Choosing the Right Ski or Snowboard Skill Development Program for Your Child
From foundational skill-building to advanced competition training, there's a program perfectly suited to every level of interest and ability.
To help parents navigate the options, we connected with the Big White Ski & Board School, the Big White Ski Club, and the Big White Freestyle Club to learn more about what each program offers, and the skills young participants can expect to develop.
ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN A MULTI-WEEK PROGRAM SIMPLIFIED
Big White Ski & Board School – Freeride Program: Grow your child’s love of the mountains in a non-competitive team environment
The Big White Ski & Board School's Freeride program is the essential all mountain program for young skiers and snowboarders. This program is the ideal foundation for building strong technical skills in a safe and fun learning environment, helping your child gain confidence and develop responsible skiing and riding habits as part of a team.
Freeride offers both half-day and full-day options on either a Saturday or Sunday over a 9-week period for kids aged 6-15.
"Our certified instructors use a technical approach using Big Whites natural terrain to create a safe and fun learning experience, where children develop skills to be a confident mountain citizen with their friends and teammates.” says Michael Richards, Director of Mountain Sports at Big White Ski Resort. “This program serves as an excellent stepping stone for those who may later transition to more competitive teams like the Big White Ski Club or Big White Freestyle."
Program Highlights:
- Fits into your family schedule: Flexible options over a 9-week period allows you to tailor your schedule.
- Team environment: Learn alongside your friends and bond through shared mountain experience! Your kid is part of their team - the aim is to build a culture of friendship, support and respect for everyone sharing the space, and maintain a consistent approach as your child progresses.
- Supervised Lunch: Full-day participants can enjoy a supervised lunch break, an easy solution so parents know the kids are taken care of.
- Consistency in Instruction: We strive to provide the same instructor throughout the 9-week program; Our pro’s follow a proven plan over the 9-weeks to provide a well-rounded approach to learning and development for your child, with plenty of support from our training and management team.
- Lift Line Privileges: Our instructors have lift line privileges for more time on the slopes and less time in a lift line.
- Next steps: Providing a pathway to becoming an instructor through “pros in training”.
For more information and to enrol, please contact Michael Richards, Director of Mountain Sports, mrichards@bigwhite.com or the Ski & Board School at skischool@bigwhite.com or visit the Big White Ski & Snowboard School Freeride Club page.
Big White Ski Club: Nurturing Future Ski Racers
The Big White Ski Club is dedicated to laying the groundwork for young athletes to become confident and skilled ski racers. This is achieved through a combination of extensive on-snow experience, diverse training methods, physical and mental conditioning, and a structured introduction to competitive skiing.
Training sessions at the club are designed to foster a strong team spirit while catering to each racer's individual goals. Led by professional coaches, the club aims to instil a lifelong passion for alpine skiing. The focus is on creating a learning environment that is safe and enjoyable and encourages the development of friendships, respect, and discipline—skills that will serve the athletes well beyond the slopes.
"Being part of the club feels like joining an extended family. Both kids and parents alike cherish the close-knit 'Ski Family'. The camaraderie that comes from skiing with the same group of peers each week is invaluable," says Diana Veitch, Past VP of Big White Ski Club. "Regardless of how far they choose to pursue ski racing, the skills they acquire will enhance their overall skiing experience."
Veitch suggests that young skiers start with the Big White Ski School to build confidence on green runs and become comfortable using the chairlift before transitioning to the Big White Ski Club. The youngest athletes can join our Blazers (Nancy Greene Ski League) program to explore an intro to ski racing, while focusing on their overall skiing skill development. There are then options to progress through our U12, U14, U16 and Coach Apprentice (CAP) programs for those who enjoy the sport of alpine racing or ski cross.
"Once they've built that foundation, they'll love the community aspect of BWSC. Here, they can continue to develop their skills, potentially progressing into Alpine Racing disciplines like SL, GS, SG, DH, and Ski Cross within the club and beyond," she adds.
The Blazers program runs from January to mid-March, and the older athlete programs (U12 and older) start before the official opening of the winter season at Big White, with optional dryland & ski simulator training at our state-of-the-art training facility near downtown Kelowna for additional off-season or after-school training. This is a great opportunity for the kids to get to know their peers prior to hitting the snow and build team camaraderie.
To learn more and to register, visit the Big White Ski Club's website.
*Coaches do not have lift line privileges
Big White Freestyle Club: Taking your Athletes to the next level.
If your child is looking to conquer skiing bumps or catching big air, the Big White Freestyle Club (BWF) is the perfect place to take their skills to the next level. Dedicated to developing young athletes in a fun, safe, and progressive environment, BWF caters to skiers and snowboarders aged 6-16. The club offers both competitive and recreational pathways, encouraging participation in local, regional, and provincial competitions. This approach allows athletes to "Level Up" their freestyle abilities and advance their overall development.
The BWF coaching staff consists of former athletes who have competed at provincial, national and international levels. These coaches bring a wealth of expertise and a positive, motivating attitude to every training session. They focus on guiding athletes through skill progressions while fostering respect and camaraderie among teammates. This approach helps build lifelong friendships among skiers and boarders who are passionate about the sport of freestyle.
"One of the things I love most about Freestyle is the community," says Steve Lewandowski, Program Director at BWF.
The club offers a vibrant community where FUN is had both on and off the snow. Parents are welcome to observe as their athletes are trained in TELUS Park, on the Airbag, Boardercross, Mogul Course, and across the mountain. The social aspect and the friendships formed between athletes and parents are key components of the BWF experience. The club is committed to continually enhancing its programs through feedback, designing training plans that meet the individual needs of each athlete within a supportive team atmosphere.
BWF offers on-snow programs with 10, 14, and 18-week options, catering to athletes comfortable on everything from blue runs to double black diamonds and beyond. In addition, the club provides a variety of off-season training opportunities, including trampoline and conditioning at the Airhouse, water ramps, dry slope airbags, rail parks, and summer camps.
For more information or to join the BWF community, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Big White Freestyle’s website or contact Steve directly at director@bigwhitefreestyle.com.
*Coaches do not have lift line privileges