Quebec Ski Areas Association realized over 32,000 ski introductions this season and counting

Spring is the perfect season for many winter sports enthusiasts, and a great time for those wishing to try skiing on softened surfaces, in mild conditions. The Quebec Ski Areas Association (ASSQ) takes this opportunity to share its winter review on introductory activities across Quebec. Many offers are still available to get introduced to the sport, and the next few weeks are ideal for taking advantage of them.

Thanks to an investment of several hundred thousand dollars and the support of invaluable partners including Burton, Rossignol and Sports Experts, as well as the ministère de l’Éducation, more than 32,000 introductions have been carried out through the various programs orchestrated by the ASSQ. This figure confirms the organization's primary mission: to develop the next generation of skiers and snowboarders in Quebec, with an emphasis on accessibility to snow sports.

Free initiations in elementary school: To reach children from diverse backgrounds, the ASSQ is active in 24 School Service Centers in 14 Quebec regions. As part of the Iniski and Inisurf school program, fleets of ski and snowboard equipment are donated to these centers, which are then used in different ways, depending on the schools' choices (outings to ski resorts and physical education classes). The Snowboard Tour, also in elementary schools for 5- to 8-year-olds, travels throughout Montreal, Eastern Townships and Quebec City regions. It is run by Association-trained instructors, who visit schools in the fall and winter.

Urban sites: MySnow Experience program reaches out to even more people, offering free introduction in urban areas for children aged 5 to 8. All winter long, ski and snowboard dedicated sites are in operation at the Centre de la Nature in Laval, the Centre plein air in Lévis and at Winterlude in Gatineau, offering full equipment and devoted staff, free of charge.

Never Ever Days program presented by Sports Experts: A low-cost ski introduction, valid until the ski resort’s closing date Never Ever Days program, for ages 5 and up, is a lesson at a ski resort with a certified instructor, plus full equipment rental for only $29.95. There are still some times-slots available between now and the end of the season, so hurry! The ASSQ is taking advantage of this opportunity to offer this program to nearly a hundred newcomers and families from the Laval region, at Versant Avila on March 24.

"We would like to thank the participating ski resorts and all ASSQ partners and collaborators for making this possible. These programs are a testament to a vision shared by the industry: to make winter sports and outdoor activities ever more accessible, and thus contribute to the healthy lifestyles of Quebecers.

Skiing and snowboarding are part of a well-established winter culture in Quebec, and we're delighted to share this passion with every Quebecer," says Yves Juneau, President and CEO.

The ASSQ is a non-profit organization that represents and defends the interests of its 75-member ski areas, promotes the practice of snow sports and improves the quality of the product and the performance of the ski areas. Established in the ski industry for over 40 years, its mandate to develop the next generation of skiers and snowboarders in Quebec is achieved mainly through sales of financing products such as the Ski Passe-Partout. Each year, more than 50,000 young people are introduced to snow sports through the various ASSQ programs.