The Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS) is hosting their 25th annual Winter Snowsports Festival from Sunday, Jan. 3 to Thursday, Jan. 7 at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
“If you are a person with a disability and you’ve always wanted to try downhill skiing, snowboarding or cross country skiing, now’s your chance,” said Peter Gardiner-Harding, chair of the 2016 Learn to Ski Festival.
“Our Winter Snowsports Festival is a great opportunity for you to get out on the snow and receive four consecutive days of ski/boarding instruction from our nationally certified instructors. VISAS provides free instruction, lift passes, equipment, two banquets and daily transportation between Courtenay and the mountain. We’d love to join you in having a great time,” continues Gardiner-Harding.
The popular Winter Snowsports Festival is limited to 35 students and is open to anyone aged six years or older who has reasonable potential to learn snowsports. “We especially want to see you if you’ve never skied or boarded before. Your two biggest contributions will be your passion for learning and some warm clothes. We’ll help you with the rest,” added Gardiner-Harding.
With over 40 years experience, VISAS’ volunteer instructors are getting ready for another exciting year on the mountain. Over 90 VISAS ski and snowboard instructors volunteer their time every day the mountain is open (except on Christmas day and Easter day) to provide those with a physical, cognitive or developmental disability a chance to learn to downhill ski, snowboard or cross country ski, and at very little cost.
It’s also never too early to also start thinking about VISAS’ major fundraiser for the season, the Herb Bradley Challenge (HBC) 2016. Proceeds from the HBC allow VISAS to continue to hold programs like the Winter Snowsports Festival. Sponsor a team and enter this fun ski/snowboard event at Mount Washington on Sunday, Feb. 21.
For more details on the HBC, the 2016 four-day Winter Snowsports Festival, and to download an application, visit: visasweb.ca. Applications for the Winter Snowsports Festival in January must be received by Dec. 11 to be eligible. For additional information on the festival contact Gardiner-Harding on 416-363-4972 or email: peter@playsthatwork.com. You will also find VISAS on Facebook and Flickr.
