Switch to Accessible Theme   You are viewing the site with the Enhanced theme enabled.
(604) 905-4493 | Email Us  Ski & Snowboard Lessons
 
 

Program Volunteer Positions

Program Volunteers

Whistler Adaptive follows The Responsible Coaching Movement. All volunteers must complete a screening and criminal record check, High Five, Commit to Kids, and Respect and Ethics in Sport training. Shifts range from one hour to eight hours depending on the activity. We offer seven days per week of programming for the local Sport Academy athletes, as well as daily ski, sit-ski, and snowboard lessons in the winter, partner group bookings, multi-day adaptive sport camps, and adaptive equipment rentals. To register please fill out our Volunteer Application Form.

Whistler Adaptive supports volunteers in joining the Coaches Association of Canada and professional development and coach education through the National Coaches Certification Pathway. We also provide support and training opportunities through viaSport, Canada Sport for Life, BCRPA and other certification bodies.  We encourage training and certification that enhances the diversity and inclusion of our programming including subject matter relating and not limited to Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, and LGBTQI2S.

Volunteers can help with the following programs:

Alpine Race

Term: December to April

Hours: 2 days (14  hours) per week

Meeting Locations: Carleton Lodge Patio

Description: The Alpine Ski Racing program is designed for young adults and adult athletes who want to improve their skiing abilities and optionally participate in race programs. Skiers ages range from early twenties to mid-forties and have some cognitive disabilities that can also result in some decreased motor function. The goal of the program is to improve basic skills in all terrain, to teach teamwork, and to gain confidence. Some athletes compete in the Special Olympics, Para-Alpine events as well as regularly scheduled local races. Race courses are used as a tool to improve technique, timing, balance, and confidence. A typical day consists of 6-8 runs on intermediate to advanced groomed runs (blues and an occasional easy black), with a 1 hour lunch break.

Responsibilities:

  • Skiing as a tail guide to make sure no one falls behind
  • Ensuring participants safely cross traffic or intersections
  • Helping participants with equipment problems or if they need a break
  • Riding the chair with athletes to ensure safety on the lifts
  • Help participants get lunch in the lodge
  • Support the head coach in any other tasks they may request

Requirements of the Role

  • Have your own ski equipment
  • Fitness and ability to ski green, blue and easy black runs for 5 hours
  • Adequate knowledge of the mountains
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training:

  • Required: CADS
  • CASI, CSCF, CSIA and Canada Snowboard certifications are an asset but not required

Conditionals Based on Population:

  • PTSD, understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children,  youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses.

U19 Freeride

Term: December to April

Hours: 1 day (7 hours) per week

Meeting Locations: Carleton Lodge Patio

Description: The U19 Freeride program is designed for youth who want to improve their skiing abilities and optionally participant in race programs. The goal of the program is to improve basic skills in all terrain, to teach teamwork, and to gain confidence. The program runs on Saturdays during the winter from 8:30am-3:00pm. A typical day consists of 6-8 runs on intermediate to advanced groomed runs, with a 1 hour lunch break.

Responsibilities:

  • Skiing as a tail guide to make sure no one falls behind
  • Ensuring participants safely cross traffic or intersections
  • Helping participants with equipment problems or if they need a break
  • Riding the chair with athletes to ensure safety on the lifts
  • Help participants get lunch in the lodge
  • Support the head coach in any other tasks they may request

Requirements of the Role

  • Have your own ski equipment
  • Fitness and ability to ski green, blue and easy black runs for 5 hours
  • Adequate knowledge of the mountains
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training:

  • Required: CADS
  • CASI, CSCF, CSIA and Canada Snowboard certifications are an asset but not required

Conditionals Based on Population:

  • PTSD, understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children,  youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses.

Nordic & Snowshoe

Term: January to early April

Hours: 2-6 per week

Meeting Locations: Cross Country Connection or Whistler Olympic Park

Description: The weekly Nordic/Snowshoe program runs on Thursdays from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm out of Cross Country Connection at Lost Lake. This program is open to beginner and intermediate snowshoers and nordic skiers of all ages. The program is designed to introduce cross country skiing or snowshoeing to new participants and improve the skills of those already skiing or snowshoeing. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to be a buddy for a student taking cross country skiing lessons out of Cross Country Connection or Whistler Olympic Park. Every winter Whistler Adaptive hosts a Soldier On camp which includes cross country skiing out of Whistler Olympic Park, for which we need many Nordic/Snowshoe volunteers. Even if you do not have much cross country skiing or snowshoeing experience we would be happy to have you do the training so you can volunteer!

Responsibilities:

  • Weekly program: taking participants out on the Lost Lake trails, teaching basic Nordic skills and providing instruction, playing games to improve skills
  • Buddy Lessons: attending lessons with a participant to provide any extra assistance that is needed
  • Camps and Private Bookings: Assist leader in organizing groups, assisting participants, and having fun!

Physical Requirements of the Role

  • Reasonable fitness to cross country ski or snowshoe for 1.5 hours
  • Adequate knowledge of the trails
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training:

  • Required: Nordic volunteer training at Lost Lake (covers cognitive, para and VI)
  • Canadian Association of Ski Nordic Instructors (CANSI) and Nordiq Canada (ICC & CC AWAD) certification is an asset but not required

Conditional Requirements Based on Population:

  • Para population requires stronger skiing level and ability to lift 60+ pounds
  • PTSD, understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children,  youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses.

