Looking for a new extra-curricular to put on your radar? Our Educational Consultants are here to help! We’re up-to-date on all the different extra-curricular activities students can participate in and can’t wait to share them with our clients. Check out our newest extra-curricular feature below.
Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports: Vancouver, BC
For high school students interested in a hands-on, community-focused volunteer experience, Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) offers a unique way to build skills while supporting others. Based on the North Shore mountains, VASS trains volunteers to teach adaptive skiing and snowboarding to individuals with a wide range of disabilities. It’s a structured, well-supported program that combines technical training, teamwork, and real impact on the hill.
What VASS Does
VASS provides adaptive snow sports lessons at Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Cypress Mountain. All lessons are taught by trained instructors who help students build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy the mountain in an accessible way.
The organization operates through partnerships with national and provincial bodies, including Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS). These partnerships allow VASS to offer recognized certification programs and consistent on-snow training.
Demand for adaptive lessons grows every year, and VASS regularly turns away more than 50 students due to limited instructor availability. New volunteers directly increase access for those who would otherwise not be able to participate.
Who Can Volunteer
Students can volunteer with VASS starting at age 15. No previous teaching experience is required, and you do not need to be an expert skier or snowboarder. Volunteers should be comfortable on green runs and some blue terrain, and open to learning adaptive techniques.
Every new instructor is paired with an experienced returning instructor. Lessons are always taught in pairs, so volunteers are never responsible for a student alone.
Training and Certification
All volunteers must complete the CADS Level 1 instructor certification. This training is delivered through a mix of online and on-snow sessions over two evenings and two full days. The course focuses on:
- Adaptive teaching methods
- Safety and equipment
- Student-centred approaches
- Supporting a range of physical, cognitive, and developmental needs
The certification is recognized across Canada and has a strong success rate, with experienced instructors guiding volunteers through each step.
Before the season begins, volunteers attend an on-mountain orientation to meet their teaching partner, connect with their program coordinator, and get familiar with the lesson environment.
Time Commitment and Schedule
Volunteering with VASS includes:
- CADS Level 1 certification (mandatory for first-year instructors)
- A two-hour on-mountain orientation in mid-January
- Six consecutive weeks of lessons starting late January (2.5–3 hours each week)
Volunteers receive a season lift pass for their assigned mountain. Ski or snowboard equipment must be provided by the volunteer.
Costs and Membership
Volunteers pay the following program fees:
- CADS Level 1 course: $50
- CADS/BC Adaptive Snowsports membership: $57 (includes insurance)
- Criminal record check (optional via Sterling): $25, or free through local police with VASS’s volunteer letter
Students looking for a meaningful way to spend part of their winter and build skills they can carry into university and beyond will find VASS to be a supportive and rewarding option.
Students can find full details and registration information on VASS’s website.
If you’re interested in discovering more extracurricular options, be sure to check out our other features under the Fun topic on the blog. And, if you’re looking for guidance on which activities can boost your resume in preparation for university applications, feel free to reach out to us and chat with one of our educational consultants. We’d love to help you find the perfect extracurricular that aligns with your goals and passions!
