Safety & Risk Awareness
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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.
As a proud recipient of a Canadian Tire Jumpstart Grant, and thanks to our generous sponsor, Nuway Crushing, Mt Sima can offer FREE adaptive lessons for the 2024/25 Season. Pre-registration is required as spots are limited!
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 | 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) |
To book an adaptive lesson 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,
This year’s Shoulder 2 Shoulder event at Mt Sima will be running from March 21-23rd, 2025
For more information see: Shoulder 2 Shoulder Veterans and First Responders Ski Retreat | Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsport
FAQs
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.
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.
Who are adaptive lessons for?
For neurodiverse individuals, and individuals living with a physical and/or visual disability impairments. For example, neurodiverse individuals (e.g., autism, down syndrome, learning challenges, etc.) and individuals living with visual impairments, and/or physical impairments (e.g., vision loss, blurred vision, glaucoma, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, individuals with spinal cord injuries, etc.).
As a new program, we are only offering adaptive lessons for individuals who have never ever skied or snowboarded or have a few times but are still developing their skills on the Bunny Hill/rope tow area.
Adaptive Partners/Sponsors
Nuway Crushing Ltd generous support over the past few years has allowed us to reduce the cost of adaptive lessons, and to purchase another seat size for our Sit-Ski, making the adaptive program more inclusive.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. Like Jumpstart, we understand the importance of sport for the health and well-being of kids, and are proud of the work we do to provide sport and play for the community. With Jumpstart’s support, Mt Sima is able to remove the financial barrier to adaptive snowsport lessons for youth 25 and under, and support staff training for our adaptive instructors.
2024/25 Switch Ride Collective Lessons & Meetups
December 8 2024 – March 9 2025
Switch Ride Collective is hosting Lessons and Meetups for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Queers, and folks of all genders. These events are held on the second Sunday of each month from December to March! We’ll play some games and get to know each other, then split into Meetup and Lesson groups.
- Neverevers: For folks trying snowboarding for the first time or looking to improve on the bunny hill: FREE with a Snowboard Yukon/Canada Membership ($25 fee for the season), and includes a Mt. Sima rope tow ticket
- Beginner Lessons: Learn to ride the chair lift for the first time/ improve on various runs on the mountain: $15 with a Snowboard Yukon/Canada Membership ($25 fee for the season) and includes a chair lift ticket
- Meetups: If you’re an intermediate+ rider joining the meetups, we are so excited for you to join us! There is no fee and no need to register for this part of the event – just show up ready to play! Let us know if you need help paying for a lift ticket or gear rentals because we have some funding to help cover costs.
These lessons are for all women and non-binary people who want to learn to ski or snowboard and to improve their skills & technique in a social and supportive environment. Bring a friend(s) or come meet some like-minded individuals. Our instructors are all women or non-binary people who will support your development in a safe and fun environment. Groups will be split up by ski & snowboard, and ability level.
Day: Sundays
Length: 2 hours per day for 3 consecutive Sundays
Age: 19+
Ability: Level 1–4 (Check the Ability Chart above to find the appropriate group)
Lift tickets and rentals are not included in the lesson price.
A lift ticket or a season pass is required for all lessons. Bunny Hill tickets can be purchased separately for levels 1 & 2. These levels are likely to stay only on the bunny hill. Bunny hill tickets can be upgraded upon progression to the chairlift.
| Group | Dates | Time | Regular Price | Add-on half-day Lift Ticket | Add-on half-day Rental | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (levels 1-2) | January 12, 19 & 26 | 11am – 1pm | $145 | +$100 | +$80 | Registration Opens December 1st |
| Intermediate (levels 3-4) | January 12, 19 & 26 | 2pm – 4pm | $145 | +$100 | +$80 | Registration Opens December 1st |
Schools on Snow
We are excited to welcome students and teachers to the mountain for some fun on the slopes!
Mount Sima, with the Department of Education, is proud to offer Yukon school children the opportunity to ski and snowboard in a safe and enjoyable environment. The program provides subsidized rates for student lift tickets, lessons and rentals to school groups across the Yukon.
WEDNESDAYS ARE BUNNY HILL LESSONS ONLY – The chairlift will not run on this day and the cafeteria will not be open.
Registration will open on October 1st
- Choose dates that work best for your class, based on the available dates below
- Complete the Schools on Snow Request Form for each day you are requesting a visit. Please submit all of your requests at the same time, as having this information in advance helps us coordinate visits throughout the season.
- If space is available, you will receive a confirmation email that your class is booked. Priority will be given to classes requesting their first visit.
- Complete the “Class Lesson & Rental Request Form” no later than two weeks before your visit. This will be included in a confirmation email, sent no later than five weeks before your visit date.
- For booking changes please see our Cancellation Policy.
Morning
- Check-in at Snow School. Retrieve rentals if needed.
- Organize group with lift tickets.
- Assessment of Ability Levels
- Level 1-2 lessons
- Lunch- Coordinated by teachers
Afternoon
- Free Runs
- 2:00pm — Return Rentals
- 2:30pm — Departure
This schedule is based on a departure time of 2:30pm, if you desire an earlier or later departure the schedule can be adjusted.
Mid February the lift will begin operating at 10am.
Documents
Available Dates 2024-2025
OUR PROGRAM IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – PLEASE ADD YOUR CLASS TO THE WAITLIST AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE.
If your desired date is booked, you can be added to the waitlist by emailing snowschool@mountsima.com. If it is your second visit, you are not required to have lessons, and we may be able to accommodate your group on a reserved date.
- December 13th
- December 20th
- January 8th: Bunny hill only
- January 9th
- January 10th
- January 15th: Bunny hill only
- January 16th
- January 17th
- January 22nd: Bunny hill only
- January 23rd
- January 24th
- January 29th: Bunny hill only
- January 30th
- January 31st
- February 5th
- February 6th
- February 7th
- February 12th: Bunny hill only
- February 13th
- February 14th
- February 19th
- February 20th
- February 21st
- February 26th: Bunny hill only
- February 27th
- March 5th: Bunny hill only
- March 6th
- March 7th
- March 26th: Bunny hill only
- March 27th
- March 28th
- April 2nd: Bunny hill only
- April 3rd
- April 4th
