FAQ
Here’s a list of the most frequent questions that we’re asked
You can also call OR email your QUESTIONS – We’re happy to answer them!
Meals are not included. (On-mountain lunches for the Teen Camp are included).
There are supermarkets, restaurants, take-outs, coffee shops, bakeries (and much more) within walking distance of our main accommodation. Our accommodation kitchens are very well stocked for all of your cooking needs (pots, pans etc). There is a plethora of restaurants in town ranging from simple to extravagant. Very close you our main accommodation are cozy cafes, pizza, ramen, sushi and much more. We can recommend the hidden gems and places to food shop when you’re here. We have lots of reusable shopping bags for your to use.
Breakfasts are usually eaten at our accommodation, lunches are typically on-mountain with your group and dinners are a mix of (group) dinners in the village and cooking at our accommodation (our main accommodation has a beautiful gourmet kitchen).
Your accommodation with us starts and ends on a Saturday. So Saturdays are the main days to arrive and depart YVR (Vancouver International Airport). We use a great local airport transfer company called Whistler Connection. It’s a wonderful door to door service. The vehicles depart the airport and Whistler approx every 1.5 hours (everyday). We can also arrange your transfer to and from downtown Vancouver, if you’ll be there before or after your camp with us.
ARRIVAL FLIGHT– Anytime of day, from early morning to 10pm. Your scheduled arrival time needs to be before 10pm (for the last bus).
DEPARTURE – Please make sure your flight departs after 9am. The first bus leaves Whistler at 4:30am and arrives at the airport at approx. 7am.
If your only option is a flight before 9am, we can arrange your transfer for Friday night, so you can stay at an airport hotel.
Airport location – Before you arrive, we send you a very detailed PDF with photos and phone numbers etc, showing you exactly where the Whistler Connection check-in desk is. We give them all of your details (Name, flight number, arrival time etc) so they can track your flight.
Mid week – If you’re arriving to Vancouver early or staying in Whistler later, we can arrange your bus transfer any day of the week.
Unused transfers – We don’t issue refunds for unused transfers.
Our accommodation is shared and is two per room (a couple of rooms with ensuites have 3 beds).
You may get lucky and get a private room with us if we’re less than 100% full for your week(s). It happens sometimes.
Your like-minded roommate will be of the same gender and we do well at placing you with someone of a similar age.
Honestly, you won’t spend much time in your room. You’ll busy in Whistler and with us and the rooms are simply for sleeping.
In our clients’ experiences, like-minded roommates often become good friends, stay in touch after camp and sometimes visit each other in the future.
Joining us with your partner or friend? You can request to share a room together.
It has 4 shared bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen for all cooking needs, WIFI, all furnishings, bedding, bath towels, laundry machines etc.
Our Premium accommodation is a large, luxury style log house.The house is a 5 minute walk to everything in Whistler Village. This house is offered for a supplement. It’s an excellent location and a beautiful house.It has 6 shared bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, 2 fully equipped kitchens, 2 living rooms, a large hot tub on the balcony, WIFI, fully furnished, bedding, bath towels laundry machines and much more.
They’re comfortable and relaxing places to unwind after each big day on the mountain.
They’re an inclusive atmosphere for our campers to relax, eat, get to know others from around the world, soak in the hot tub etc.
Our accommodations also include ski/snowboard storage, boot dryers, a wax / tuning bench for your skis & snowboards, yoga mats, massage guns, card games, big screen TVs and much more.
Your camp accommodation starts on a Saturday and finishes on a Saturday.
So you should plan your arrival and departure on Saturdays.
Your on-mountain camp days with your coach(es) are:
Monday to Friday (Custom, Premier and Teen Camps)
Sunday to Friday (Beginner~Advanced Ski Camps) **
Sunday to Friday (Beginner~Novice Snowboard Camps) **
** If you plan to arrive very late on Saturday, we can change your first coaching day to Monday. This will give youa good sleep, less jet lag etc.
