Thank you for considering volunteering with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS)!
We provide ski and snowboard lessons to individuals with disabilities at the three local North Shore mountains in Vancouver (Grouse, Seymour & Cypress), operating the largest adaptive snow sports group in Canada. All of this is made possible through our dedicated volunteer instructors, many of whom were in your shoes not too long ago.
Our foundation is grounded in the National ski and snowboard organizations, particularly the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) training programs. Through these valuable partnerships, we offer world-class training to help you become a specialized snow sport instructor. In your first year, you’ll be paired with a returning volunteer, enabling team teaching and further skill development. Our goal is to ensure success for both our volunteers and students, providing support throughout your entire journey. You’re on the verge of making one of the best and most fulfilling decisions of your life.
Volunteering with VASS is a calling for many, driven by:
- a love and passion for anything on the snow
- wanting to make a difference in our community and the world
- having a connection to someone with a disability
- a want to be involved in social structures
- opportunities to learn new skills
- to get free access to local mountains
- to support a family member or friend
- to create memories that last a life time
Additionally, volunteering with VASS offers a range of health benefits. While physical health is an obvious outcome of engaging in snow sports, the positive impact on mental health should not be underestimated. Engaging in outdoor activities, aiding others, enhancing social interactions, and acquiring new knowledge are all endorsed by leading psychologists for improving mental well-being. Discover more about enhancing your mental health.
To provide you with an idea of VASS’s scale, in 2023, we had 550 volunteer instructors who conducted 1700 lessons. The equation is simple: the more volunteers we have, the greater impact we can make by delivering more lessons. Currently, VASS does not engage in active advertising to attract students, yet every year there are 50-100 students who miss the chance to experience the joys of skiing down the slopes. We’re continually striving to meet this demand, and your decision to join us brings us a step closer. Learn more about what your first year at VASS will entail and get closer to making a significant difference.