Snow School

Adaptive Lessons

Accessible Ski, Snowboard & Sit-Ski Lessons

We are excited to offer individualized beginner ski, snowboard and sitski lessons for neurodiverse individuals, and individuals living with a physical and/or visual disability!

Our certified ski and snowboard instructors are trained in adaptive snowsport teaching methods under Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS).

The goal of our Adaptive Snowsport Program is to make snowsports more accessible by reducing barriers to access and creating a safe and comfortable environment in which everyone has the opportunity to discover the joy of sliding down the slopes.

Who are the lessons for?

For neurodiverse individuals, and individuals living with a physical and/or visual disability impairments who have never skied, snowboarded or sit skied before, or are still learning on the Bunny Hill beginner area.

Lesson Type	Includes
Group Sessions	Are you an organization that serves individuals with disabilities? Bring a group to Mt Sima for lessons!
One Session	1hr or 2hr private lesson (includes 1/2 day rentals/lift ticket)
Weekly Sessions	Five 2hr private lessons over 5 consecutive weeks (includes 1/2 day rental/lift ticket)

For any questions, contact: snowschool@mountsima.com.

The aim of Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) is to give people living with disabilities the opportunity to eliminate barriers that have prevented them in experiencing the Joy and Freedom of Snowsports. Not only in a fun and inclusive environment that embraces diversity but in an accessible community that treats each individual with respect.

Shoulder 2 Shoulder Veterans and First Responders Ski Retreat

Organized by Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snow Sports (VISAS), this event provides the opportunity for veterans & first responders to return to a sport they may once have enjoyed or to introduce them to a winter sport that may become a lifelong family activity. Participants spend 3 days skiing/snowboarding at Mt Sima with a friend/family member and a certified CADS instructor.

This event is sponsored by VISAS through support and grants. Mt Sima hosted our first Shoulder 2 Shoulder event last year for the first time with great success, and looks forward to hosting many more in the future,

For more information see: Shoulder 2 Shoulder Veterans and First Responders Ski Retreat | Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsport

Behaviour Policy

Please advise the Snow School Manager of any behaviour concerns or challenges that may impact the lessons being positive and safe for all involved, as well as strategies that are helpful for the participant.
Instructors are not able to address significant behaviour challenges such as self-injurious behaviour, physical and verbal abuse of others, inappropriate sexual behaviour, violence, profanity or a consistent unwillingness to participate.
Caregiver accompaniment may be requested. Unfortunately, in extreme situations, a participant may not be able to continue in the lessons.

Medication and personal care

Our instructors are not able to administer medication or cater to specific personal toileting needs. If you need help with these areas please arrange to have a family member or caregiver meet you as required.

Sit Ski Weight Limit

The weight limit for our sit ski equipment is a maximum of 200lbs.

Sit Ski Cold Weather Policy

If the temperature at Mt Sima is -15 degrees celsius or below, Mt Sima will cancel Sit-Ski lessons and reschedule to another date.

What are outriggers?

Outriggers are a type of adaptive snowsport equipment for individuals with disabilities of the lower extremities who walk with a cane or crutches. Outriggers help the skier or snowboarder to balance while acting as canes with short ski tips on the ends.

For more information Click Here.

What is a Sit Ski?

The Sit Ski is for individuals who ski in a sitting position. This may include individuals with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida or individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Mount Sima purchased a bi ski, a type of sit ski that has two skis on the bottom to provides a wider base than the mono ski and greater stability.

For more information Click Here.

Are the lessons all private? Do you offer group lessons?

Generally lessons will be 2 instructors to 1 student, or 1 instructor to 1 student. If there are 2 instructors: the lead instructor will be a certified CADS instructor and the second may be a volunteer.

If two individuals, of similar abilities, want to take a lesson together, we will then require that a friend/family member/support worker, who is already a skier/snowboarder, join the lesson to assist the instructor.

We welcome groups and organizations to book lessons as well. In this case instead of a group lesson, each individual would have their own instructor or we would pair up individuals of similar abilities with an instructor and support worker.

Are the beginner lessons on the bunny hill and on Green runs (Hailey’s and Pokeys)?