We send you the simple, detailed schedule of your camp shorty after you register and we’re happy to answer all of your questions.
That’s the golden question. Honestly, all of the winter months here are very good. The ski season here is 6 months! We consistently have 4 to 5 solid months of good snow right from the beginning of December to early April. We can get powder days until mid April. There is no particular powder month or sunny month either – they’re all powder months.
Traditionally and from the long term stats, December and March are typically the snowiest months.
Please have a look at Whistler’s very impressive monthly snowfall stats here.
Whistler Blackcomb is snow blessed with an average of 11.64 metres / 458 inches / 38.2 ft per year.
Our Ski Camps, Beginner-Novice Snowboard Camps and Teen Camps are full days of coaching.
Our Premier Snowboard Camp program is half days of coaching. You’re free to ride the other half of the day with others in camp.
They’re half days because, in our experience, half days in this program are more than enough for our riders.
The combination of adventurous riding and improving with your coaches, lift line priority (no waiting in line), high speed lifts, long runs, huge terrain, the creative ways we ride these mountains together and the fact that we can get in lots of runs in a half day etc – all means that half days are more than enough for our riders.
Yes, your camp will be cheaper.
If you already have an Epic Pass, lit pass, etc, then our Camps will be less for you.
For Premier Camps:
We subtract $350 from your 1 week camp, $700 off your 2 week camp or $1050 off 3+ week camps.
For our other Camps:
(Teen Camps, Beginner & Novice Snowboard Camps, Beginner to Advanced Ski Camps) – we subtract $200 from each camp week.
There is plenty of staff supervision in our accommodations.
Our housing provides a warm, relaxing atmosphere. It’s a family atmosphere with other like minded teens and adults from around the world. They’re for relaxing after big ski days, socializing, eating, sleeping, watching movies and making new friends from around the world.
Whistler Village is only a few minutes walk from our main accommodation. Whistler Village is very safe for teens to walk around in the afternoons and evenings. There are plenty of stores, gift shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, take-outs etc to keep our teens well fed and entertained.
Plus, full days of skiing / snowboarding are quite tiring, so all of our campers tend to go to sleep early.
We are a ski and snowboard camp, not a party camp.
As a parent of teenagers myself, I (Turner) do understand the importance. I’m also available for contact 24 hours a day in the winter.
You will need travel/medical insurance while visiting Canada and while in our camp.
You can check the World Nomads (Explorer Package, and add skiing/snowboarding). Or check with your local travel insurance provider.
We very strongly recommend that all Core Camp participants have Trip Interruption/Cancellation insurance as part of their insurance.
This can protect you in case you have to cancel or if you cannot finish your camp.
Trip Interruption/Cancellation is easy to purchase with most plans and is good peace of mind.
As of October 1, 2022, Canada has ended vaccination requirements for all travelers, regardless of citizenship.
This also includes an end to random testing at airports. Masks are no longer required on planes, trains and automobiles.
It’s never been easier to travel to Canada and were so stoked to welcome you back!
Please email me, Turner (Camp owner) with any questions at all
Our full package (Premier Snowboard Camp) package is an additional $150/week during the 3 week December holidays (December 14 to January 5). Whistler Resort significantly increases many of our operating costs over the holiday period. Because of this, we have to change our prices slightly for these weeks. We don’t like having to implement this rate, however we have little choice as Whistler keeps increasing their holiday prices. Thank you very much for understanding.
Please note: with hotels costing approx. $600+/night over the December holidays, our camps are very good value.
Yes, all participants/members/guests are required sign the waiver as a condition of registration and
participation. Click here to review the waiver.
Premier and Custom Snowboard Camp – are half days of snowboard instruction each day. The other half of the day is free for riding.
Beginner ~ Novice Snowboard Camp – are full days of snowboard instruction, from 9:45am to approx 3pm each day.
