Whistler Adaptive programming for people with sensory disabilities is for children age 3 - 18. Our staff and volunteers are trained in guiding principles to ensure athletes have a safe and fun sport experience. If you are interested in bursary funding please visit our funding page. If you are new to Whistler Adaptive please register for programs here. If you are a returning athlete and would like more information please contact info@whistleradaptive.com.
For visually impaired athletes, Whistler Adaptive can guide you along the Valley Trail, through the Lost Lake Trails or other Whistler mountain bike trails. With high-visibility vests and equipment, we can hit the trails.
What: Biking lessons for people with sensory disabilities.
When: By private booking
Who: All ages
Where: Various locations - Cross Country Connection, Athletes Center Cheakamus, Spruce Grove, Meadow Park
How to register: Contact us here
Our canoeing program builds skills through games and activities on the water while offering beautiful views on Alta Lake. Our instructors will guide progression on dryland and on the water focusing on safety, skills, and fun! Children will be in a canoe with an instructor who can help them work on their canoeing skills individually and ensure safety at all times. Private canoe lessons are also available for individuals or families. Participants will be provided with all the equipment they need, however please bring a hat, sunscreen, raincoat, waterproof shoes, and a water bottle.
What: Canoeing on Alta Lake
When: Thursdays 10 am-12 pm from June 25-September 10 2020 | Or by private booking
Who: All Ages
Where: Wayside Park on Alta Lake
How to register: Contact us here
Hiking is a great way for athletes with sensory impairments to experience what Whistler has to offer. Whistler Adaptive staff and volunteers can lead athletes through short alpine jaunts, peak-to-peak experiences, or full-day technical trail hikes.
What: Hiking in Whistler
When: June 2- Sept 8 (Tuesdays at 10 am) & Private booking available
Where: Various locations
Age range: All ages starting at 3
How to register: Contact us here
Enjoy land activities and sports, such as hiking, scavenger hunts, and ball games, for half of the session (1:30-3:30). From 3:30-5:00 the group paddles and plays games on the lake using boats provided by the Pemberton Canoe Association. Participants are welcome to join for just one half of the session of the whole thing. Participants of all ages are encouraged to attend.
What: Land and water sports at One Mile Lake in Pemberton
Who: All ages
Where: One Mile Lake in Pemberton
When: Thursday 1:30 pm-5:00 pm from July 2-September 3
Whistler Adaptive offers rowing instruction and coaching using our adaptive rowing shells. These shells can be adapted with stability pontoons, a specialized seat and strapping to suit the needs of any individual. We offer 2 hour private rowing lessons. Rowing offers independence, a great workout, and the thrill of gliding across Alta Lake.
What: Introduction to Rowing
When: By private booking
Who: 12+
Where: The Cabin at Alta Lake Park
How to register: Contact us here
Whistler Adaptive offers 2 hour private sailing lessons out of the Whistler Sailing Association’s facility on Alta Lake.
The Martin 16 is a breakthrough in small boat design. The weighted keel makes it a very safe boat for people with physical disabilities. The high lift keel makes the boat very stable, trailer launching is simple and the boat can be easily rigged by one person.
The inherent stability of the boat, along with the adjustable seating and specialized control systems make the Martin 16 truly accessible to all sailors with a physical disability. It is a lively performance boat making it ideal for sailors of all abilities.
The Martin 16 is easily managed by one person with any level of physical ability with a narrow, easily-driven hull that provides impressive performance and excellent responsiveness. Stability and adjustable seating with specialized control systems and the simplicity of use makes the Martin 16 an ideal program boat that can accommodate up to three individuals at one time.
What: Introduction to Sailing
When: By private booking
Who: Ages 6+
Where: The Point at Alta Lake
How to register: Contact us here
Our certified instructors work with beginner to advanced athletes with sensory impairments to ensure that their snowsport experience is fun, friendly, and as safe as possible. Using adaptive equipment such as high vis vests and walkie talkies instructors are able to guide and teach athletes how to safely move around Whistler Blackcomb resort. Lessons run every day from 9am to 3pm from the beginning of December to end of April. Please bring a warm jacket, snow pants, warm socks, goggles, toque, gloves. Snow sport equipment is included complimentary with our Adaptive lessons, thanks to the Epic Foundation and The Whistler Adaptive Society
What: Adaptive Snowsports lessons
When: Nov 24 2022 to April 16 2023 9:15 am to 3 pm
Where: Whistler Adaptive Desk at Carleton Lodge
Age range: 3 - 80
How to register:
How to register: Email at WBAdaptiveProgram@vailresorts.com and by phone at 1-800-766-0449. Please ask for the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard agent on duty at Whistler Blackcomb
Contact us for assistance by email at WBAdaptiveProgram@vailresorts.com and by phone at 1-800-766-0449. Please ask for the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard agent on duty at Whistler Blackcomb.
If you need to contact Whistler Adaptive on the day of your lesson please contact the Whistler Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program office at 604-905-2071.
**Competitive pathways exist through BC Adaptive Snowsports.
Working with Don Butler, of Captain Holiday’s Kayak and Adventure School, our weekly kayaking program immerses participants in a paddling environment where they will learn kayaking skills through fun games and activities. The full day program allows participants to work on their skills, and build confidence and independence at their own pace. Private kayaking lessons for individuals or families are also available which offer the full kayak experience in a one-on-one setting. Participants will be provided all the equipment they need and we offer a variety of kayaks to suit the needs of each individual including white water kayaks, double kayaks, and adaptive kayaks. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, lunch, and a change of clothes.
