Christmas in the Canadian Rockies is a magical time of year and for Skålleagues, the President’s Christmas Gala is a highlight of the season.

Skål International members, partners, and guests from the region (spanning five communities and over 15,000 sq. kms) have gathered for 36 years to enjoy a formal, multi-course dinner.

Enter 2020… COVID numbers in the region had remained relatively low over the summer and into the Fall but as mid-November approached, restrictions on the size of gatherings started to amp up. Our traditional Gala needed some out of the box thinking or it would need to cancel altogether. A Zoom call with the Executive ensued and consensus was, “If we can’t bring everyone together for Christmas, we need to bring Christmas dinner to everyone”.

The invitations were sent out and a resounding 124 members and partners replied that they were “in”. More than any other Christmas Gala, ever!

The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore, and Fiddle River Restaurant in Jasper, synchronized a five-course prepared ‘Sous Vide’ dinner, with the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel supplying the dessert. Delivery or pick-up (even one by horseback in the Malcolm lobby) and ‘tips’ were suggested with proceeds going to the local food banks. Nearly $2,000 was raised!