Whistler Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program

DEVELOPMENTAL / COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

The Whistler Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program offers individualized ski or snowboard instruction to meet the needs of clients with cognitive disabilities. Our lessons are taught by instructors trained to use specialized equipment, techniques, and adaptations specific to the participants disability. Over the years, we have had great success in teaching children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy (and various other disabilities) to ski and snowboard. The skills developed within this program have provided lasting benefits and often served as a catalyst to incorporate other physical activities into our participants lives.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) LESSONS

Our ASD Lessons provide an environment which is ideal for increasing social skills, improving communication, and building self-confidence and self-esteem while learning ski, sit-ski, or snowboard skills. Our ASD lesson goals are to provide consistency and support for any behavioral learning strategies which may already be taking place, all leading to further development and independence of the participant. In these lessons the specific skill level is evaluated and recorded for each particpant prior to the program.

A specific plan is developed in cooperation with the parents and staff to meet and enhance the communication level of the participant with ASD. Our staff has been trained in the use of picsyms (if needed) and in creating opportunities to self-initiate requests or needs or to share feelings. They have also been trained to create opportunities to increase the social skills of the child. Our staff, who will be delivering the program to the child with ASD, pre-plans the day given all the prior written information on the child to create a positive day which meets the individual needs of the specific child with ASD. They then review and write a report at the end of the day to assess how the day met the individual goals for the child and then to plan specific strategies and goals for the next day.

If your child (6-18 years old and resides in BC) has been diagnosed with ASD and you have an Autism Funding Agreement, funding may be available through the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Autism Funding: Ages 6-18 Program. Please contact the Autism Funding Unit for pre-approval. Approval is granted on an individual basis.

Please refer to AUTISM FUNDING ELIGIBILITY (For BC Residents) in the “Financial Assistance” section of the price page, for complete details. We cater to all ability levels from ages 3 and up. Lessons typically run from 9am - 3pm. The meeting times may be adjusted to suit your needs.

STAND-UP SKI

Standing skiers employ various methods including one, two, three, or four-track skiing techniques. These techniques often use outriggers for balance and are named for the number of tracks left in the snow. Besides instruction, we can also provide physical and psychological support to those looking to be re-introduced to the sport, following injury.

SIT SKI

Anybody can try this method. This popular sport makes skiing possible for many people including those with limited lower body strength, people who use wheelchairs; including those with paraplegia and quadriplegia, bilateral lower extremity amputations, or developmental disabilities. We have a full fleet of both bi-skis and mono-skis.

*PLEASE NOTE: There is a weight restriction for sit skiers of 200lbs, due to the holding capacity of the ski/binding

SNOWBOARD

Whistler Adaptive offers a wide variety of snowboarding lessons for the beginner through the expert snowboarder. We have certified Snowboarding Instructors on staff to ensure that your experience is safe and fun. We also have a range of adaptive snowboarding equipment to help you learn and develop your snowboarding skills.

VISUALLY OR HEARING IMPAIRED

An Instructor provides instruction and/or guiding with or without audio/visual devices.

We offer a full range of products from any of the above full-service lessons to the Lesson Buddy, which allows for integration into the mainstream Whistler Blackcomb Ski School - explained under Program Details.