Volunteering with VISAS – We are a “hands-on” team

Our members volunteer thousands of hours each year to bring their love for skiing and snowboarding to people who dream of sliding along in the fresh crisp air and the brilliant landscape of the mountains that surround them.

Each year we have a recruitment meeting in October.

This year’s recruitment date is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023. Meet with us at the Florence Filberg Centre – at 7:00 pm for a couple of hours of information and inspiration.

Volunteer Instructor Requirements

• Have a desire to assist people of all abilities to slide on snow.
• Strong physical condition, good intermediate skiing or snowboarding ability, minimum age: 19
• Be able to commit to a specific duty day each week during the season.
• In addition, be able to commit some hours to fundraising events such as raffle ticket sales and Fundraising Events.
• Become a member of Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS), cost $48.00 per year.
• Attend 1 day of Dryland training on Saturday, November 18th.
• Shadow 1 or more lessons between Dec. 18th and Jan. 4th
• Ski Instructor Training is on-snow Dec 16/17, the evening of Jan 4 and on-snow Jan 5/6/7.
• Snowboard Instructor Training is on-snow Jan 6/7, the evening of Jan 4 and on-snow Jan 12/13/14.

Training

• Candidates are required to submit a questionnaire via Google Form sent by email.
• The training involves a combination of on-snow technical training, the use of  a variety of adaptive equipment. As well as sessions on how to assess and work with people with diverse physical and cognitive abilities.
• All training techniques emphasize the “progression methods” established by the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA).
• There is a $100.00 cost (approx.) for training materials and fees.

Instructor Benefits and Recognition

• Season’s pass provided by Mount Washington Alpine Resort (MWAR) and VISAS (first year). Family pass for qualifying family members in subsequent years if VISAS membership is in good standing.
• Recognition by Mount Washington as “Volunteer Staff”.
• Opportunity for skill development with high level ski and snowboard instructors from the MWAR Snow School.
• Assisting people to “accent their abilities”.
• Working alongside a well-established group, teaching adaptive snowsports.
• Being part of a “national” team that provides adaptive snowsports lessons to people of all abilities.

Current News & Events for Instructors