General questions:
- What's the
average age of the campers?
- How soon do you start to fill
up?
- Where do most of the campers
come from and how many are girls?
- What clothing should I pack?
- Do I have to bring my own skis?
- How do you compare to other
camps?
- Can parents attend the camp
too?
- How is the adult-only camp
different to the first 4 sessions?
On Hill:
- What level of
skier do you have to be to attend?
- What kind of weather/snow conditions
do you get in summer?
- How long does it take to get to
the glacier?
- Who will my coach be?
Off Hill:
- Where and what
do we eat?
- Do I have to pay for afternoon
activities and do I have to participate?
Rules/Supervision:
- How much are
the campers supervised?
- How do you deal with campers using
drugs, alcohol or smoking?
- What kind of safety precautions
do you take?
- What happens in the case of injury?
- Is there a curfew?
Money:
- How do I pay
for camp?
- What's included in the camp price?
- What's your cancellation policy?
- How much spending money should
I bring?
- Is it easy to exchange money?
- How do I send extra money to
my child?
Travel:
- What happens
when I arrive at the airport?
- What kind of ID do I need to
get into Canada?
- What arrangements should I make
for ‘unaccompanied minor'?
- What happens if I don't arrive
between 10am and 3pm or depart within the scheduled times?
- What happens if my flight is
delayed and I arrive after 3pm?
- How do I get to camp if I'm
driving?
- Can I bring my bike?
Hotel:
- Who will I
be rooming with and how many kids per room?
- How do I contact the hotel and
are there phones in the rooms?
- How far away are the lifts from
the hotel?
- What facilities are at the hotel?
What's the average age
of the campers?
During the 4 youth sessions we accept skiers starting at age 12, with the
average age being around 16. We do have skiers in their 20's attending these
sessions as well and the occasional 30+ year old. We sometimes accept younger
skiers but they must be accompanied by and stay with their parent(s) and
be independent enough to get to and from the mountain by themselves. Our
adult-only weeks see people from age 19 to 60+ with the average age being
in the 30's.
How soon do you start
to fill up?
Usually bookings start flowing in from January onwards and by early-March
the most popular sessions are booked up. Every year it seems to get earlier
so please call or email us to check availability and we can hold your spot
while your registration/deposit is in the mail. The spot is not 100% guaranteed
until we receive your $400 deposit/session.
Where do most of the campers
come from and how many are girls?
Campers come from all over North America, as well as a few internationals
from England, Australia, Mexico, Japan, Korea and South America. The ratio
of boys to girls is about 3:1.
What clothing should I
pack?
Weather in the mountains can change rapidly so be prepared for everything
from hot sunshine to heavy snow. You should include:
- waterproof skiwear + gloves (ideally a shell suit, with
layers underneath)
- full set of ski equipment
- helmet for terrain park skiing or off-axis/inverted mogul tricks (mandatory)
- backpack, water bottle, sunscreen,
- goggles and sunglasses
- swimwear, soccer cleats (optional)
- optional: water ramp gear (we provide wetsuit, helmet and skis - you use
your own boots, which dry overnight)
Please limit your bags to one ski bag and one clothing bag, plus a small backpack.
Do I have to bring my
own skis?
Yes - you can rent skis in Whistler if you don't have your own set. The
Salomon demo skis are for demo only and cannot be used on a full-time basis.
How do you compare to
other camps?
Momentum Ski Camps was the very first ski camp to offer Freeride/terrain
park coaching and has grown quietly and steadily every year through word
of mouth. We have a very high repeat rate and the largest skiing-only terrain
on the glacier.
Here are some points to
consider:
- We offer both mogul skiing and terrain park skiing, but no snowboarding.
- We offer a complete all-inclusive package, with a full daily program including
ALL meals, so that once you're at camp you don't have to worry about what
or where to eat!
- Our coaches are involved in the whole camp, from breakfast, to skiing,
to afternoon activities, dinner and evening activities and stay at the hotel
- you'll really get to know them!
- We pride ourselves on having the most experienced, excellent and enthusiastic
coaching crew on the glacier with a mix of top pros, Olympians, World Cup
skiers as well as veteran coaches/competitors and young guns who are currently
ripping on the circuit. Our coaching is very hands-on, one-on-one, rather
than just having coaches ‘post-up' - you've paid to improve your skiing
and our goal is to teach you quickly and safely.
