Winter Sports Company Avis 

After researching multiple potential companies to use for my ski season, one phone call with Rik and I knew ‘Winter Sports’ was the company to use! Throughout the whole process he was nothing but helpful, always there with information or to call and chat. I would highly recommend using this company they’re fantastic!!

I was very interested in the Gap Year program from the Winter Sports Company in Canada. Unfortunately, I couldn't go there in the end due to Covid-19, nevertheless, the organization was great from the beginning. I really had the feeling that the Winter Sports Team was very interested in making sure I had a nice stay. Furthermore, the support after my trip was canceled was still fantastic. I had a new place in another gap year program within two days. Thank you very much.

From our first contact with Winter Sports we have been absolutely amazed at the quality of service and support we have received. Way back in February 2020 my daughter signed up for the snowboard instructors course at Sun Peaks in Canada for November 2020
Then Covid 19 changed everything!
While the initial booking and communication process was extremely professional, the support and advice we have received since Covid's impact has taken effect, has been above and beyond anything we could have hoped for or expected.
Rik has attempted so many things to allow my daughter to attend a snowboard instructors course as part of her gap year. He has also supported and advised her on other newly considered plans to gain experience crewing on yachts across the Atlantic as a potential alternative.
In the end he has helped her to source a place on an instructors course in France with another company in January.
Not only has he kept my daughter's dream alive he has shown what a committed and considerate business Winter Sports is.
I can only hope that post-Covid his company thrives as it deserves to. I consider him a friend and I've never even met him.
Anyone using this company in the future has found a true gent.

Really good, gave full refund and kept me updated.

Such an amazing company! Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, the Winter Sports Company have done an absolutes fantastic job of organising and supporting my trip to Verbier this winter. Rik, spoke to me a couple times, giving his expertise and opinions on different resorts, from the type of snow, to the general ‘vibe’ of the place. His knowledge, helped me (finally) decide on a Verbier, where I’m sure I’ll have an amazing time. Furthermore, The Winter Sports Company have been so reassuring and easy to work with, given the situation at the moment. I am so pleased I choose them and I can’t wait to get to go to the mountains with them - 100% recommend!!

Trying to book a Gap Year ski course during lockdown wasn't an easy challenge but Rik Dyson at Winter Sports has been amazing. He offered us great support and guidance when choosing my son's 10 week ski course. Sadly, we couldn't book the trip he wanted in Canada as Covid had closed the borders but Rik found us a BASI and Off-Piste course in Verbier which is coming up in 2 months and my son is so excited!.

We never would have found it without his help. Rik has been informative, very friendly and easy-going in his advice and has made us feel really welcome which I'm sure is the Winter Sports ethos - thanks so much for your time and care

Incredibly helpful and closely in contact throughout the entire pandemic, even with having to change locations and course types all help was provided showing us what to do and how to get the best deals.

Very good company, the course are just perfect. Thanks to them I have passed the best time ever!!
If we get any problem we can always have someone to speak with us and find out how to solve the problem. I have done the level 1 ski instructor + ski patrol course, it were excellent be back on skis and learn a few nice techniques before starting the ski patrol course. it were really nice to follow the ski patrollers during the day and to learn with them the patient evac, lift evac and learn to drive a toboggan. the course were quite intense for a few weeks but even if it was serious we always found something to laugh at. but the best thing is that thanks to that company i have found the best friends ever. I really recommend that company and the level 1 ski instructor+ ski patrol course!!

Hello Beautiful people!

As I'm sure you are aware, it has been a rough ride this year. It has felt at times like the whole world is collapsing around us, the tourism industry has certaintly been the industry hit the hardest by the litigation surrounding world health. This all being said, it did not intefere as largely as you may think.

I will break my review into three sections. Firstly the intial phone calls and assistance I was given by Rik and my experience surrounding that. Secondly, Wintersports' response to COVID and the range of alternatives and options they made to "counteract" the pandemic's industry interference. Thirdly the genrous price of these options.

Before I start I should point to the obvious, New Zealand is COVID free. If you can get a VISA you are all set, and I am sure that putting up with 14 days quarantine in New Zealand would far outweigh the lockdowns Europe has imposed.

