Instructors General Information

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 November.

This year’s recruitment date is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. 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 mentally and physically challenged people.
  • 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 BC Adaptive Snowsports (BCAS) volunteer member and a member of the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) organization, a dual membership, cost $48.00 per year.
  • Attend 1 day of Dryland training on Sunday November 20th.
  • Shadow 2 lessons between Dec.16th and Jan. 6th
  • Attend Jan. 7&8  CSIA/CASI teaching methodology and 3 days from Jan. 13th to 15th of full CADS Level 1 evaluation.

 

Training

 

  • Candidates are required to submit a questionnaire via Google Form sent by email.
  • The training involves a combination of “on-hill” technical training as well as sessions on how to assess and work with mentally and physically challenged people and adaptive equipment available.
  • 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 Snow School CSIA Level 3 and Level 4 instructors.
  • Assisting people to “accent their abilities”.
  • Working alongside a well-established group, teaching adaptive snowsports.
  • Being part of a “national” team bringing snowsports to physically or cognitively challenged people.

Consider joining our great team

Contact VISAS Alpine Training Coordinator: 

James Cooney

Tel: (250) 334-5755

Current News & Events for Instructors

2023 Annual General Meeting

2023 Annual General Meeting

Our annual general meeting provides both the detailed information about our (now concluded) 2022-2023 season, as well as the guidelines for how we will approach the next season. Whether you are an instructor, a participant, or a caregiver, this meeting will have information relevant to you and your relationship with VISAS.

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Thanks for another great season.

Thanks for another great season.

With another successful season behind us, we are grateful to everyone who contributed. This season we had more than 100 dedicated, enthusiastic instructors and were able to help more participants experience and enjoy both Alpine and Nordic snow sports on Mt. Washington than ever before.

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Volunteer Appreciation Lunch – April 9th

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch – April 9th

To All VISAS Instructors,

Join us on Sunday, April 9th for a Get-Together with your Fellow Volunteer Instructors for a Year-end 2023 Social.

Lunch from 1 pm to 3 pm on the upper level of the Alpine Lodge courtesy of VISAS.

Free ski / snowboarding prior to lunch & Raffle Draw at 2:30 pm

(Spouses/Significant Others Welcomed)

 

RSVP to ceganvisas@gmail.com no later than April 2nd & for how many. 
(Let us know of any dietary issues, please.)

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