In 2025, Dale Hickox was presented with the CCSO President’s Award.
The CCSO President’s Award is one of the highest honours presented by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO). It recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to organized snowmobiling in Canada through outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the sport.
Selected by the CCSO Executive Committee, this prestigious award celebrates individuals whose efforts have made a lasting impact on the Canadian snowmobile community, strengthened the industry, and helped shape the future of snowmobiling.
The significance of this award is reflected in its distinguished recipients. The previous recipient was Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009. In 2025, after 16 years, the award was presented to Dale Hickox, recognizing his contributions and dedication to Canadian snowmobiling.
The CCSO President’s Award honours those who go above and beyond, making a difference not just within their own communities, but throughout the Canadian snowmobile community.
A legacy of leadership in Prince Edward Island
Dale became actively involved with the Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Association (PEISA) in the late 1990s, initially taking responsibility for operating and coordinating one of the Association’s provincial groomers. In 2001, he joined the PEISA Board of Directors and was elected President in 2007.
He went on to serve an unprecedented 14 consecutive years as President, during which time he helped transform the organization and significantly expand snowmobiling across Prince Edward Island. Some of his most notable accomplishments include:
- Growing PEISA membership from 837 members in 2007 to more than 3,700 by 2021.
- Expanding the provincial snowmobile trail system from approximately 350 miles to more than 700 miles.
- Modernizing the provincial grooming fleet, replacing five aging groomers with eight new machines.
- Establishing strategic partnerships with local businesses, accommodations, restaurants, fuel stations, and snowmobile dealerships to strengthen snowmobile tourism.
- Creating elected Youth Member positions on the PEISA Board in 2010, encouraging the next generation of snowmobile leaders.
- Successfully lobbying the provincial government to return 80% of annual snowmobile registration fees to the Association, helping establish PEISA’s first full-time Executive Director position in 2016.
National and international contributions
Dale’s dedication to snowmobiling extends well beyond Prince Edward Island. He attended his first Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) meeting and International Snowmobile Congress in Boise, Idaho, in 2008.
In 2009, he helped co-host the 41st International Snowmobile Congress in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. The event welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whom Dale had the honour of welcoming and escorting during the presentation of the inaugural CCSO President’s Award.
His leadership continued at the national level when he was elected CCSO President in 2014, serving two consecutive two-year terms while also chairing the International Snowmobile Congress.
Throughout his involvement with the CCSO, Dale has continued to promote cooperation between provincial and territorial snowmobile organizations, advocate for snowmobilers, and strengthen relationships with government and industry representatives.
His contributions have also been recognized through several other honours, including:
- CCSO Excellence Award – Volunteer Snowmobiler of the Year in 2012.
- Induction into the Iron Dog Brigade in 2015.
- Leadership as CCSO President and subsequent service as Past President.
- Election as CCSO Vice-President in 2025 and re-election in 2026.
Bringing the International Snowmobile Congress to Prince Edward Island
One of Dale’s signature accomplishments was leading PEISA’s successful bid to host the 57th International Snowmobile Congress in Charlottetown in 2025.
As Co-Chair of the Congress, he played an instrumental role in organizing and delivering the event, welcoming delegates from across North America and showcasing Prince Edward Island’s trails, hospitality, and snowmobile tourism opportunities.
His efforts helped bring international attention to Prince Edward Island and demonstrated the important role Canadian snowmobile organizations play within the global snowmobiling community.
Continued commitment to snowmobiling
Although Dale retired as PEISA President in 2021, his commitment to the organization never stopped. He subsequently served as Safety Trail Manager, Executive Director from 2022 until April 2026, and continues to contribute as Trail Manager and Government Relations representative.
He remains actively involved with local snowmobile clubs and continues to represent Canadian snowmobilers through his work with the CCSO, including advocacy and government relations efforts in Ottawa.
