Canadian Association for Disable

Volunteer ski partners are the core of our program. We need intermediate or better skiers (parallel skiing) who can devote at least six weekend days to skiing with us. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, own their own equipment and have transportation to the ski hill. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Program Coordinator.

Volunteer Appreciation and Incentives

As each skier requires at least one volunteer (and often two) as partners, the number of skiers that Edelweiss can accept into its program safely is tied directly to the number of volunteers available. To this end, since 2007/08 we have capped our skier total at 0.7 times the number of volunteers available. A waiting list of skiers has been created and as volunteers register, up to 110 skiers will be accepted into the Edelweiss CADS program.

In order for CADS Edelweiss to accept its full complement of skiers, 155 volunteers are required to support the program.

As in the past, CADS Edelweiss is addressing some of volunteer concerns with incentive based programs showing our commitment and our thanks to our most dedicated volunteers!

Initiative 1: Seasons Passes

Any volunteer signing up for both Saturday and Sunday -- and committing to 12 of 16 days -- plus attending at least one preseason training day will receive an Edelweiss seasons pass.

Initiative 2: Volunteer Appreciation Draws

Volunteers are awarded tickets for draw prizes for assisting with key program objects. Tickets are available for the following:

5 Tickets for recruiting a new Edelweiss volunteer before start of season
5 Tickets for volunteering to coordinate the banquet, Ski-A-Thon, Registration Night, or Volunteer Appreciation Night
3 Tickets for recruiting a new Edelweiss volunteer after start of season
3 Tickets Register as a volunteer for both Saturday and Sunday prior to close of registration.
2 Tickets Register, as a new or returning volunteer, before December 07, 2008 (or close of normal registration)
1 Ticket Attend a pre-season training session
1 Ticket Register with the program after close of registration Available New volunteers only

1 Ticket Attend special events (1 ticket per event):
- CADS-NCD AGM
- CADS Edelweiss Fitting days (as a helper)
- Participate in Volunteer recruiting efforts (e.g. Ottawa Ski Show)

Odds of winning are dependent on participation in the listed activities; however odds of 1 in 12 are expected.

Prizes (to be drawn at the end of season banquet)

Grand Prize: Skis (value approx. $325)
1st Prize: iPod or similar (value approx. $150)
2nd Prize: Gift Certificate or similar (value approx. $75)

Other prizes may include:

CADS Golf shirts
Warren Miller Movie night tickets (pair)
Gift certificates to spas and/or dinner (TBD)

Initiative 3: Warren Millar Night

Any registered volunteer or registered skier may purchase Warren Millar Movie Night tickets during the Edelweiss Registration night.

Any registered skier for any CADS-NCD program
Any registered volunteer within CADS-NCD
Can purchase tickets for family and friends while quantities last

Initiative 4: Volunteer Appreciation Evenings (x2)

Back by popular demand, our annual volunteer appreciation ski night (Friday, February 15) is available free of charge to Edelweiss volunteers that have partnered at least 4 ski days. Significant others are welcome at a reduced rate of $15.

As was done in 2008, a second volunteer appreciation night, hosted in January is available! Same rules apply – volunteers are welcome free of charge, significant others are welcome at a reduce rate of $15. Come out and join us for a fun Tuesday Night of skiing and boarding – January 20, 2009.

Pre-Season Training Saturday December 13, 2008 Sunday December 14, 2008.

Before the start of the program, a one day training session is offered to all ski partners. The training session may be taken either of the weekend days. The session lasts from 8:30am until 4pm, with most of the time being spent on the hill. Trainees are assigned to a certified instructor who takes them through all the skills and knowledge needed to perform the role of a ski partner. It is very important that all volunteers, new or returning attend the training sessions as it provides our first opportunity to walk through changes to the program, review safety requirements, and most of all, improve our skiing and teaching techniques!

There are two distinct streams, one for people who wish to tether sitskis and the other for everyone else. See the schedule for the dates of the training weekend. Sitski tetherers will be required to return for a second day of training and evaluation.

On-going Support

During the course of the program, instructors will be visiting skiers and their ski partners and providing instruction to both. This is augmented by Tuesday night ski improvement sessions at 7pm for all partners, where you can work on improving their own skiing abilities.

In addition, supervisors are available at the end of each program day for guidance.

Program Coordinator:
Krista Temple

email EdelweissProgram@CADS-NCD.ca
613-276-1834