Beginner ~ Advanced Ski Camp – are full days of ski instruction, from 9:45am to approx 3pm each day.
Teen Ski / Snowboard Camp – are full days of ski or snowboard instruction, from 9am to 3pm each day.
Everywhere. Get ready to be spoiled! If you’re new to Whistler-Blackcomb then you’ll be amazed by the variety of terrain that the biggest resort in North America has. If you’ve been snowboarding here before, get ready to re-discover the mountains completely. We snowboard the best spots and our secret spots. Powder, trees, cruisers, terrain parks, natural freestyle runs, steeps, glades, controlled backcountry and so much more..! Where we go and the runs we do depends on the weather and snow conditions of the day. Our coaches choose the best runs and places given each day’s weather and conditions.
YES! That’s why we’re here and what we do for you! We’ll help you fully improve your riding and build your confidence in all types of fun and challenging terrain. You’ll improve in more ways that you would think possible. When you add up the unique and endless types of terrain here with lots of powder days, expert coaching, instant and continuous feedback, coaches’ intimate mountain knowledge, everyone pushing each other to be their best etc, this equals total improvement!
We take you from hesitant to hero..!
No. They’re always in separate groups.
Snowboarders are with snowboard coaches and skiers are with ski coaches.
Yes. It will definitely help. We highly recommend doing some sort of ski and snowboard exercises before your camp with us. A certain level of cardiovascular fitness and strength is needed if you want to make the most out of every day on the slopes. There are several exercises that you can do to strengthen up your body. Your main lower body focus should be on your quads, glutes/hamstrings and calves, however a strong core is also quite important. You will be fit when you arrive instead of out of breath and sore muscles. These following links are just two of many winter workouts out there. They are recommendations and not mandatory.
- Winter Snowboard Workout – A good video with several snowboard specific exercises to get you pumped.
- Winter Ski Workout – A good video with many ski specific exercises to get you ready.
Yes. While we’re not asked this very often, it is important to know that you can bring your own lunch up in a backpack. We’ll show you where to hang it up. You’re allowed to eat your own lunch in the main on-mountains restaurants. There is also free water at each restaurant (no need to buy bottled water) and a couple of the restaurants even have microwaves you can use to heat your food. Nice.
Just kidding – no one’s ever asked that question. We don’t have Gorby Gaps and we’ll explain that and other local mountain lingo when you arrive. 100 Core points if you know what a Gorby Gap is before you arrive…!
No need to worry or wonder. We’re the cool camp!
Ok, no one has actually asked that question, but a few campers told us (when at camp) that they wondered about this before arriving.
Picture this – everyone with us is on vacation and doing what they love to do – skiing and snowboarding! So everyone’s in good mood, relaxed and at their happiest. Camp brings out the best in everyone.
Your housemates will be awesome, your new best friends, or maybe even your new holiday romance (there have been many dates, couples formed and 8 marriages from people first meeting at Core Camp..!).
YES, you can us join us! We have well packaged Beginner and Novice Ski and Snowboard Camps which include everything.
We’ll help you build a strong foundation of skills with fun and patient coaches who’ll get you turning with confidence and loving your new sport.
Here are the full details of our Beginner and Novice Ski and Snowboard Camps.
Yes and yes. Whistler is a very compact town and everything’s quite close. There are supermarkets, restaurants, take-outs, coffee shops, bakeries (and much more) within walking distance of our main accommodation. Our accommodation kitchens are fully supplied for all of your cooking needs (pots, plan etc). There is a plethora of restaurants in town ranging from simple to extravagant. Very close you our main accommodation are cozy cafes, pizza, ramen, sushi and much more. We can recommend the hidden gems when you’re here.
Posted at our accommodations are lists of our recommendations for all types of places to eat in town – cheap, mid and fancy.
These are some of our favorite local spots. Ask your coaches and Core staff when you’re here. We got you covered.
There are also supermarkets town and our accommodation kitchens are set up for all of your cooking needs.
