was the middle of the biggest storm cycle of the season, and we were trying to open as much terrain as possible. I spent most of the day ski cutting through 60–80 cm of super light powder on Goat’s Eye.”

Once the zone was safe, he enjoyed a few laps in some of the deepest snow of the year — a true perk of patrol life on Canada’s Best Snow.

Living Outdoors Year-Round

Whether it’s the amber larches of fall or the first flurries of winter, the changing seasons keep Christian inspired.

“Working outdoors in the mountains year-round is rewarding in many ways, but the shift from season to season always stands out the most.”

When it comes to favourite terrain, Christian splits his vote: Scapegoat on Goat’s Eye for its long, steep turns, and G2 in Delirium Dive for its wild, less-traveled freeride lines.

Advice for the Next Generation

For anyone considering ski patrol or wildfire work, Christian’s advice is straightforward:

“Take the requisite courses — the 80-hour Advanced First Aid and CAA Ops 1 — while building your experience skiing and moving through the mountains. At the end of the day, it’s challenging and incredibly rewarding work. There are lots of ups and downs, but that’s just skiing. Remember to enjoy it.”

Off the Mountain

After long shifts on the slopes, Christian unwinds at home with hockey.

“I’m a big NHL fan, so I’ll usually watch whatever game is on while making dinner. My partner’s from Calgary and I’m from Edmonton, so the Battle of Alberta games get pretty interesting in our house.”

From powder days in Delirium Dive to firefighting from the skies, Christian MacDonald’s story is one of dedication, leadership, and passion for the outdoors. We’re proud to have him on the Sunshine Village team — keeping our mountain safe and sharing his love of Canada’s Best Snow.