Students New to SSASS
SSASS accepts children and adults with a variety of diverse learning needs who are interested in learning to alpine ski, or snowboard. Our instructors are trained in adaptive techniques and have access to adaptive equipment designed to make snow sports accessible.
Lessons are scheduled for 2 hours and offered mornings and afternoons, 7 days a week during the ski season based on instructor availability.
Our lessons are offered at no cost to our students. However, students are responsible for the costs of their lift tickets, ski or snowboard equipment, including helmets, and BCAS membership. We provide adaptive equipment as required.
All students must have a current annual BCAS membership. BCAS membership may entitle you to purchase lift tickets and rentals at a discount at SSMR (please contact the resort for details). BCAS also provides insurance coverage for both the student and instructors.
Applying to join SSASS takes about 20 minutes via our online portal, Snowline. The following information will be required:
- Personal Information including caregiver and emergency contact.
- Club information request: Purpose of participating (finish sentence....'while on snow you wish to'...learn to race, learn skills, or be active for life; type of disability (checklist provided).
- Medical information: Height/weight, physical condition as it relates to participation, behavioural traits and triggers, techniques to de-escalate.
- Medical Clearance to Participate – click here to download.
- Program you are registering for see below.
Once you are ready to register, access Snowline. From the main screen select I NEED A NEW ACCOUNT. Enter your name and email, choose an ID and password, select Student as your main reason for joining, then click SSASS. Confirm that you wish to join SSASS. You will be taken to the screens for completing the various sections of your profile. As each section is completed it will turn green. At any time you can logout (top right corner) and log in later to continue. Once you have completed the Programs and Pgm Details sections, return to Membership to pay. Select Pay Now to pay your membership fees.
We encourage you to register as early as possible to avoid disappointment as our programs are very popular.
Note that acceptance to SSASS programs requires ALL information to be provided and waivers signed through Snowline.
SSASS offers the following programs, please select the program that best fits your needs and follow the registration process for that program. (links below take to each Program page for more detail)
Local weekly lessons – an 8 week program which runs from early January with a ratio of one or two instructors per local student.
School program – lessons are provided to visiting school groups so no one is left behind because of diverse learning needs.
Visitor program - if you are a visitor to SSMR or a local who cannot commit to our weekly local program, and need an adaptive instructor, then this program may be for you! Please be aware that we have very limited availability on weekends in January and February
Race Team - our SSASS learn to race program is a high performance race development program for independent SSASS students with intermediate/advanced skiing, sit-ski or boarding skills who are looking for fun, coaching and challenge.
Note that the coach to racer ratio is 1:4 so a skier must be able to load, offload and ski independently, and be able to participate in a team environment.