At the start of last year, I made some intial contact with Wintersports, I was feeling a little bit like my life was going in circles, that strucutral engineering wasn't for me... Probably just like you, I envisioned being surrounded by friends in Canada or France, and putting aside the corporate rat race. These where by far some of the most interesting and insightful conversations I have ever had. Rik is a smart and intelligent man, he is humble about it though so don't worry. He was quick to give me a list of about 5 options in Canada, being careful to explain each of the advantages and disadvantages they entail. One key thing I remember being told was that Hidden Valley (One of the resorts listed in Canada) was a perfect destination to start for a less experienced snowboarder, and that many people would start a "Van life" sort of life style after their internships at Hidden Valley. This was the enticing part for me, and Wintersports also garunteed that I would first be trained for 8 weeks at Sun Peaks Resort before I moved to the less "touristy" and more "country" vibe of Hidden Valley. Of course as an Australian, I usually do better in a small crowd. To conclude, if you have read this far I recommend one thing, make the phone call, you will be given far more options than the ones displayed on the website, and Rik will be happy to explain the positives and negatives of everyone of those options.

tldr; phone conversations are fun.

Secondly, is wintersports' reponse to the pandemic. Of course after I made my intial decision, there was that stage of limbo that we all felt in Febuary/March of 2020. Again, have no fear... Although I didn't get to go to Hidden Valley because Canada halted visa's, Wintersports (in particular Rik the current owner) was able to come up with at least 5 alternatives in countries where Visa's where being accepted (this was early March 2020 remember). These included internships in Sweden (or was it Switerzland, I'm sorry Rik!!), Japan and some more options in Canada and New Zealand.

Thirdly, you may be thinking of the price. Well for starters, this company was far cheaper than EA was in almost every way. For a company that was willing to train me and simultaneously feed me I would say the price if very fair. Remember also, these are first world problems, I'm sure if you are on this website, then you have are either studying and have just saved, or you have a reasonable quality of life. Also, if worst comes to worst, you will get 100% of your money back anyway, if COVID interferes and overwrites your plans.

You will remember this experience for the rest of your life, and as a trained snowboard instructor this is just the beginning.

I went to Panorama Resort with the Winter Sports Company and had the time of my life. Met wonderful new friends in a fantastic environment all whilst participating in great training and getting an instructor qualification. Winter Sports took the best care of us whilst out there and were consistently friendly through any problems to not only myself but my family’s questions aswell. I hope to keep in contact with the company in the future. Definitely would recommend!!

I enjoyed an amazing service from the winter sports company! I will totally try to come to Canada with them again. They were always there when I had any questions and took a lot of time to go through all information with me.
I can totally recommend them.

The only thing I can say about the WSC is that going to Canada was the best choice I made in my live so far, I flew out to Calgary and ended in Panorama meeting some amazing people which I can call my friends now a day, I had the greatest time ever on the mountains improving my snowboarding skills and becoming a CASI level 1 instructor. Everything was just perfect from the instructors like Josh, Laura and Sam, our representative Jari and the organization of Rik and Emma. Due to Covid-19 we had to leave Canada 2 weeks before we’ve planned but Rik and Emma did absolutely everything they could to make sure everyone arrived home safely.To resume my time in Canada with the WSC i can only say that I’m very grateful that I’ve met such amazing people and that thanks to them I’ve leves this experience. Once again,
Thanks you Rik, Emma and the whole WSC team.
Big hugs
Robin.

Thank goodness that my daughter chose to do her ski instructors course through Winter Sports. They answered every single question right from the first contact which filled us with confidence in their abilities to not only deliver on the course but also offering great pastoral care.

Life can often throw a curve ball when you least expect it and one week into her 11 week course she had a “life changing” skiing accident. Rik (the director) and Emma were amazing, from making a very difficult telephone call to calming and navigating two distressed parents. Rik was incredible and dropped everything, hired a car and drove to Kelowna Hospital to be by our daughter’s side until I was able to fly out. He supported her through various operations and procedures keeping us updated throughout. Emma navigated the insurance company literature and advised us. Rik was there to collect me from the airport, he had arranged accommodation and even cooked dinner! The care and compassion was unparalleled and genuine.

Even in one week our daughter met some amazing people on her course who kept in touch and pulled her through some dark times in hospital. That initial week had been memorable and fun from the instructors to the friends she made. Rik and Emma continue to check in to see how she is doing. She would like to ski again and would only consider using Winter Sports because whatever happens we all know they will be there through any crisis. We will always be indebted to Rik who looked after our daughter like she was his own until we could be there to take back the reigns.