There are loads of simple take-away places in town and many delivery options right to the front door of our accommodations too.
On average, $40-$50 per day should be plenty. There is something here for every budget and taste. You can easily stay under that amount if you cook at home and/or visit the cheaper restaurants/cafes. There are supermarkets very close by. You can also go over that amount easily if you want to live it up each day. Hung up here are lists of several cheap, mid and fancy restaurants recommendations.
We do something exciting and different with you everyday while working on your goals. It’s all about helping you improve, building confidence and enjoying riding these great mountains. We adapt to the weather and snow conditions and we use all the different terrain and areas of of the mountains. Safely and consistently we keep pushed, doing new things, getting you out of your comfort zone and building your skills. There is no set daily schedule.
If you are visiting from another country then yes, you will need a valid passport to come to Canada.
Most travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete.
For most countries, obtaining special visas is not necessary. Canadian Immigration issues six month visitor visas when you arrive. To check about your country please check here.
If you need to apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada, we can send you a Core Camp Letter of Acceptance to help you with your visa application.
No. We are a Ski and Snowboard Camp, not a party camp. Our accommodations are for relaxing, not partying, and our clients really appreciate this fact. The majority of people in our camps are a mix 20s, 30s and 40s (with some 50+ and some teens).
Also, since everyone is tired from each big day of riding, everyone is usually in bed early and getting rest for another epic day ahead. Our accommodation is for relaxing and Whistler Village is for partying. Celebrating is done in Whistler Village on a Friday or Saturday night.
No. Skiers and Snowboarders of all ages join us and the mix of ages makes it a lot more fun.
Most people who join us are in their 20s, 30s and 40s as well as some 50s and 60s and some teens (Teens are in teen aged groups on mountain).
We’re all here together because of our love of skiing and snowboarding. Age is the last thing we’re thinking about while we’re living the dream on and off the mountains.
If age concerns you, then you can ask us. We can let you know the approx ages of the others in camp for your particular week(s).
Yes, you can arrive in Whistler any day of the week, however you’ll need to make your own accommodation arrangements until Saturday. Your Camp accommodation will begin on Saturday. On request, we can send you a list of Whistler hostels, lodges, B&B’s and hotels. We can also arrange your door-to-door airport transfer(s) to drop you off at any Whistler address if you’re arriving early and/or staying later.
Occasionally, we may have a extra spot in our accommodation if you’re arriving a day or early and/or staying days later. Please check with us.
Buying here is a good idea. Prices here are in CAD bad are typically lower priced than overseas + we can help you with local shop discounts.
Demoing or ‘Try before you buy’ is the absolute best way to know that you’re getting the right gear. There are some shops in town which offer many of the same brands and models for rent and for sale. You can rent skis/snowboard, change it each day (to try different ones) and the shop will subtract up to two days of your rental price off of the purchase price of the new gear. Many of our campers do this. There are also Demo centers on each mountain top where you can try lots to brands and styles which they sell new in the shops in town.
From absolutely every part of the world. We have snowboarders joining us from all over North America, all over Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, East and central Asia and from some far-off places we had to double check on google maps…
Our prices are in Canadian Dollars which is good news for those of you from other countries. The Canadian dollar is quite weak right now against nearly all countries around the world so please take advantage of it while you can.
You can join our camps from 15 to 60+ years of age. There is a big mix of ages in our camps. We have both adult (19+ years) and teen (15~18 years) Ski and Snowboard Camps camps. The majority of skiers and snowboarder who join us are in thier 20s, 30s, and 40s. Also some teens and 50+. The mix of ages in camp actually is quite a positive aspect of camp. Everyone gets along really well, campers help each other out and the social part of camp is an all ages atmosphere.
It’s a very good idea to do some training before you come. We recommend you do a mix of cardio and core training before you start skiing or snowboarding with us.