What: Weekly group kayaking on Alta Lake
When: Mondays 9am-3pm from June 15-September 7 2020 | Or by private booking
Where: The Cabin at Alta Lake Park (URL to document)
Age range: 6+
How to register: Contact us here
We offer paddleboard lessons for individuals or families on Alta Lake. Paddleboarding is a wonderful way to enjoy the lake. We also have an adaptive paddleboard that is extra stable and can accommodate a wheelchair as well as a family sized paddleboard.
What: Paddleboarding on Alta Lake
When: By private booking
Who: All ages
Where: Wayside Park on Alta Lake
How to register: Contact us here
Join us for a Nordic skiing session with a certified NCCP coach whether you are looking for an introduction, further sport development or additional support. Nordic skiing is held at the Lost Lake trail network as well as at Whistler Olympic Park. Necessary equipment is provided such as VI headsets and VI bibs.
What: Nordic skiing in Whistler in both group and private format.
When: January 9th to March 19th; Thursdays 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | or by private booking
Where: Cross Country Connection at the Passivhaus, Lost Lake trail network and Whistler Olympic Park
Age Range: All Ages starting at 3
How to Register: Contact us here
**Looking to compete in Adaptive Nordic? Competitive pathways exist through https://www.crosscountrybc.ca/
Snowshoeing
Programs run weekly during our winter season. Explore Whistler Olympic Park via the low impact activity of snowshoeing. Walks can vary in length and intensity.
What: Snowshoeing in Whistler in both group and private format.
When: January 9th to March 19th; Thursdays 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | or by private booking
Where: Cross Country Connection at the Passivhaus, Lost Lake trail network.
Age Range: All Ages starting at 3
How to Register: Contact us here
Whistler Adaptive’s swimming programs are available to athletes with sensory impairments. If you are learning to swim our Canadian Red Cross Swimming instructors can guide you through the basics and make sure you feel comfortable in an aquatic setting. If you are interested in competing in swimming our NCCP certified swim coaches lead practices on a weekly basis that will allow you to train for a competitive swim meet.
What: The adaptive swimming program is for children and adults who want to improve their swimming abilities and gain independence in an aquatic setting
When: Available from Sept to June for Private bookings.
Where: Meadow Park Recreation Centre (Meet on the pool deck)
Age range: All ages starting at 3
How to register: Contact us here
Whistler Adaptive offers strength and conditioning training in the gym during the winter and off-snow seasons. These sessions can be tailored to individual needs and often focus on balance, stability, strength, and physical literacy. Typically these are group sessions, however we can also offer one-on-one training.
What: Strength and conditioning sessions tailored to individual needs.
Who: ages 12-18
When: Oct 10 - Dec 12 (Thursdays 1 pm -2 pm)
Where: Meadow Park Sports Centre / Whistler Mountain Ski Club
How to register: Contact us here
Kids Camp builds physical literacy through games and activities in a land and water environment for school aged kids and youth. Fun is the name of the game for participants while building physical literacy in land and water sport environments. A typical Friday consists of canoeing, walks around the lake, physical literacy games, snack breaks, lunch, and sometimes crafts. Campers are split into two groups based on ages 5-10 and 11-19.
What: Kids camp is designed for school aged children. Learn physical literacy through games and activities in a land and water environment.
When: June 3 - Sept 4 (Fridays 9 am- 3 pm)
Where: The Cabin at Alta Lake and Various Field trips around Whistler
Age range: 5 - 19
How to Register: Contact us here
Our Buddy Programs pair school age children with diverse needs with trained staff and volunteers so that they can access programming in their municipality. Activities including but not limited to swimming, gymnastics, skating, volleyball, etc.
Squamish
Whistler Adaptive and the Brennan Park Recreation Centre have partnered on the Leisure Buddy Program to pair children (ages 3 to 12) with trained staff and volunteers. The program provides access and inclusion for Squamish and area residents into existing recreational programs through the support of sport assistants (buddies).
What: Integrated and supported programming for children with diverse needs at Brennan Park.
When: Year Round
Where: Brennan Park Recreation Centre
Age range: 3 - 19
How to register: Register through the Brennan Park website for programs and then fill out our buddy request form.
Whistler
The Whistler Leisure Buddy Program partners with various sports organizations in the community to pair athletes with diverse needs with trained staff and volunteers. Buddies can be provided for: DFX, WORCA, CanSkate, Ski school, Gymnastics, Sailing Association, and many more.
What: Integrated and supported programming for children with diverse needs in various Whistler sports clubs and programs.
When: Year Round
Where: Various locations around Whistler
Age range: 3 - 19
How to register: Register through the partner organization’s website and then fill out our buddy request form.
Pemberton
Whistler Adaptive and the Pemberton & District Community Centre have partnered on the Pemberton & District Leisure Buddy Program to pair children (ages 3 and up), youth and adults with diverse needs with trained staff and volunteers. The program provides access and inclusion for Pemberton and area residents into existing recreational programs through the support of sport assistants (buddies).
What: Integrated and supported programming for children with diverse needs in various Pemberton and District programs.
When: Year round
Where: Pemberton & District Community Centre
Age range: 3 - adult
How to register: Register through the Pemberton & District Community Centre website for their programming then fill out our buddy form.