- We offer in-depth video review to give you real one-on-one feedback with
your coach. You get to keep this record of your individual progress along
with coaches comments, as we burn this footage onto a DVD which is mailed
to you a few months after camp.
- We also offer expert water ramp instruction from CFSA qualified instructors
for those wanting to learn new trick,s as well as daily trampoline coaching
with qualified coaches.
- We offer a 'Competitive program' to give specialized advice/coaching to
those skiers who are serious about improving their competitive skiing. We
also offer special team deals to help coach both team skiers and their coaches
- contact us for details.
- We limit our camp size to ensure terrain is never crowded and you don't
get lost in the crowd!
To clarify some misrepresesentations
on other camp web sites:
- We have the largest skiing-only terrain on the glacier and the shortest
turnaround time on the glacier.
- We were the first camp to introduce new school features for skiers back
in 1996 before any other camp had even thought of building a 1/4 pipe for
skiers!
Can parents attend the
youth camp too?
We prefer not, as the youth-only camps (sessions 2-4) are geared for teenagers,
but if you're young at heart, or want to accompany your child, we have had
the odd parent attending in the past. We are now offering a youth Freeride
Session and Adult Mogul/Freeride/Hybrid camp in Session 1, so this would
be the best week to choose a camp to attend with your kids. Whistler is
a great location for a family vacation and parents can enjoy all the great
activities the resort has to offer, while their kids are busy at camp. We
can either book you into the same hotel ora nearby condo, or you can make
your own arrangements - there's plenty of accommodation nearby from luxury
hotels to more affordable condos. Please contact us for suggestions. We
encourage adults without kids to sign up for Sessions 1 or 5.
How is the adult-only
camp different to the 4 youth sessions?
We offer mogul,freeride or hybrid (3 days of each) instruction during Session
1, but only mogul instruction during session 5. The coach to skier ratio
is maximum 1:6 (often less). The average age is around 35 instead of 16;
we ski a little longer and don't have as many afternoon activities. Upgraded
dinners take a little longer. There is no supervision and evening socializing
in Whistler's nightspots is encouraged!
What level of skier do
you have to be to attend?
Moguls - we accept all levels of aspiring mogul skiers from people just
starting to ski bumps, to World Cup skiers. You should however be able to
make good parallel turns on the flats.
Freeride - we accept all levels of freeriders from people just starting
to take air or slide a rail, to those who can jump tabletops, quarter pipes
and flip.
What kind of weather/snow
conditions do you get in summer?
Expect everything from hot sunshine to fresh snow! On sunny days you can
see for miles and ski in a T-shirt; if the clouds roll in, be prepared for
fog, rain, hail or snow! It's essential that you wear plenty of sunscreen
whether it's sunny or cloudy as the ultra violet rays on the glacier are
harsh and you will burn really quickly. Also always wear your goggles or
sunglasses to protect your eyes. Snow conditions can be hard packed in early
morning if it's been a clear and frosty night, quickly warming up to soft,
forgiving slush by mid-morning. We use salt on our jumps and terrain features
to make sure they are in mint condition.
How long does it take
to get to the glacier?
You ride 2 high speed quads, take a short bus ride round to the final quad
and then ski down into the glacier. It takes about 45 minutes to ride to
the top and you'll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet,
including a bird's eye view of bears, most days.
Who will my coach be?
You get to work with almost all of our great coaches as we rotate the groups
each day. This is your chance to get to know the top pros and Olympians,
who will inspire you to make your skiing dreams come true.
Where and what do we eat?
Breakfast - all you can eat buffet with hot and cold foods, cereal, fruit,
yogurt etc.
On-hill juice break – lemonade, fruit and snack.
Lunch - all you can eat deli-style lunch at the top of the glacier.
Dinner - delicious dine-around at a different restaurant each night, all
a short walk from the hotel.
Do I have to pay for afternoon
activities and do I have to participate?
No - all scheduled afternoon and day-off activities are included in the
price. You do not have to take part in the activities but most people do
and it's a great way to get to know other campers, try something new and
see a little more of the Whistler area.
