Vision & Mission
Our vision is of a society in which enjoyment and appreciation of outdoor activities year-round play a major part in ensuring that all young people are healthy and self-confident.
The mission of Ski At School is to maximize the opportunities for all young people to learn and have fun cross-country skiing, at first on school premises during school hours, then as part of their regular recreational activities. What’s crucial for us it that EVERYONE has the same opportunity to soak up the benefits of outdoor activity, no matter where you come from!
Our vision is of a society in which enjoyment and appreciation of outdoor activities year-round play a major part in ensuring that all young people are healthy and self-confident.
The mission of Ski At School is to maximize the opportunities for all young people to learn and have fun cross-country skiing, at first on school premises during school hours, then as part of their regular recreational activities. What’s crucial for us it that EVERYONE has the same opportunity to soak up the benefits of outdoor activity, no matter where you come from!
The components of our program
Ski At School : The core
The main component of the program introduces schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 to the practice of this sport ‘free of charge‘, directly in the yards of elementary and secondary schools in Quebec.
Our seasoned ambassadors show up, at the request of the physical education teacher, with a full fleet of Salomon gear. Accessibility to the benefits of the sport is maximized by the free and simple nature of our program!
Ski At School : opportunities to surpass yourself
Participants in the program have multiple opportunities to exceed their own expectations and to take other members of their family on the journey with them. A major part of youth development is showing young people that there is no limit to their own potential. The main opportunities are:
- Ski Instructor Certification: after focused training, students can qualify as cross-country skiing instructors;
- Ski Fests: community events when friends and family can have fun on skis; promotion of health and healthy habits;
- Family Ski Days: usually at weekends, parents, family and friends can use the ski equipment ‘free of charge‘. On these occasions, students who have been certified as instructors have the opportunity to be paid as teachers and/or guides;
- Mini Marathon: this free event is open to students on the Friday before the main weekend of the Canadian Ski Marathon and offers the opportunity to try out skiing on varied terrain over longer distances (up to 10km);
- Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM): this 55 year-old, two-day event, held in early February, is open to all ages and levels of ability;
- Ski Treks: SAS has organized adventure weekends for supervised groups of SAS participants to challenge themselves on skis over several days, sleeping - and eating! - in school gyms, community centres, etc. along the way;
- Ski At School : The core
The main component of the program introduces schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 to the practice of this sport free of charge, directly in the yards of elementary and secondary schools in Quebec.
Our seasoned ambassadors show up, at the request of the physical education teacher, with a full fleet of Salomon gear. Accessibility to the benefits of the sport is maximized by the free and simple nature of our program!
- Ski At School : opportunities to surpass yourself
Participants in the program have multiple opportunities to exceed their own expectations and to take other members of their family on the journey with them. A major part of youth development is showing young people that there is no limit to their own potential. The main opportunities are:
- Ski Instructor Certification: after focused training, students can qualify as cross-country skiing instructors;
- Ski Fests: community events when friends and family can have fun on skis; promotion of health and healthy habits;
- Family Ski Days: usually at weekends, parents, family and friends can use the ski equipment free of charge. On these occasions, students who have been certified as instructors have the opportunity to be paid as teachers and/or guides;
- Mini Marathon: this free event is open to students on the Friday before the main weekend of the Canadian Ski Marathon and offers the opportunity to try out skiing on varied terrain over longer distances (up to 10km);
- Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM): this 55 year-old, two-day event, held in early February, is open to all ages and levels of ability;
- Ski Treks: SAS has organized adventure weekends for supervised groups of SAS participants to challenge themselves on skis over several days, sleeping - and eating! - in school gyms, community centres, etc. along the way;
Our Story
Over more than five decades, enthusiasts of the Canadian Ski Marathon have watched the average age of its participants increasing. Also, it is not easy to practice the sport in many places where young people live.
With an eye to the future, it was clear that part of the solution would be to widen the accessibility of cross-country skiing to all schoolchildren, regardless of their background or socio-economic status.
Apart from the obvious health benefits, this would also lead to increased youth participation in large-scale sporting events, including the CSM itself. Following a pilot program in the MRC Pontiac in 2016 – 2017, where the deprivation index is higher than average, a full program was launched.
Since then, SAS has evolved to cover the rest of the Outaouais region and plans to expand further, so that cross-country skiing serves as a catalyst for healthier life-styles across the entire Québec community.
Our Team
Initiated by the Canadian Ski Marathon, the Ski At School program is based on dedication and includes :
Generous volunteers who have at heart a vigorous generation of tomorrow, whose opportunities are fair and healthy!
A team of seasoned ambassadors who travel to schools and community centers to share their passion!
Local outdoor cooperatives and other organizations that ensure the regionalized and decentralized development of the program!
A small administrative team that ensures the smooth running of operations and funding for the Ski School Foundation!
A donation to our Foundation
Like many schoolchildren who cling to a passion or a sport to get through their school career, Ski At School shows resilience and hard work.
The Foundation of our organization is dedicated to ensuring our independence, our flexibility and our high quality service, in order to make a lasting mark on each human being with whom we share our passion.
Donating to Ski at school will empower our community, one young person at a time. It is using outdoor and experiential activities to instill emotions and personal pride in this 6 to 16 year old age group.
A donation is the ability to slide the entire community toward equal opportunities, including being well supported, healthy and happy.
Be a Donor and an Explorer
At Ski At School, the experiential side is very important. This is why it is possible to give yourself or a loved one a stimulating, safe and memorable outdoor experience.
In addition to making your community shine through participating in one of our fundraising premium events, you will shine personally after having made a fantastic all-inclusive expedition.
When you reserve your place on a Ski At School charity expedition, the cost you pay will be used as follows:
- Want more information about our fundraising events?
Want more information about our fundraising events?
Please see the links in this sections that will provide you with a better picture of the 3 types of events available for you to join!
Our desire for an active community
There is a legend in the world of cross-country skiing that endures – and for good reason. Herman Smith-Johannsen, also known as Jackrabbit, was a larger-than-life force who lived to the age of 111 and was still participating in the Canadian Ski Marathon at 100!
The secrets of his legend are perhaps embodied in the values that this follower of outdoor and experiential activities advocated, namely: enjoyment, testing one’s limits, love of nature, and moderation.
Like this great man, Ski At School intends to play a role in the healthy proliferation of these values and to contribute, through the dynamism of youth, to an active and united nation. Our big dreams include well-being and vitality, which would reduce the strain on our healthcare system, in addition to galvanizing our national athletic potential.
Outdoor and experiential activities are key to the vitality of our society.
Our Partners
Ski At School is active thanks to generous donors, but must also underline the contribution of its valuable partners:
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