Adult Watersports (Comprised of Canoe, Kayak, SUP, Rowing, Sailing)

Term: June to September

Hours: 2-8 hours per week (1-2 days)

Meeting Locations: Wayside Park or Alta Lake Station House at Alta Lake Park

Description: Whistler Adaptive offers a variety of water sports on beautiful Alta Lake including canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rowing and sailing. Our weekly kayaking program runs on Mondays from 9 am-3 pm, and the weekly canoeing program runs Thursdays from 10 am-12 pm. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to help with private paddling and sailing sessions.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist watersports staff with organizing of equipment
  • Ensure a safe and inviting environment for participants
  • Safely instruct and coach athletes with a disability on the Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway from Fundamentals to Learn to Train
  • Assist participants with their equipment and provide instruction to improve paddling skills

Requirements of the Role

  • Paddling experience is an asset but not required
  • Ability to work in a watersports environment for up to 6 hours
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training:

  • Required: Shadow session with a senior staff or volunteer
  • Suggested: Lakewater Leader 1, Kayak Orientation 2 day course, Canoe Kids, RCA Learn to Row Para Coach module, Ability Board training, CANSail Para training

Conditionals Based on Population

  • Para population requires ability to lift 60+ lbs.
  • PTSD population requires understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children,  youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses

Children's Watersport (Comprised of Canoe, Kayak, SUP, Rowing, Sailing)

Term: July to August

Hours: 2-8 hours per week (1-2 days)

Meeting Locations: Wayside Park for Alta Lake Station House at Alta Lake Park or other locations around the Sea to Sky

Description: Whistler Adaptive offers a Kids Camp for school ages children with a diverse set of needs which consists of canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, biking, physical literacy games and exercises. Our weekly kids camps run on Mondays from 9 am-3 pm, and Fridays from 9 am-3 pm. 

Responsibilities:

  • Assist staff with organizing of equipment
  • Ensure a safe and inviting environment for participants
  • Safely instruct and coach athletes with a disability on the Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway from Fundamentals to Learn to Train
  • Assist participants with their equipment and provide instruction to improve skills

Requirements of the Role

  • Paddling experience is an asset but not required
  • Ability to work in a watersports environment for up to 2  hours
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training

  • Required: Shadow session with a senior staff or volunteer
  • Suggested: Lakewater Leader 1 and 2, Canoe Kids, RCA Learn to Row Para Coach module, Ability Board training, CANSail Para training, Physical Literacy 101-501, Canada Sport for Life Intro to Physical Literacy

Conditionals Based on Population

  • Para population requires ability to lift 60+ lbs.
  • PTSD population requires understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children, youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses

Landsports

Term: Year round

Hours: 2-6 per week (1-2 days)

Meeting Locations: Various

Description: A Program Volunteer in landsports will assist our Program Leaders in activities such as hiking, swimming, physical literacy, and yoga. They will help to create a safe and supportive environment that will allow adaptive athletes to be successful in their chosen activity. Programs run from 1 to 4 hours. Volunteers will be informed of location for programming via email the week prior to the program.

Responsibilities:

  • Safely support athletes with a disability and assist the program leaders with coaching the athletes through the Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway from Fundamentals to Learn to Train
  • Knowledge of sport equipment and how it is set up and taken down
  • Monitoring safety of athletes (being the tail of the group in hiking programs)
  • Facilitating socialization between athletes

Requirements of the Role

  • High school education
  • Able to be physically active for at least 2 hours
  • Able to swim in deep water

Training

  • Required: Hiking - trailrider training
  • Suggested: 200 hour yoga certification, Red Cross Water Safety Instructor

Conditionals Based on Population

  • Children, youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses

Mountain Biking

Term: June to September

Hours: 2-6 hours per week (1-2 days)

Meeting Locations: Cross Country Connection or Athletes Center Cheakamus

Description: Whistler Adaptive offers a variety of biking programs, ranging from cruising the valley trail to tackling Whistler’s off-road single track trails. Our biking programs are available to participants of all abilities and all levels from novice to experienced riders. We offer biking to cognitively challenged learners, para-athletes and individuals with sensory disabilities. Our weekly biking program runs on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm, however volunteers will also have the opportunity to help with private lessons including using our three-wheel adaptive mountain bikes.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist biking staff with organizing of equipment
  • Ensure a safe and inviting environment for participants
  • Safely instruct and coach athletes with a disability on the Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway from Fundamentals to Learn to Train
  • Assist participants with their equipment and provide instruction to improve biking skills
  • Act as a tail guide to ensure group stays together and help any participants who fall behind

Requirements of the Role

  • Biking experience
  • Fitness and ability to ride for 2-3 hours
  • Adequate knowledge of the trails
  • Satisfactory criminal record check

Training

  • Required: Beginning of season MTB training, shadow session with a senior staff or volunteer
  • PMBI certification is an asset but not required

Conditionals Based on Population

  • Para population requires considerable fitness and ability to lift 60+ lbs.
  • PTSD population requires understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children, youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses

Leisure Buddy Program

Term: Year Round

Hours: 1 - 6 hours

Meeting Locations: Various locations in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton

Description: 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.

Responsibilities:

  • Meet athlete and family prior to session
  • Facilitate inclusive play and participation in activity led by recreation centre staff
  • Sign up for shifts on volunteer schedule
  • Complete daily progress reports on athletes

Requirements of the Role: 

  • Confident, fun, adaptable, willing to work hard
  • A general interest in the well-being of people with disabilities 
  • An understanding of the importance of reaction for improving people’s quality of life
  • Able to be active for at least 6 hours

Training: 

  • Mandatory training is listed at the top of the page

Conditionals Based on Population: 

  • PTSD, understanding of triggers and trauma sensitivity
  • Children,  youth, and individuals with sensory disabilities require additional teaching skills and training courses.
Back to Top