How much are the campers
supervised?
The campers are supervised throughout the day on the mountain and during
the afternoon and evening activities. During free times campers can walk
around the village, but under 19 yr olds have to be back in the hotel by
10:00pm. Whistler is a small, pedestrian village, so it's safe and easy
for campers to enjoy the atmosphere of the squares and cafes and get safely
back to the hotel, which is in the very centre of Whistler. Our staff and
camp directors stay in the hotel and do a room-check each night. We also
have a dedicated camp counsellor to help with supervision in the hotel as
well as our ops staff. We state the camp rules very clearly during our welcome
meetings and ask that campers respect them. This attitude of mutual respect
usually means everyone can have a good time without too much trouble!
How do you deal with campers
using drugs, alcohol or smoking?
We have a zero tolerance policy on drugs - campers will be sent home with
no refund. If campers under the legal drinking age (19 years) are found
drinking alcohol, we will contact their parents to discuss appropriate action.
We have staff on duty each night to check on campers and search rooms if
alcohol or drugs are suspected. There is a no-smoking policy in the hotel
and on the mountain.
What kind of safety precautions
do you take?
Like any action sport, freestyle and freeride skiing has inherent risks,
but we try to minimize these by using experienced staff and following a
strict policy of due diligence. Our staff is fully briefed on our operating
procedures and campers are told the camp and mountain rules and regulations
at our welcome meetings. We ensure that campers are well warmed up and stretched
before they start skiing with their coach and they ski in small supervised
groups with skiers of a similar ability, so that they learn at a comfortable
pace. We do not allow inverts on the first day and we only allow people
to flip once they have shown proven ability on the water ramp. Skiers wanting
to flip for the first time must first show their air sense on trampoline
and then qualify their jump on the water ramp before attempting it on snow.
Helmets are mandatory. We have a crew of staff who work to keep our terrain
in top condition, smoothing jumps, and ensuring the features are in good
shape before the skiers use them. Afternoon activities are fully supervised;
trampolining and water ramping are overseen by a qualified aerial coach.
Having said all that injuries can of course happen.
What happens in the case
of injury?
Blackcomb Mountain has fully trained ski patrollers up on the mountain,
who will safely transport you to Whistler's emergency clinic. There is also
a helicopter on call, at all times, in case of serious injury. Whistler
has plenty of excellent physiotherapists to help campers get over minor
injuries. A number of our staff are also qualified in First Aid. Once you
have registered for camp we will send you a medical release form, which
the clinic will need before they can treat anyone underage. You will have
to pay for treatment by credit card and can reclaim this later from your
insurance company. Campers must have their own travel and medical insurance,
which covers them for skiing. There are no camp refunds in the case of injury.
Is there a curfew?
Yes, campers under the age of 19 must be back in the hotel by 10pm. We then
conduct a room check to make sure everyone is accounted for.
How do I pay for camp?
We accept visa/mastercard, cheques, money orders or travelers cheques. We
require a $400 deposit per session, with a postdated cheque for the balance
dated 3 weeks prior to camp start or credit card authorization to charge
the balance on visa/mastercard. Note that credit cards will be charged in
$Cdn and are subject to the current exchange rate used by your credit card
company. Note that the $US exchange rate is extremely favorable at the moment!
What's included in the
camp price?
Full package includes everything, i.e. ALL meals, accommodation in a luxury
hotel in teh heart of Whistler, airport transfers, coaching, lift tickets,
afternoon and evening activities, Camp T-shirt, sponsor prizes, 1 year subscription
to Freeskier Magazine and personal DVD. Locals package includes everything
except food, accommodation and airport transfers. NOTE that airfare is NOT
INCLUDED and there is no food provided on travel days.
What's your cancellation
policy?
If you cancel in writing prior to May 1, 2009, $200 CDN is non-refundable.
If you cancel in writing after May 1, 2009 and up to a week prior to camp
start, $400 CDN is non-refundable. After this date and once camp has started,
there are no refunds whatsoever. Note that there will also be no refunds
if a camper is injured or required to go home for other reasons.
How much spending money
should I bring?
The camp price covers everything apart from food on travel days and airport
departure tax ($15 Cdn). So the only spending money you will need is for
extra snacks, souvenirs etc - it's up to you.
