Brimacombe, Ontario — The year-round outdoor operations at Brimacombe have lost their guiding light with the sudden passing of Brian Couvier, the beloved Outdoor Operations Assistant Manager, on Monday, January 19, 2026. For nearly a decade, Couvier wasn’t just a manager; he was the emotional and operational core of the team, a loss that has left staff and the wider community heartbroken.
Brian’s tenure at Brimacombe, a popular destination for skiing and outdoor recreation, spanned almost ten years. In that time, he became legendary not just for his work ethic but for the unique culture he cultivated. Colleagues universally describe him as the team’s “heartbeat”—a constant source of infectious optimism who could transform a stressful, busy shift or a day of challenging weather with his unwavering positive energy.
“He was the guy who made you want to come to work, even on the toughest days,” shared a longtime lift operator. “Brian had this way of making every single person on the crew feel seen and valued. He’d know if you were having an off day and would check in, not as a boss, but as a friend. He didn’t just manage tasks; he managed morale, and he was a genius at it.”
His leadership style was a rare blend of deep professional competence and genuine human warmth. As Outdoor Operations Assistant Manager, he was responsible for the smooth daily function of lifts, trails, and groundskeeping across all seasons—a complex, high-pressure role he handled with calm precision. But his true legacy, say those who worked alongside him, is the unparalleled sense of unity and family he fostered among a diverse, often seasonal workforce.
“He built a team out of individuals,” said a member of the snowmaking crew. “It didn’t matter if you were a seasoned veteran or a first-year hire, Brian made you feel like an essential part of the Brimacombe family. He taught us that how we worked together was just as important as the work we did. That culture was his masterpiece.”
The suddenness of his passing has created a palpable void on the mountain. Staff are grieving not just a respected supervisor, but a mentor and a friend who was considered family. In his absence, the “Brimacombe spirit” he so passionately embodied feels dimmed.
Management has offered counseling services to staff and is working to support the team as they navigate their grief while maintaining operations. Plans for a staff and community remembrance are underway, with many suggesting a gathering on the hill he cared for so deeply.
As Brimacombe mourns, Brian Couvier is being remembered as the ultimate team player who proved that leadership, at its best, is about lifting people up. His legacy is etched not in policies or procedures, but in the enduring bonds of respect and camaraderie he built—a foundation that will continue to support the community he loved long after his passing.