A regular workout for your core muscles, lower body and basic stretching will help you a lot. Whistler’s on-piste and off-piste runs are quite long. It’s also good to skiing or snowboarding for a day or two before you come to Whistler (or on your first Sunday here) to get your muscles ready.
Winter Snowboard Workout – Here’s a good video with several snowboard specific exercises to get you pumped.
Winter Ski Workout – Here’s a good video with many ski specific exercises to get you ready.
1 week camp – Your 5 day lift pass starts on Monday (with an option to add days)
2 week camp – Your 12 of 14 day lift pass starts on Sunday (with an option to add days)
3+ week camp – Your included season pass can be use all season before, during and after your camp.
Already have a pass? We can subtract the pass which makes your camp cheaper!
Please bring all of your usual ski or snowboard gear. It’s also possible to buy or rent gear when you’re here. We’ve set up some good discounts (retail and rental) for you at some local ski and snowboard shops. The shops have all of the top brands for renting and buying. There are also some demo options in town (try before you buy) which definitely helps. Teen and Beginner/Novice Camps do include gear rental.
Yes, helmets are mandatory. If you have a helmet, please bring it and wear it.
You can also rent them in town – we have discount rental cards for you. Bring your goggles with you if you decide to rent a helmet to ensure the right fit. We’ll explain a proper fit when you’re here. We help to ensure no Gorby gaps. We’ll explain that word here too.
Everywhere. Get ready to be spoiled! If you’re new to Whistler-Blackcomb then you’ll be amazed by the variety of terrain that the biggest resort in North America has. If you’ve been skiing here before, get ready to re-discover the mountains completely. We ski the best spots and our secret spots. Powder, trees, cruisers, terrain parks, natural freestyle runs, steeps, glades, controlled backcountry and so much more..! Where we go and the runs we do depends on the weather and snow conditions of the day. Our coaches choose the best runs and places given each day’s weather and conditions.
Funny, personable and very knowledgeable (to name a few). Our coaches are a very big reason of our high campers return rate. We have wonderful coaches and our campers strongly agree in their reviews. The right coach makes all the difference to your winter camp experience, which is why we’ve hand picked an all-star cast of experienced and certified coaches. They are all fully certified with many years of coaching experience, are long time locals with intimate knowledge of Whistler-Blackcomb and its sweet-spots and have larger-than-life personalities.
Our passion for coaching and dedication to helping you improve is obvious and you’ll understand when you start skiing or snowboarding with them. You’ll be skiing and snowboarding and enjoying your days on these mountains with the best coaches in the business! And the chairlift chats are also entertaining..!
- Snowboard Freeride Camp – You’ll be with your coach(es) from either 9am to noon or 12:30 to 3:30 each week. We typically have our level 5~6 snowboarders in our morning groups and our level 4~4+ snowboarders in our afternoon groups.
For the other half of your day on-mountain, you’re free to go riding with some of the others in camp, work on your skills, cruise or rest. - Snowboard Freestyle Camp – is from 12:30 to 3:30 (offered for several weeks through the winter).
- Beginner and Novice Snowboard Camp – are full days of snowboard instruction, from 9:30am to 3pm each day.
- Teen Snowboard Camp – is full days of snowboard instruction, from 9am to 3pm each day.
You’ll be skiing or snowboarding with others and a coach in small groups (of a similar level) averaging 4:1. This ensures plenty of personal coaching. Our absolute max ratio is 6:1, however we aim to keep it to an average of 4:1 for our Premier and Custom Camps.
Our Beginner and Novice Ski and Snowboard Camps have a max ratio of 4:1.
A typical day in our camp goes something like this:
8 ~ 8:30am: (Morning Groups) meet at our campus in Whistler Village. Grab your gear from our storage room, gear up, then we all walk to the gondolas (200 meters).
9am ~ Noon: (Morning Freeride Groups) – Improving on-piste and off-piste with our coaches (powder, carving, trees, technique, freestyle, more powder and so much more) and having an amazing time!
