Iniski & inisurf at school
The ABC's of skiing and snowboarding!
Slide and learn! That’s what several school service centres offer over 20,000 students every year, with the teaching materials and free downhill ski and snowboarding equipment they receive as part of the introductory Iniski and Inisurf programs at school.
Every region has its own approach!
Whether it’s in the school yard, on a nearby hill, at the local ski area, or through a regional initiative, the goal is the same: develop a culture of winter sports and a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
FAQ
When did this program start?
Since 1987, the Quebec Ski Area Association (ASSQ), through Fondation Iniski/Inisurf à l’école and its partners, has been working with teachers at school service centres in Quebec (10 regions) to provide a detailed program and tools to make it easy to teach skiing and snowboarding to kids, our future!
What disciplines are offered and for what age groups?
Downhill skiing: kindergarten to grade 2
25 pairs of skis, 30 pairs of boots, and 25 helmets.
Snowboarding: grades 5 and 6
30 snowboards, 35 pairs of boots, and 30 protective helmets.
The quantities indicated are for each participating school service centre.
Which discipline does the program start with?
We start with downhill skiing. After a one-year trial period, we sit down with participating schools to examine the possibility of adding other disciplines.
What commitments does a school service centre have to make to participate in this program?
A minimum of 300 introductory lessons per batch of equipment must be given each year. Three to fours schools usually participate in order to reach this number. Each school gets to use the equipment for a period of up to two weeks. It’s a five-year fixed agreement.
What are the ASSQ’s obligations?
The ASSQ is responsible for providing the the school service centre with the equipment and teaching materials required for the Iniski and Inisurf at school program, including: the appropriate equipment for each discipline, the curriculum, and the student notebooks. At the end of the agreement, the ASSQ gives the equipment to the school board.
What factors help ensure program success?
- A designated person to manage the program.
To maintain communications between the ASSQ and teachers participating in the program, it’s important that the school service centre designate a liaison person. Their role is to prepare the offer for the schools, compile reservations, and coordinate equipment transport. This position can be filled by a principal, a guidance counsellor, or a teacher who is given a few free days per year to coordinate the program. - Equipment transport
To keep the program going and ensure that it continues to appeal to teachers, it’s essential that the school service centre transport the equipment from one school to another. - Program storage
An easily accessible place for teachers to store equipment.
