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FAQ

Pre Trip Questions

1. Am I Good Enough?

As long as you can make turns down intermediate terrain then you are ready for Pro Ride. The majority of our programs are designed for the intermediate to advanced rider. .If you are a beginner, novice, junior development rider or athlete preparing for competition you can contact us to find out about our custom designed snowboard camps.

2. Should I choose a camp, course or clinic?

Clinics designed for those people who have their own accommodations and lift passes but would still like to participate in the training portion of our programs. If you need accommodations, lift tickets, and transfers to Whistler then a camp or course is best for you. A camp is for those that want to come out and train for 1 or weeks and a course is for those that want to train longer term anywhere from 4 – 12 weeks.

3. Do people travel to camp alone or in a group?

The majority of campers come to train with Pro Ride alone so it is a great way to meet new friends that share the same passion for snowboarding.  If you are travelling with a friend or a partner let us know and we will make sure that you are organised to share the same accommodations.  

4. Am I too Old or too Young?

Pro Ride's winter camps are for adults with the minimum age being 17. On rare occasions we do accept younger campers but they must be accompanied by an adult on the trip.  The average age of campers range from early to mid 20’s through to mid 30’s. We have worked with campers as young as 14 and as old as 55. 

5. How is coaching organized?

All campers are matched for ability level with a maximum camper to coach ratio of 4:1 guaranteed. We ride in groups however coaches are well aware of each camper’s individual goals. We ride either in the morning or afternoon depending on the time of the year so that we can take advantage of the best conditions Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains has to offer.

6. Are helmets mandatory?

Helmets are compulsory on all Pro Ride programs and we advise you to wear one while snowboard even in your own time as head injuries are one of the most serious injuries we see on the mountain. We will be riding lots of steeps, trees and teaching you how to jump so it is always a good idea to keep your head safe.  If you do not already own one, we can help you with discounts at the local snowboard stores.

7. Do I need Medical insurance?

Medical insurance is compulsory for all participants of Pro Ride Snowboard programs.  You should ensure that your travel insurance includes medical coverage while snowboarding in Canada.  You may also want to look into additional coverage such as cancellation, theft and trip interruption should you injure yourself and not be able to continue your program. 

8. How much spending money should I bring?

While on camp you will need money for food, entertainment and any new equipment or presents you plan to buy.  Everything else will be taken care of.  $30 - $50 per day is enough for most people survive. If you like to go out lots then bring a little more.

9. Are Meals included?

All meals are your own responsibility but we have a food market close by to do your shopping and there are many restaurants and places to eat out for every budget. 

Travelling to Canada

1. Do I need a passport and a visitor’s visa?

A passport is required for all travelers other than Canadians. A visitor’s visa is not required for most countries however Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to Canada are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) with the exception of U.S. citizens. The cost is $7 CAD with most ETA applications approved within minutes of applying. Please visit Immigration Canada for more information and see if you need to apply for a specific travel visa or just an ETA.  

2. When should I arrange my flights and which airport do I fly to?

Once you have booked your camp you should book your flights into Vancouver International Airport (YVR).   We will handle the transfer to Whistler so please try to arrive between 10am and 4pm on the Saturday and depart after 12 noon on the last day of your program.  The last transfer from YVR to Whistler is 5pm so please make sure you have time to collect your bags and get through customs.  

3. How do I get to and from the airport?

Before you depart for you trip you will receive arrival information along with a confirmation number for Pacific Coach Lines who will transport you to Whistler.  The bus departs from right outside the arrivals lounge and will drop you off at the Legends Hotel in Whistler where we will be waiting to take you to your accommodations for your stay. Transfers to Whistler are included in camp and course pricing. The return trip is your obligation however we are more than happy to assist you with an upgrade for your return.

4.Can I Arrive in Whistler earlier or later?

Yes you can arrive in Whistler on any day you wish but remember if it is before your camp starts you will need to organize your own alternate accommodation. Your Pro Ride accommodation starts on your camp start date which is always a Saturday. If you arrive a day late (Sunday) we can still organize your transfer to Whistler and you won’t miss out on training as all sessions start on the Monday after your arrival.

5. Can transfers be arranged from downtown Vancouver?

If you arrive early and plan to spend a few days in Vancouver first we can arrange pickups from select locations in downtown Vancouver.  Please email us for an updated list of these departure points.

Registration & Payment

1. How do I book?

To book the ultimate Pro Ride experience of a lifetime, fill in a registration form that can be found at the following link accompanied by your deposit and then wait for the snow.

2. What are the cancellation policies?

Clinics: If you cancel up to 48 hours prior to the start of your program, $500 CDN is non-refundable. No refunds if cancellation is received after 48 hours prior to program start date.

Camps: If you cancel up to 45 days prior to the start of your camp, $500 CDN is non-refundable. After 45 days prior to the start of your camp and up to camp start date, $1000 is non-refundable. No refunds after the camp start date.

Courses: If you cancel up to 45 days prior to the start of your course, $1000 CDN is non-refundable. After 45 days prior to the start of your course and up to 31 days prior, $2000 is non-refundable. From 30 days prior to the beginning of your program 50% or $3000 is non refundable (whatever is greater). No refunds after the course start date.

Accommodation

1. Where are the Pro Ride Accommodations?

All Pro Ride houses and condos are located centrally in Whistler within walking distance to all shops, restaurants, bars and gondolas.

Our Pro Rider camp house and long term program accommodation is located in Brio, 800m walking distance from the Village. 

Our 1 & 2 week program accommodations are located in smaller fully self contained 2 bedroom condos in the heart of Whistler Village.  

2. What are the sleeping arrangements?

We match up campers of similar sex and age. Based on our correspondence we do our best to also match personalities as we want you to be very comfortable during your stay. Accommodations are twin share.  If you would prefer your own room or are traveling with your family we are more than happy to help you make alternative accommodation arrangements. 

Trip Planning

Freeride or Freestyle Camp? Which should i choose.

Freeride camp sessions are run using the whole mountain with an emphasis on rider improvement through groomers, powder, steeps, trees, drops and jumps over natural terrain whereas the freestyle sessions are run solely in one of the 5 Whistler & Blackcomb Terrain parks learning to jump table tops, grab, spin and ride rails. Freestyle sessions are technically more advanced so we recommend to be a solid all mountain rider before booking one of our freestyle camps.  If it's your first trip to Whistler the freeride camp is a great way to get to see more of the mountain and for camps of 2 weeks or longer you can mix your program with a combination of both freeride and freestyle.