SPACER
Registration Day: October 1 2025
VASS and CADS Courses
Below you find some of our training opportunities this year as well as recorded training sessions that you might have missed. Also if you are looking for any manuals or course work books, they can now be found in SNOWLINE on the landing page under the heading LIBRARY.
What is CADS Level 1 Training?
Our foundation is grounded in the national ski and snowboard organizations, particularly the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) training programs. The CADS Level 1 course is the national, entry-level certification for adaptive ski and snowboard instructors. It equips you with the foundational skills, teaching methods, and safety knowledge you’ll need to deliver adaptive lessons on snow. Whether you’re working with beginners, supporting specialized equipment, or adapting to unique learning needs, this course provides the framework to help you succeed as an instructor.
Why Take it?
Completing Level 1 means you’re not only learning how to teach — you’re learning how to adapt. CADS instructors are trained to assess each student’s abilities, create inclusive lesson plans, and use nationally recognized teaching progressions. The certification connects you to a broader network of adaptive snow sports professionals across Canada and gives you a strong foundation to grow into more advanced certifications in the future.
Who Needs It?
Every VASS instructor — whether you’re brand new or a returning volunteer — must complete the CADS Level 1 course as part of our instructor team. It’s your first step to becoming a confident, skilled adaptive snow sports instructor and ensures that all lessons are delivered with the same high standards of safety, inclusivity, and fun.
CADS Courses
✅ Before You Sign Up: Please complete these 3 mandatory steps, before attending the 2-night, 2-day CADS Level 1 course. Click each for details
1) ZOOM Prep Session (skip if you have CSIA or CASI Level 1)
Who needs this? Anyone who does not already hold CASI Level 1 (snowboard) or CSIA Level 1 (ski). The goal is to be comfortable with basic technical language, concepts and progressions before a CADS Level 1 course.
Time: 1.5-hour via Zoom, led by a CADS Course Conductor via Zoom a few weeks before your course
How to join: Register for this ZOOM session on your Snowline profile.
Already have CASI L1 or CSIA L1? You can skip this step.
2) SafeSport Training (mandatory for everyone)
What: SafeSport is a mandatory e-course that must be completed by all volunteers across Canada, and if you have already completed it, enter your NCCP number into your profile under the ‘Skills & Certs’ tab.
Time: ~60–90 minutes (self-paced, online).
Start Here: SafeSport Training
3) Countdown Training (mandatory for everyone)
What: With a grant from Autism Speaks and input from experts, this interactive eLearning from CADS is designed to provide ski & snowboard instructors and parents with practical and inclusive tools and strategies to help create positive experiences for participants of diverse learning abilities. This is excellent prep for the 2nd day of the CADS Level 1 course. Once you have made a profile for yourself on Snowline and paid your CADS Membership, this e-course is free.
Time: 1.5 hours (self-paced, online)
How to join:
i. Sign into your Snowline account.
ii. Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
iii. Click ‘eLearning’ in the black footer section.
iv. Choose ‘Countdown Learning’ from the top of the list
CADS Level 1 – Upcoming Courses
- Date: December 18 – 21, 2025 | Location: Grouse Mountain
- Date: January 1 – 4, 2026 | Location: Grouse Mountain
- Date: January 8 – 11, 2026 | Location: Grouse Mountain
Times: Thursday 5- 9 pm, Friday 6 – 9 pm, Weekend: 8 – 4 pm
CADS Level 2 – Upcoming Courses
- Date: TBD | Location: Grouse Mountain
- Date: TBD | Location: Grouse Mountain
CADS Level 3 – Upcoming Courses
- Date: TBD | Location: Grouse Mountain
- Date: TBD | Location: Grouse Mountain
Note: For any course, please bring extra gloves, socks, base layers, snacks, and plenty of water. Be prepared to meet promptly at the base of the mountain with your skis or snowboard and your gear.
Prices & Membership
- $50 – price of a CADS Level 1 course
- $57 – CADS/BCAS Membership fee (includes liability insurance and perks)
- $5 – SKIMP – night lessons only for VASS instructors (optional lessons)
CADS Perks & Benefits
As a thank you for choosing to volunteer with VASS, we’ve arranged access to pro deals at Outdoor Prolink. With your free membership you will have access to 30-50% off 130+ top outdoor brands like RAB, La Sportiva, Mammut, Thule, Big Agnes and more.
1. Head to https://outdoorprolink.ca/signup
2. Fill in the application. Put your job industry as “not for profit”, use the application code “VASS41224LI” and company name “Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports”
3. That’s it! Your application will be processed and you can start shopping.
Please reach out to apply@outdoorprolink.com if you have any questions along the way.
VASS Training
Orientation Night (what to expect):
Orientation is our season kick-off for your program. In about 60–90 minutes, we’ll cover VASS safety protocols, lesson flow, roles on-hill (rentals, bottom/top-of-mountain), communication plans, and how student–instructor pairings work. You’ll meet your Program Coordinators and fellow instructors, confirm any required items (CADS membership, SafeSport, Countdown, L1 dates), and get first-day logistics (where to meet, timing, lift-pass details). Attendance is required for first-time instructors and strongly encouraged for returning volunteers so everyone starts week one aligned, prepared, and ready to have fun.
SKIMP Nights (Ski Improvement) – $5 per lesson:
SKIMP sessions are night lessons for VASS instructors to improve and work on their skiing and snowboarding. Sessions are led by CSIA/CASI Level 3 or 4 trainers and are opportunities to refine your techniques, ask questions, and gain insights from experienced instructors. They are also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow skiers and snowboarders. Starts from the yurt at the top of Grouse Mountain. Be ready to ski or snowboard immediately.
SKIMP Ski
Date: January 9 2026 – 6:00-8:30 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
Date: TBD – 6:00-9:00 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
Date: TBD – 6:00-9:00 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
SKIMP Snowboard
Date: TBD- 6:00-9:00 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
Date: TBD- 6:00-9:00 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
Date: TBD- 6:00-9:00 PM | Location: Grouse Mountain
Resources
FAQ
Making the mountains accessible to all
