FAQ

Here is a list of the most frequent questions that we're asked.

What are the accommodations like?

We have two types of accommodations: Our Core houses and home stay.
The Core houses are comfortable houses within Whistler. They are all fully furnished right up to the linens and towels. The Core houses are based on two riders per room. Riders are responsible for their own meals at the Core houses.
The home stay accommodations are private and shared rooms within the homes of cool, local Whistler families. It’s a great Canadian experience. All meals are included at the home stays. Riders under 18 will stay with a home stay for supervision purposes. Riders under 18 may stay at a Core house with parental consent.

How do I get from the airport to Whistler?

We arrange for you door to door service with Perimeter Express Co. Shortly after you send us your flight details, we email you your bus voucher, confirmation number and details. A driver will be waiting with a clear sign at the international and/or domestic arrivals lounge of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and then take you to your Core Camp accommodation in Whistler. Buses leave every two hours from early morning to midnight. It’s a pretty smooth and comfortable process. Return transportation is also included.

How is coaching organized?

Riders snowboard with others and a coach in small groups averaging 4:1. This ensures lots of personal coaching. You will ride in groups of a similar level. All coaches are Canadian Pros with lots of coaching experience and certifications. The coaches are here to help you improve, take you to the secret spots and have great times on the mountains.

What ability do I need to be?

Abilities range from novice to aspiring pros. We have groups for every level of rider. If you can snowboard confidently on beginner runs then you are ready for our camps. We recommend you have at least 4~5 days of snowboarding experience before the first day of camps. If you’d like to join and have never snowboarded before, custom packages are available on request.

Where will we ride on the mountains?

Everywhere. If you haven’t ridden Whistler-Blackcomb before, you will be amazed by the variety of terrain that the biggest resort in North America has. If you’ve ridden here before, get ready to re-discover the mountains. We ride the best spots. Powder, trees, cruisers, parks, pipes, hit runs, glades, controlled backcountry etc. Where we ride depends on the weather and snow conditions of the day.

Are helmets mandatory?

Helmets are not mandatory but are very strongly recommended. If you have a helmet, please bring it and wear it, or use one from the camps. With PRO-TEC as our protective gear supplier, all riders have free use of a wide range of PRO-TEC helmets and protective equipment while shredding at the camps.

Do I need a passport and visa?

If you are visiting from another country then yes, you will need a passport to come to Canada.
For almost all countries, obtaining special visas is not necessary. Canadian Immigration issues six month visitor visas when you arrive. To check about your country please check - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

Do I need medical insurance?

Yes, you are required to have travel (medical) insurance to join the camps. If you extend your camps while you’re here, we can arrange extended medial coverage for you. If you do get hurt, Whistler-Blackcomb's ski and snowboard Patrollers are the best in the world. Whistler has an excellent hospital and physiotherapy clinics to help you recover quickly.

What should I bring?

Please bring all of your usual snowboard gear. It is possible to buy all kinds of snowboard gear in Whistler. There are lots of shops with all the brands. There are some amazing deals on gear through out the season as well. We've set up some deep discounts at a few local snowboard shops for Core Camp riders.

Should I do training to get ready?

It’s a good idea to do some training before you come. A regular workout for your core muscles, lower body and basic stretching will help you a lot. Whistler’s runs are quite long so it’s also good to go snowboarding for a day or two before you’re here to get your legs ready.

What’s the Core Camps facility like?

The Core Camps campus is like your home away from home. Right in the heart of Whistler Village, our campus has a big comfortable lounge with a fireplace, computers with high speed internet, classrooms for snowboard seminars, heated storage space for your snowboards and boots, wax and tune-up gear for your boards, a kitchen and local staff you help you. Core Snowboard Camps shares their space with International House Whistler (an English Language School).

From what age can I join?

You can join the camps from 14 years old. Most of the Core riders are from their late teens to early thirties. For international riders under the age of 18, we will send you custodianship papers from your home stay to help you through immigration. Please try to contact us at least 4 weeks prior to complete the forms. There is a $100 fee for custodianship.

What’s a Typical Day like?

A typical day at the camp goes something like this:
8 ~ 8:30am: Meet at the school, warm up, stretch, gear up, and all walk to the gondola (200 meters).
9am ~ 3ish: Riding, coaching, floating, jumping, spinning, grabbing, jibbing, slashing, carving, hiking, improving, and having an amazing time.
At around 3pm arrive back at the school, get changed and relax.
4 ~ 5pm: Snowboard seminars (2 per week)
5pm onwards: Free time, social outings, gym, hot tub, night pipe & rails, indoor skate park, movies, shopping, pubs etc... or just relax.

If we haven’t answered your questions here, please e-mail us at info@corecamps.com