For Parents
We want parents to gain a better understanding of the club experience and what to expect. Please set aside some time to read this page.
We want parents to gain a better understanding of the club experience and what to expect. Please set aside some time to read this page.
Yes, more than ever. We have numerous programs for every level of snowboarder, from beginners who can link turns right up to competitive FIS xcross riders.
Passes for Sunshine Village and COP are not included in the fees. We strongly encourage families to buy Sunshine Annual Passes.
Every year 80% of our club members come on their own without friends. Everyone has a shared interest (snowboarding) so club members make friends fast.
We group athletes by same age and same gender and same ability, so your child has a buddy immediately.
Some of our competitive team members have been in the club since they were 8 years old. They have been friends for 10 years!!
Not every child has the desire to compete, that is why we have pure recreational programs and separate competitive programs. Our club supports the RBC Riders program which is a fun race series which introduces athletes up to 14 years old to competitions in a supportive environment.
We are girl friendly with specific female coaches. If they wish, we group girls together for big mountain riding.
Sunshine has a strict NO-tolerance substance control policy. The policy is specifically stated within the acknowledgment parents and athletes sign at the beginning of the club year. We send kids home, with no refund, for violating this policy.
Smoking is illegal in Alberta for anyone under the age of 18, and is not conducive to the active environment at the Sunshine Snowboard Club. If an athlete is caught smoking, he/she will forfeit an on-hill day. We have exercised this consequence. If the athlete continues to smoke, he/she will be sent home without a refund.
We have different fee levels for volunteer and non-volunteer parents. If you don’t want to volunteer, the program price is higher in order for us to hire people for jobs the club must perform that are normally done by volunteers.
We start Sundays on the first Sunday in December(December 6, 2009) at Sunshine Village. We meet at 9:00 in old gondola room above Creekside (the building in the parking lot). We try to be in the Gondola by 9:15 am.
We break for lunch at 11:30 and athletes can eat together with some of the coaches and other athletes in the main lodge cafeteria or their families . After lunch we meet at 12:30 outside the main chalet, (climbers right). We finish the day at 3:00 pm outside the main lodge.
Depending on the program, we have Sunday only programs at Sunshine Village, with up to 2 evenings at COP as well as coached events in Calgary and the Bow Corridor and events throughout BC.
We advise that your child attend as many of the Sundays and evenings at COP as possible, so they may learn as quickly as possible. The competitions and away trips are extras and not required.
We do not refund for any missed days. Any days can canceled by the club due to inclement weather are made up after the end of the regular season.
Many of the club athletes travel to competitive events. The club will book condos, manage food and entry fees for these events. The costs for these events are invoiced to the athlete against the race deposit. When the race deposit is used, we may ask for another deposit to top up the race account. You will receive an invoice for each of the events your child attends.
We work closely with the hill’s ski patrols to assess injuries to athletes. When an athlete is injured, coaches have phone numbers for parents and/or guardians and will contact them to let them know what has occurred and what are the next steps.
You can drop your child at the hill, but you will need to let the coaches know you are leaving and ensure they have correct contact information. You will also have to give your child clear instructions about where they are to meet you after the day or evening coaching is completed.
We have recently been approved for a casino in June 2010. We will need all the bodies we can get for the volunteer commitment. We expect to raise about $60,000 which will help keep fees low.
You child needs ability appropriate snowboard, bindings and boots.
Our coaches are available for consultation on the best board for your child. Many snowboard stores in Calgary and the Bow Corridor will give 10-20% discounts on product, just mention you are part of the Sunshine Snowboard Club. Contact the club for a list of the stores.
Helmets are mandatory. We will not allow your child on the hill unless they are wearing a correctly fitted helmet at all times.
Sunshine Village can vary greatly in temperature. Always send a warm jacket, snowpants, a couple pairs of mittens or gloves, facewarmer, and goggles. Send your child with a backpack to hold handwarmers, fleeces and extra gloves.
For Sunshine Days, make sure your child has a hearty lunch (packed or bought), water and enough snacks to get them through the day. Remember, they will be boarding for 6 hours and it isn’t fun to bonk in the middle of the afternoon!!!!
If there are days with extreme weather (cold, wind, lightning) COP will call coaches and let them know the hill is shut down. Coaches will email or call athletes to advise them of the shutdown.
Call Sunshine Village if you suspect they might shut for the day because of weather. Coaches will often go to the hill to see weather conditions, but might not be able to reach athletes in the morning.
Check your emails often on the days of bad weather!!! We make up weather days at the end the of season usually at Sunshine Village.