Winter sports charities in Canada

The  snow has finally arrived up on the local mountains here in Vancouver, and many of the Charitable Impact team are excited to dust off our boards, skis and sleds and hit the chairlifts!

If you are into winter sports, then you might be interested in supporting one of the following winter sports charities in Canada. These organizations have partnerships with local Vancouver ski resorts, including Cypress and Grouse Mountains. They work to keep people safe on the slopes, and to make winter sports accessible to all.

First Aid Ski Patrol

First Aid Ski Patrol  are a volunteer, non profit organization that provide ski patrol services on Grouse Mountain and Cypress Cross Country (Hollyburn). Their main focus is to provide first aid to injured skiers and boarders, but they also carry out risk management, safety operations and accident investigation.

Chill Vancouver

Chill Vancouver operates 3 Positive Youth Development programs annually. They use the power of boardsports (snowboarding in the winter!) to build confidence & self-esteem, and provide a safe and inclusive space for learning. Their target demographic is youths aged 10-18 years old, from vulnerable households, those struggling with mental health & addiction, and youth living in care.

Special Olympics

The goal of Special Olympics BC is to reach out to those with intellectual disabilities through sport, and give them the opportunity to see themselves for their abilities, not their disabilities. Every year, Special Olympics host a winter games tournament that sees over 600 athletes from across the province competing in 8 different sports.

Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports

Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports aim to make the mountains accessible to all by running skiing and snowboarding programs for those with disabilities at Grouse, Seymour and Cypress Mountains. They offer programs to meet the needs of all members, which include snowboarding, sit-ski, stand-up skiing and advanced adaptive ski racing.

Have you given to a Canadian winter sports charity in the past? If so, we’d love to hear which one! Get in touch at @wearecharitable.