Parent Zone

“As a parent I would 100% recommend the Winter Sports Company.

Our son signed up for the 18 week course and went to Sun Peaks in Canada with them in November 2021. For health reasons he had to cut short his trip by 4 weeks, but still managed to have an amazing time…he hasn’t stopped talking about his trip since he got back and was gutted he had to return early. From start to finish (and beyond) the support Rik, Emma and Rob have provided us, as his parents, has been second to none and above and beyond just professional courtesy. The support they provided our son, before, during and after his trip has been brilliant. They are reassuring, helpful and nothing is too much trouble. He is currently in the process of applying for a 2 year working visa to return to Canada next season and Rik has come up with ideas and options to help him gain employment and continue with his ski instructor development whilst he’s there.

Ultimately for us though, the most important thing was knowing the company cared about our son and looked out for him whilst he was away from home and during the times he was struggling. I cannot recommend Winter Sports Company highly enough, thank you Rik, Emma and Rob and everyone else in Sun Peaks associated with the company who provided such an amazing experience.”

“As a parent unused to supporting your child for this type of adventure, I wouldn’t have known where to start. Rik, Emma and the team provided lots of guidance and support that made the preparation so easy. Always available for a chat on the phone and quickly following up with any actions gave me confidence.

I know that my son felt relaxed and part of a great team for the minute he met up with the rest of the party at the airport. Feedback from him during the season made us very envious of the experience he was having: ‘Loving Life’ was a regular comment he would make. So much so that the prospect of a second year’s deferral for Uni is definitely on the cards – and back to Panorama too!”

“Thank goodness that my daughter chose to do her ski instructors course through Winter Sports. They answered every single question right from the first contact which filled us with confidence in their abilities to not only deliver on the course but also offering great pastoral care.

Life can often throw a curve ball when you least expect it and one week into her 11 week course she had a “life changing” skiing accident. Rik (the director) and Emma were amazing, from making a very difficult telephone call to calming and navigating two distressed parents. Rik was incredible and dropped everything, hired a car and drove to Kelowna Hospital to be by our daughter’s side until I was able to fly out. He supported her through various operations and procedures keeping us updated throughout. Emma navigated the insurance company literature and advised us. Rik was there to collect me from the airport, he had arranged accommodation and even cooked dinner! The care and compassion was unparalleled and genuine.

Even in one week our daughter met some amazing people on her course who kept in touch and pulled her through some dark times in hospital. That initial week had been memorable and fun from the instructors to the friends she made. Rik and Emma continue to check in to see how she is doing. She would like to ski again and would only consider using Winter Sports because whatever happens we all know they will be there through any crisis. We will always be indebted to Rik who looked after our daughter like she was his own until we could be there to take back the reigns.”