FAQ

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

What’s the average age at the camps?

95% of our campers are between the ages of 17 - 34. If you’d like to get technical, the average camper age about 23 years old. The mix of ages makes the camps way more interesting. Whether you’re in the middle of a fresh powder run with your group or learning new tricks on a jump day, honestly, age is the last thing on our minds. Skiers from 15 to 40+ are more than welcome at Core Camps.

Do most campers come alone or with friends?

Most campers come to the camp on their own. But once you arrive in Whistler, you’ll be met by all of the other campers and be warmly welcomed into the camp family. From then on you’ll be hanging out with other like-minded skiers. If you’d like to come the camps with a friend, that’s cool too. Just let us know if you’d like to share a room with them and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

Which countries do campers come from?

From all over the globe - Mainly Europe, North America, Australia, South America, Asia etc.

Does my camp include weekend lift tickets?

Yes, for two and three week full package camps. One week camps include Monday to Friday lift tickets and you can request extra tickets before you arrive. Any camp 4 weeks or longer automatically includes an unlimited season pass. A season pass is valid from the day you arrive to mid June and gets you good discounts on and off the mountains.
You can request to upgrade your lift pass to a season pass if you plan on staying in Whistler longer. The breakdown:
One week camp –
5 day lift pass (Monday to Friday) with an option to add days.
Two week camp –
12 day lift pass (Monday to the next Friday) option to add days.
Three week camp –
19 day lift pass (Monday for 3 weeks) option to add days.
Four weeks+ camps –
Unlimited season pass to use all season before, during and after camp.

What are the accommodations like?

We have two types of accommodations: Our Core house and home stay.
1. The Core houses are comfortable camper houses in Whistler. They have all the amenities: fully furnished, full kitchen, wireless internet, cable TV and comfortable twin share rooms. Skiers are responsible for their own meals.
2. The home stay accommodations are private 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.

How do I get from the airport to Whistler?

We arrange for you door to door service with Pacific Coach Lines. Shortly after you send us your flight details, we email you your bus voucher, confirmation number, meeting area map 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 2 hours from early morning to 11pm. It’s a pretty smooth and comfortable process. Return transportation is also included. Airport transportation is not included in the Core's custom camps but can be arranged upon request.

How is coaching organized?

Skiers ride 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. You will often ride with more than one coach per week. All coaches are Canadian pros with lots of experience and all are certified. The coaches are all about helping you reach your goals and having a wicked time on the mountains.

What ability do I need to be?

Abilities range from novice to aspiring pros. We have groups for nearly every level of skier. If you can ski confidently on beginner runs then you are ready for our camps. We recommend you have at least 15 days of ski experience before the first day of camps. If you’d like to join and have never skied before (or only a few times), custom packages are available on request.

Where will we ski on the mountains?

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

Are helmets mandatory?

Yes, helmets are mandatory . 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 stylish PRO-TEC helmets and protective equipment while shredding at the camps.

Do you have summer camps too?

Core Camps is a winter and spring season snowboard camp, but our summer camp partner, Camp of Champions, is the sickest summer camp on the planet! For over 20 years now, COC has been offering the best summer ski, snowboard and mountain bike camp experience. They boast the largest private park in the world, great pro coaches, tones of after riding activities, free swag…there’s too much to list. Just check out their website for all the details – CAMP OF CHAMPIONS

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. We can also arrange medical insurance for you while you're here through StudentGuard at $2/day. It covers you for any type of medically related emergency on and off the mountains. It does not, however, cover you from trip interruption/cancellation or personal effects. If you do get hurt, Whistler-Blackcomb's ski and snowboard Patrolers 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 ski gear. It’s possible to buy all kinds of ski 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 can help you receive discounts and deals on the deals.

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 skiing for a day or two on your local mountains before you’re here to get your legs ready.

What’s the Core Camps facility like?

The Core school is like your home away from home. We have a big facility right in the middle of Whistler Village. Our place has computers with high speed internet, a big comfortable lounge, classrooms for snowboard seminars, heated storage space for your skis and boots, wax and tune-up gear for your skis, a kitchen and local staff you help you. Core Ski Camps shares their space with International House Whistler (an English School).

From what age can I join?

You can join the camps from 15 years old. Most of the Core skiers are from their mid teens to early thirties. For international skiers under the age of 18, we will send you custodianship papers so we can act as your legal guardian while you’re in Canada . Please contact us at least 4 weeks prior to complete the process. 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: : Skiing, coaching, jumping, spinning, grabbing, jibbing, slashing, carving, pushing your limits and having an amazing time.
At around 3pm arrive back at the school, get changed and chill out.
4 ~ 5pm: Ski 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