Is it easy to exchange
money?
Yes - there are currency exchange booths, banks, as well as ATM machines,
which accept US and some international bank cards and will give you Canadian
money.
How do I send extra money
to my child?
Funds can be wired through Western Union to a Money Mart Foreign Exchange,
right behind our hotel and funds are available within a few hours. Contact
us for details.
What happens when I arrive
at the airport?
We have members of staff at the airport to meet all arriving campers. We
are not allowed to meet flights at the gate, but will be waiting in the
arrivals area of the international terminal for all US and international
campers. Our meeting point is the Burger King Restaurant, which is on the
right hand side of the arrivals area. We'll have a Momentum Ski Camps sign
there and you'll probably see a bunch of luggage trolleys with skis and
know you've found us. We meet Canadian campers at the Domestic Terminal
at the top of the stairs in the middle of the Arrivals area, just in front
of the Tim Horton's. We ask you to book your flights to arrive and depart
as close to midday as possible. Busses usually leave at around 1pm and 3pm
with a sweeper van for late arrivals. Our staff have a cell phone at the
airport so you can call in case your flight is delayed or you can't find
us. The cell phone # is 604 905 8244.
What kind of ID do I need
to get into Canada?
All Americans now require a passport to fly to and from Canada. Please apply
for a passport as soon as possible if you do not yet have one.
What arrangements should
I make for ‘unaccompanied minor'?
Please check with your airline what their ‘unaccompanied minor' rules are.
You may have to pay an additional fee for airline staff to accompany your
child at either end of the journey. Note that Momentum staff are unable
to do this as we are busy meeting new arrivals on travel day. Please contact
us nearer the time for the name of our staff member who will be meeting
your child, as the airline will require this.
What happens if I don't
arrive between 10am and 3pm or depart within the scheduled times?
You will have to pay the transfer costs for either taking the public bus,
taxi or arranging a private shuttle. There is a regular express bus to Whistler,
which runs until 9:30pm and costs approx. $52 Cdn, Taxis will make the drive,
but are expensive at around $230 Cdn. Please contact us for further details.
What happens if my flight
is delayed and I arrive after 3pm?
We always have a sweeper minivan and staff member at the airport specifically
to wait for late arrivals. If however your flight is going to be extremely
delayed and we have other campers also waiting at the airport, we may book
you onto a public bus or arrange for a taxi. You will be responsible for
these extra costs. Please call us with your new arrival details on cell:
604 905 8244.
How do I get to camp if
I'm driving?
From Vancouver: find your way to Highway 99 and drive north to Squamish
and onwards to Whistler. We're about a 2 hour drive from downtown Vancouver
and 45 minutes from Squamish. Once you enter Whistler keep driving, you'll
pass through Whistler Creekside, past the subdivisions ‘Nordic Estates'
and ‘Brio' and then you'll arrive at the main village. Turn right off the
highway at the stop lights. Right at the next set of lightsand follow the
road round to the left. You'll see a small turning on the right and parking
infront of the Blackcomb Lodge. You can reach the hotel at 604 932 4155.
Can I bring my bike?
No - we do not have room for bikes on the bus, but you can ship it separately
if you really want to bring your own bike and are staying for more than
one session. Contact us for details.
Who will I be rooming
with and how many kids per room?
You can note on your registration form any friends you'd like to room with.
Youth campers will be sharing a 3 or 4 bed kitchen suite or loft. If you
don't know anyone at camp we will match you with a girl or boy of the same
age. Girls and boys do not room together.
How do I contact the hotel
and are there phones in the rooms?
Yes - you will need a credit card to open the line. You can contact your
child by calling the Blackcomb Lodge at Tel: 604 932 4155.
The hotel address is: Blackcomb Lodge, 4220 Gateway Drive, Whistler, BC,
VON 1B4, Canada.
How far away are the lifts
from the hotel?
The lifts are a short 5 minute walk from the hotel.
What facilities are at
the hotel?
The hotel offers an indoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi tub, TV, DVD,
telephone, hair dryers, washer/dryers, a full kitchen and all have en-suite
bathrooms.The Momentum office is located on the ground floor of the hotel
with camp information and clothing for sale.