Winter sports have arranged placements for both of our sons in Canada, one in Panorama a few years ago and one in Sun Peaks this year. Both did that early training and then the internship which works really well because you get to teach and apply the skills you've learnt. They were really helpful for both but were really brilliant when Covid hit this year. Rik and Emma arranged flights back as soon as it looked like Canada was going to lock down and by the time the resort shut, our son already had a flight out. Emma was also brilliant at reassuring a slightly anxious mother that they were on the case! So if you want to do a ski season, but have the back up of someone supporting you, Winter sports are the company to go to.

I travelled with Winter Sports to do an internship in Sun Peaks and train towards gaining my Level 3. From the very start from sorting out Visa's to the unfortunate abrupt end to the season due to Covid, I cannot recommend Winter Sports enough.

My staff accommodation was not available on arrival but the team quickly sorted the problem and Winter Sports put us back into a hotel until the resort had sorted it, even though this was not their fault. Rob was always there with a helping hand, letting me use his address to post out a new mobile phone (when I lost it on the mountain) and helping sort out the payment for my CADS course when my card would not go through. Nothing was too much trouble. The team also arranged for us to be out of the resort and back to the UK pre-lockdown without a hitch.

If you are in two minds and haven't decided whether you want to do this, I can tell you it will be the best experience of your life. I have applied to go back to Sun Peaks for this coming season to teach. Many thanks to Rik, Emma, Rob and Beth, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Winter Sports and wouldn't hesitate to book with you again in the future.

Lewis King

From a young age I’d always dreamed of becoming a snowboard instructor. Through the courses offered by Winter Sports Company and the support provided by the staff, I have been able to live out that dream. Although I’ve only completed one season, it will not end with just one, and as soon as I intend to get back on the mountains, they will be the first to know.

These guys offer great courses and an epic experience and I will 100% be booking with them in the future. If you are considering the idea or ‘shopping around’ look no further than Rik & Emma and the rest of the Winter Sports Company team. You’ll make some quality mates and amazing memories.

Excellent service, excellent communication, excellent everything. Would highly recommend going with the WSC if you’re looking to change your life, or just looking for a super fun gap year!

I went on the Snowboard Instructor Internship programme with WSC at Panorama, BC. The whole season, although cut short by COVID-19 (which also prevented us from taking our Level 2 Exam), was a truly great experience I will never forget. I enjoyed it so much that I’m returning to Panorama for a second winter.

The WSC team is small and very friendly, and has strong links with the resort, so we were warmly welcomed by the staff there, especially by the senior instructors who would be training us. The training was excellent and we really felt like we were being taught by expert instructors, so we all progressed very quickly so that when we passed Level 1 it was not daunting to start working before Christmas.

I met so many great people and made loads of amazing friends, both with other WSC interns and with other staff members. We snowboarded (or skied) together every single day, whether we were working or not, and hung out every night in the resort or in Invermere.

I loved the close-knit feel Panorama has because of how small it is (in terms of number of people). That also means lift lines are non-existent. Despite that, the skiable terrain is huge, and really varied, with loads of challenging runs and so many amazing lines to explore in Taynton Bowl. It’s also one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever been to.

I’d highly recommend this programme to any intermediate skier or snowboarder who wants to spend a brilliant season instructing, or who wants to get their foot in the door to start a career in the industry.

In November 2019 I headed over to Panorama, BC with the Winter Sports Company. I completed my level 1 qualification and went on to work in the resort for the remainder of the season. If it wasn't for the covid-19 pandemic I would still be in Canada living the dream life.

Winter Sports made it possible for me to do this. Right from meeting us all at London airport all the way until our level 1 exams Rik and co were with us answering all of our questions and sorting out any queries we had.
Even after they went home they still had everything organised for us and still sorted out any problems we had.

When the resorts shut due to the coronavirus, Rik and his team had flights booked and we were home within 3 days. I couldn't speak more highly of how helpful and organised the Winter Sports Company were and how clear the communication was between not only me but my parents too.

In short the winter sports company provided me the best trip of my life and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

I did the Level 1 and Ski Patrol course and had an amazing time. Emma and Rik organised an absolutely banging 11 weeks for our group. They sorted all my flights and made sure I had all the info I needed. Unfortunately, our season was cut short from COVID-19 but they promptly organised our journey home. Jari, our resort rep was a great guy to hang out with, super friendly and knew lots about the area and what there was to do. Not only were they super helpful throughout the time I spent in Canada but they've continued to message me in the months post returning home to check up. Would recommend to anyone time and time again! Thank you winter sports!