FAQ
Here’s a list of the most frequent questions that we’re asked
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.
The use of the ArriveCAN app is no longer mandatory.
It’s never been easier to travel to Canada and were so stoked to welcome you back!We still recommend wearing a mask when you travel here and we will be as diligent as ever for your comfort, health and safety at Core Camps.
Please email me, Turner (Camp owner) with any questions at all
Your teenage son/daughter will be looked after by one of a few wonderful local families. We have been working with our homestay families for several years now and they love hosting our campers. They provide a safe and comfortable family environment when our campers are at their homes. For the hours each day spent away from their host family house, they are either with their coach on mountain, strolling around Whistler Village with other campers or visiting other campers at our main accommodation in Whistler Village.
There is plenty of staff supervision at our main accommodation.
The house is the hub of camp and is a warm, relaxing and positive atmosphere. It’s a family atmosphere with other like minded teens and adults from around the world. The house is for relaxing after tiring ski days, socialize, to eat, watch movies and sleep. This is where friendships are made from around the world. Again, I cannot stress the fact that the house is a fun, family atmosphere.
Our teen campers are with our very caring adult coaches on the mountains.
In our Premier Camp programs, our teen campers are with their coaches for half of the day. (approx. 3 hours). For the other half of the day we ask our campers to pair or group up with each other for safety. We stress the importance to not ski alone.
We are a ski and snowboard camp, not a party camp. The legal age for alcohol consumption in BC is 19. This is the law.
In our 16+ years in operation, we’ve never had to remove anyone from camp regarding this. Everyone is respectful of law and policy.
As a parent myself, I do understand the importance. I’m also available for contact 24 hours/day in the winter.
Our full package camps are an additional $150/week during the 3 week December holidays (December 17 to January 7). 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. $500+/night over the December holidays, our camps are very good value.
Beginner ~ Advanced Ski Camp – are full days of ski instruction, from 9:45am to approx 3:30pm each day.
Teen Ski Camp – is full days of skiing 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! You’ll improve in more ways that you would think possible. Whistler’s Ski coaches take you to the next level of your skiing and more. 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 skiing improvement!
No. They’re always separate. Skiers are with ski coaches and snowboarders are with snowboard coaches.
The exceptions are:
- Our cat-skiing and cat-boarding days
- Our Backcountry Camp AST Level 1 Course (2 day weekend course)
- Our Backcountry Camp ski touring / split-boarding days
Yes. If you have a moment, please watch the movie GNAR (pronounced – nar) for some great comedy and so you can ‘call out’ your coach on the mountains. We may dabble in the game of G.N.A.R. when we on the mountains.
Also watch a few Arnold movies or look up some of his quotes. Turner likes to do Schwarzenegger impressions… “Get down, stay down. Get to da choppa…”
Yes, you can bring your own lunch up in a backpack and we’ll show you where to hang it up. You’re allowed to eat your own lunch in the main on-mountains restaurants too. There is also free water at each restaurant and some even have microwaves you can use.
Our accommodation is shared and is two per room (a couple of rooms with en-suites 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) with us… It happens some weeks.
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…!
Ok, no one has actually asked that question, but some of you have possibly wondered it.
No need to worry or wonder. We’re the cool camp!
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 house mates will be awesome, your new best friends, your new holiday romance etc.
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)
We send you simple, detailed schedule of your camp shorty after you register and we’re happy to answer all of your questions.
Yes and yes. Whistler is a very compact town and everything’s quite close. There are supermarkets and restaurants within walking distance of our accommodations. Our accommodation kitchens are fully supplied for all of your cooking needs. There is a plethora of restaurants in town ranging from simple to extravagant. Very close you our campus are cozy cafes, pizza, ramen, sushi and more. We can recommend the hidden gems when you’re here.
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.
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.
There is something here for every budget and taste. On average, $30-$50 per day should have you more than covered. You can easily stay under that amount if you cook at home and/or visit the cheaper restaurants. 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 know the good spots.
We do something exciting and different with you everyday while working on your goals. We adapt to the weather and snow conditions and we use all the different terrain and ares of of the mountains. Safely and consistently we keep pushed, doing new things and help to get you out of your comfort zone. There is no set daily schedule.
Freeride Snowboard Camp covers the whole mountains. We do a mix of absolutely everything, go everywhere and we favor the fun runs (known and secret) depending on each day’s new snow and weather.
Freestyle Snowboard Camp is a mix of in-park and all-mountain freestyle snow boarding. We do not spend 100% of the time in the parks – there is endless natural freestyle terrain all over the mountains and we know every freestyle feature around every corner.
Each camp is very unique with lots of action and comedy.
For this winter (2021~22) we will not be offering our Full Day Camp. We’ve had to scale back this and a couple of other programs because of the pandemic. We plan to bring it back for the 2022~23 winter.
Our original answer – If you’d like to do full day camp then go for it! We sometimes recommend to do half day camp for your first week and then full day camp from your second week onward so your legs/muscles can adjust.
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 visa to visit Canada, we can send you a Core Camp Letter of Acceptance to add when applying.
No. We are a Ski and Snowboard Camp, not a party camp. We match the ages in our accommodations to create a good balance. Since we’re all always tired from each big day of riding, everyone is usually in bed by 10pm 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 campers are in their 20s and 30s as well as some in their teens and 40s. 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.
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 coming in early 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 the camps from 15 years old and up. Most skiers who snowboarders who join us are in their late teens to late thirties. We’re happy to have skiers and snowboarders with us from 15 to 50+ years young..! 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 15 years of operation, we’ve noticed that 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.
Yes. If you already have an Epic Season Pass or Whistler Season Pass, we can subtract the lift pass or season pass off your Premier Camp. Please contact us for more details and rates.
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
Yes, travel/medical insurance is required for you to have. You can check with World Nomads (Explorer Package) for our Whistler Camps. Or check with your local travel insurance provider.
We also require that all Core Camp participants have Trip Interruption/Cancellation insurance as part of their insurance.
Trip Interruption/Cancellation is easy to purchase with most plans and is good peace of mind.
This protects you in case you have to cancel or if you cannot finish your camp.
As for insurance companies covering Covid related issues, We recommend checking directly with an insurance company.
We have two types of accommodations: Our Core Camp Rider House accommodation and Home Stay.
SOME IMAGES OF OUR RIDER HOUSES ► LINK TO RIDER HOUSE PAGE – need to make
Our Rider Houses are comfortable houses within the town of Whistler. Our houses are bring, clean and comfortable. They are set up for your stay in Whistler. Our houses are fully furnished, have fully equipped kitchens (for cooking), WIFI, TV, clothing washers and dryers, bedding, towels etc.
Our accommodations have a nice camp atmosphere while you live with other like-minded people.
Staying in our camp accommodation is a large part of the full Core Camp experience and our return campers fully agree with us.
Our accommodation is based on two (sometimes three) people per room.
Campers are responsible for their own meals at the Core houses.
The houses range from a 5 minute walk to a short bus ride to the center of town, the lifts and our campus.
Home-Stay accommodation is a private room and 3 meals per day (room and board) with a nice, local Whistler families. It’s a great Canadian experience. Home-Stay is an additional $340/week.
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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