At this time, as we are a new program with newly certified instructors we will only be offering beginner ski and snowboard lessons on the Bunny hill.

For sit skiers who are tethered to an instructor, we will offer lessons on green runs after practice on the rope tow area.

Are parents/friends/support workers able to join the lessons?

A friend, family member or support worker, who is an experienced skier/snowboarder, is welcome to join for all lessons.

Ski Ability Chart

Level	Description
LEVEL 1 – FIRST TIME SKIER/BEGINNER	Who: I have never skied or; I have tried skiing but I am not yet able to stop with confidence on a gentle slope. What: I want to start with the basics – learn to glide on snow, and control speed and direction. Where: Session will begin on snow near the lodge and will progress to the Bunny Hill.
LEVEL 2: NOVICE	Who: I can stop with confidence on a gentle slope (Lower Bunny Hill). What: I want to work on turning and control to progress to the chairlift and more varied terrain. Where: Session will begin on the handle tow/Bunny Hill and may progress up the chairlift (Hailey’s or Pokey).
LEVEL 3: COMFORTABLE NOVICE	Who: I can control my speed and turn on easy green runs (Upper Bunny Hill). I may or may not have ridden a chairlift before. Steeper sections on green runs are challenging (Hailey’s, Pokey). What: I want to ride the chairlift and work on conquering the green runs. Where: Session will take place up the chairlift, on groomed green runs (Hailey’s or Pokey).
LEVEL 4: INTERMEDIATE	Who: I can ski in control on green runs and may have begun to explore blue runs. What: I want to explore blue run terrain and improve my skills on steeper slopes and varied terrain. Where: Session will take place on a mix of green and groomed blue runs (Hailey’s, Pokey, Dan’s Descent, Gold Rush).
LEVEL 5: ADVANCED	Who: I can ski everything that Mt. Sima has to offer with control and confidence. What: I want specialized instruction to improve my skiing ability to tackle specific terrain and conditions (e.g., carving, moguls, trees, ungroomed/crud). Where: Anywhere and everywhere. Terrain selection will depend on the goals of the lesson.

Snowboard Ability Chart

Level	Description
LEVEL 1 – FIRST TIME SNOWBOARDER/BEGINNER	Who: I have never snowboarded before or; I have tried snowboarding a few times but I want to learn the fundamentals. What: I want to start with the basics – learn to slide on snow, and control speed and direction Where: Session will begin on snow near the lodge and will progress to the Bunny Hill.
LEVEL 2: NOVICE	Who: I can slide on the snow with both feet attached and prefer one edge (either heel or toe side). What: I want to develop skills to ride both edges (heel side/toe side) and to steer the board downhill. Where: Session will begin on the handle tow/Bunny Hill and may progress up the chairlift (Hailey’s or Pokey).
LEVEL 3: COMFORTABLE NOVICE	Who: I can comfortably ride my heel edge and toe edge separately. What: I want to learn to link heel side and toe side turns and learn to turn with confidence. Where: Session will take place on the Bunny hill and groomed green runs (Hailey’s or Pokey).
LEVEL 4: INTERMEDIATE	Who: I can link turns in control on green runs and may have begun to explore blue runs. What: I want to explore blue run terrain and learn the fundamentals of board performance. Where: Session will take place on a mix of green and groomed blue runs (Hailey’s, Pokey, Dan’s Descent, Gold Rush).
LEVEL 5: ADVANCED	Who: I can snowboard in control on all blue runs. Steep blue sections (Upper Dan’s Descent) or ungroomed snow may be challenging. What: I want to refine my skills to master steep blue terrain and start to explore black and/or ungroomed terrain (possibly learn to ride Terrain Park). Where: Session will take place mainly on blue terrain (groomed or ungroomed) and may venture into black runs or gladed areas (Chilkoot, Friends Zone, Dream Weaver).
LEVEL 6: EXPERT	Who: I can snowboard everything that Mt. Sima has to offer with control and confidence. What: I want specialized instruction to improve my snowboarding ability to tackle specific terrain and conditions (e.g., trees, trees, ungroomed/crud, moguls, park). Where: Anywhere and everywhere. Terrain selection will depend on the goals of the lesson.

Aurora Cup