After a six-year break, Ski for Kids is carving out its comeback.

The fan-favourite fundraiser returns to the slopes this Friday, Feb. 13, at Mont Ste-Marie ski resort in support of CHEO Foundation and BGC Ottawa.

The epic event was last held in 2020, one month before COVID-19 lockdowns began. While other local fundraisers resumed within two or three years, Ski for Kids — not so much.

“The subject comes up all the time: ‘When are you going to do it again?’” said longtime volunteer co-organizer Rob Tweedy, senior manager of digital advisory at MNP Digital, of steady public interest in its return.

Here’s the catch.

“The whole thing is a lot of work,” Tweedy said candidly.

Still, Tweedy and his fellow volunteers missed the shared experience of running a large-scale fundraiser that’s both memorable and rewarding. “Ski for Kids really is a passion of mine,” said Tweedy, who’s been part of the behind-the-scenes discussions to bring the event back.

“People have such a fun time and, lo and behold, there’s a cheque that goes to charity. The amount almost feels secondary; you just know you’ve done a lot of good.”

In 2020, organizers behind the 30-year-old event were honoured for their volunteer efforts with a philanthropy award from the Ottawa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Ski for Kids was recognized as the longest-running and largest single-day third-party volunteer fundraiser for CHEO, having raised more than $400,000 that year in support of the regional children’s hospital and Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa.

A submitted photo published in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper in 2015 of organizers holding a presentation cheque revealing how much money was raised that year for CHEO and Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. Included are Tom McKenna and Derek Noble, Rob Tweedy, Jeff Clark Jr., John Booth and the late Rick Robertson.

Like many long-running volunteer efforts, Ski for Kids was also facing a leadership transition. It was co-chaired by real estate investor Derek Noble, who helped to elevate the event to new heights, and Tom McKenna. McKenna has participated in Ski for Kids since the early ’90s. He joined the committee in 2001 and previously served as co-chair with the likes of the late Peter Rowan-Legg and the late Jeff Clarke Sr., the latter of whom recruited Noble to join in 2011.

Noble and McKenna were happy to stay involved but felt it was time to pass the torch.

That’s where Nik Lemieux came in. A longtime committee member and founder of professional services firm Mirabel Management, Lemieux represents the next generation of community leaders through her work with organizations such as CHEO and Bruyère Health. She is also CFO of professional soccer club Atlético Ottawa.

“I like being able to do fundraising in a way that brings people together in such a fun and unique way, something that’s different from just asking for a cheque,” said Lemieux.

Lemieux really got the ball rolling this past fall by sending out a group email that read: “We’re thinking of getting the band back together. Are you interested?”

“Right away, we all said, ‘Yeah, we’re in!’” recalled Tweedy. “The rumblings turned into an email that turned into a commitment.”

From left, Griff Slaughter (Griff Slaughter Experience), Erin Binks, Nik Lemieux (Mirabel Management), Giselle Bergeron-Raganold and Jim McConnery, managing partner of Welch LLP, inside the Mont Ste-Marie ski lodge in February 2020 during the dinner held for sponsors of Ski for Kids. Photo by Bruce Raganold

Ahead of the Friday ski day, Ski for Kids hosts a big dinner and after-party for sponsors, held in and around the Mont Ste-Marie ski lodge.

Patrick Corriveau, director of real estate markets at RBC, was tapped to share the co-chair role with Lemieux. That’s not surprising, given that he’d been urging Noble for nearly two years to revive the event. Corriveau also owns a recreational property at Mont Ste-Marie and knew just how eager families were to see Ski for Kids return.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Corriveau has a personal connection to CHEO. As a boy, he was treated at the children’s hospital for pneumonia. Now a father of three, he sees the cause in a new light. “Kids are so vulnerable, and they have their whole lives ahead of them. You want to set them up for success and, in my mind, there’s nothing more important than their health.”

The event will support CHEO Foundation’s Kids These Days campaign to transform health care for kids. The longtime fundraiser has been “such a force for good,” said Emily Jamieson, vice president of corporate philanthropy and community engagement at CHEO Foundation. “We are proud to stand alongside the Boys and Girls Club (BGC Ottawa) this year in a shared commitment to helping kids thrive.”

BGC Ottawa provides after-school programs for thousands of kids, offering opportunities in sports, recreation, arts, education, leadership and life skills. “It means so much to be included as a beneficiary,” said BGC Ottawa CEO Adam Joiner. “This event has always been about showing up for kids, so being part of it feels really special.”

Joiner credited Noble, a BGC Ottawa board member, for helping to bring the organization on board, together with CHEO. “It’s people coming together in support of kids that keep our clubhouse doors open and let us provide the programs and services that children, youth and families count on every day. That’s something we never take for granted.”

Ski for Kids, now entering its 31st year, returns to Mont Ste-Marie on Friday, February 13, 2026, to raise funds for CHEO Foundation and BGC Ottawa.

Once the decision to revive Ski for Kids was made, things started moving quickly. The committee held its first official meeting on Dec. 22, leaving just seven weeks to pull it all together.

“It’s a very heavy lift for about a month,” Lemieux explained. “It’s not like other committees where you build all year. This is very much: January 1 arrives — let’s go.”

McKenna and Noble remain on the committee, joined by Tweedy and fellow longtime committee member Jeff Parkes (Taggart Realty Management), Jonathan Bodden (University of Ottawa), former Olympic alpine coach Ryan Malmberg (Invest Ottawa) and J.J. Hochrein (Xactly Design & Advertising).

The sponsor committee consists of Peter Paciorek (Alliance Engineering & Construction), Ross Gilchrist (BMO Financial Group), Brandon Yuke (Proveras Commercial Realty) and Alexandra Gaty (National Bank).

The goal is to re-engage sponsors and rebuild the event. “We’re launching a slightly scaled-back version this year,” said Tweedy. “Logistically, it might not be perfect but it’ll be close.”

Festivities begin Thursday night with a dinner for corporate sponsors at the lodge, followed by a DJ-led après-ski party. Lemieux is overseeing those events with help from Jennifer Riddell (Mirabel Management) and Joanne Kudakiewicz (Desjardins FSIN).

Friday’s ski day will feature racing for more than 200 participants, plus food, drinks, activities, and raffle and auction prizes. Organizers hope to raise $300,000.

“The positive feedback we’ve received so far has been overwhelming,” said Corriveau. “Honestly, I find it pretty energizing.”

And with so many visitors to Mont Ste-Marie expected, he’s already bracing for a full house.

“I’m pretty sure every couch is about to get claimed.”

See the Ski for Kids website for more information about the event.

An aerial view of the Mont Ste-Marie ski lodge, illuminated with sponsor names projected onto the snow.

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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