Noon ~ 12:30pm: On-mountain lunch (buy it or bring your own)
12:30pm ~ 3:30pm: (Afternoon Freeride Groups / Freestyle Groups) Improving on-piste and off-piste with our coaches. Campers from the Morning Freeride Groups have free time to ski and snowboard in the afternoons.
4pm onwards: Free time, group outings, group dinners, hot-tub soaking, apres, movie nights, ice skating, shopping, or just relax. Lots of options…
4 ~ 5pm: Snowboard Waxing & tuning clinic every Tuesday
4 ~ 5pm: Video Analysis every Wednesday
Welcome Night every Monday – Grad Night every Friday
7am: wake up and do it all again because you’re living the dream..!
A very big part of Core Camps are your new friends from around the world! You’ll meet and start hanging out with everyone in camp shortly after arriving – it’s pretty much a given. Campers make life-long friends, new friendships, maybe a new romance… Campers consistently post photos of meeting up with other campers all around the world. You’ll have friends to visit all around the world after camp.
The relationship side of Core Camps – Some guys and girls who meet in camp end up dating in Whistler, dating in their home countries and even getting married!. We seem to be an unofficial match making service. At least six couples (and counting) who originally met at camp have gotten married..!
90% campers come to the camp on their own. Couples and friends also join us together. 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 living with and hanging out with other like-minded riders from all around the world.
A big part of camp is making relationships and new friends form around the world! If you’d like to come camp with a friend or partner, that’s great. Just let us know if you’d like to be in the same room and we’ll make it happen.
Skiers and snowboarders from 15 to 50+ are more than welcome at Core Camps. In our 20+ years of operation, the mix of ages makes our camps makes it way more fun for everyone. The majority of our campers are between the ages of 17~40 with most of them being in their 20s and 30s. When you’re in the middle of a fresh powder run with your group, age is the last thing on our minds. We also have a Teen Camp for 15~18 years olds. We do our best to match you up with a roommate of a similar age.
Included in our Premier Package Camp, we arrange for you door-to-door service with a very professional private bus service. Shortly after you send us your flight details, we’ll email you your simple and detailed pick up info. A bus company staff member will be waiting for you at the international (or domestic) arrivals lounge of Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You will have their phone number too. Buses leave roughly every 1.5 hours from early morning to 11pm.
Please book your flights to arrive before 11pm and to depart after 7am. We’ll send you more details after you’ve registered.
Staying in Vancouver before or after your camp? We can easily arrange your bus to pick you up and/or drop you off at one of several downtown Vancouver hotels.
If you’re in our Custom package camp, bus transfers are not included although we’re happy to send you the links to a couple of good local bus companies.
YES! That’s why we’re here and what we do for you! You’ll improve in more ways that you would think possible. We take you to the next level of your snowboarding and more – it’s what we do! When you add up the unique and endless types of terrain here with lots of powder days, expert coaching, instant and continuous feedback, our intimate mountain knowledge, video reviews, a stoked crew of new friends to snow board with, everyone pushing each other to be their best etc, this equals your complete snowboarding improvement.
Any level of skiing and snowboarding is fine to join us. From Beginner to Expert and every level in between..!
Please see our SNOWBOARD LEVEL CHART or our SKI LEVEL CHART to check your level – and let us know where you are.
Level 1 to 3 skiers and snowboarders will be in our Beginner, Novice and Teen Camps
Level 4 to 6 skiers and snowboarders will be in our Freeride, Freestyle and Teen Camps
Many campers join us for 2 to 4 weeks while many others are with us for 2, 3 or 4 months. Some campers only have one week available to join us which is great, however pretty much every camper here for one week says on their final Friday evening that they wished they had booked for longer or will book for longer next time. Many 1 week campers extend while they’re here – it’s possible. The longer you are with us, the more you’re improving, progressing and living the life!
A week, a month, a full season – we’ll make sure you have a completely amazing experience no matter how long you’re with us!
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