Canadian Adaptive Snowsports - Alberta Association

Canadian Adaptive Snowsports - Alberta Association (CADS Alberta) is a volunteer-based provincial nonprofit organization dedicated to providing adaptive snowsport opportunities for Albertans with disabilities. It serves as the Alberta division of the national Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS) organization. CADS Alberta’s core mission is to facilitate both recreational and competitive alpine skiing and snowboarding for individuals with a wide range of disabilities, fostering an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment for learning and participation.

History and Background

CADS Alberta traces its origins to the larger national movement founded in 1976, stemming from adaptive skiing initiatives started in 1963 by Jerry Johnston, ski school director at Sunshine Village. The Alberta division has been active for over 50 years, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021. Throughout its history, CADS Alberta has positively impacted thousands of individuals with disabilities, providing access to winter sports and enhancing quality of life through physical activity and community engagement.

Mission and Vision

The organization’s vision is to create an inclusive Alberta where adaptive snowsports are accessible to all. CADS Alberta’s mission focuses on delivering safe, inclusive, and supportive recreational and competitive adaptive snowsport programs. These programs emphasize strong leadership, advocacy, and partnerships to promote adaptive skiing and snowboarding for persons with disabilities.

Programs and Services

CADS Alberta offers a broad range of programs tailored to accommodate participants with various disabilities, including visual impairments, physical disabilities, neurodiversity, and cognitive impairments. The association provides lessons, training, and competition pathways that enable participants to engage in alpine skiing and snowboarding at all skill levels.

The organization also supports the certification of instructors through standardized training programs aligned with national standards. CADS instructor certification is consistent across Canada and is accredited by the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA), ensuring high-quality and safe instruction tailored to adaptive needs.

Governance

CADS Alberta operates under a board of directors comprised of volunteers who oversee the organization’s strategic direction and governance. The board includes positions such as president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, member-at-large roles, and representatives from various Alberta zones. This volunteer leadership collaborates to maintain CADS Alberta’s commitment to its mission and the communities it serves.

Relationship to Canadian Adaptive Snowsports

As the provincial division of the national Canadian Adaptive Snowsports organization, CADS Alberta aligns with the broader goals of CADS, which supports over 5,400 members across Canada as of 2025. The national body works to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities to access snow sports, providing knowledge, equipment, and skills necessary for safe participation. CADS Alberta benefits from this affiliation through access to national-level resources, certification programs, and a strong network of volunteers and participants.

Impact

Over its 50-plus years of operation, CADS Alberta has made significant contributions by enhancing accessibility to winter sports for individuals with disabilities. The organization continues to expand adaptive skiing and snowboarding opportunities, reinforcing the belief that adaptive snowsports are for all abilities and supporting active, inclusive lifestyles in Alberta’s winter communities.

Business Registration Number: 133967406RR0001
Website: CADS Alberta

Note: Contact details are excluded as per request.

[1] https://cadsalberta.ca [2] https://www.cads.ski [3] https://cadsalberta.ca/about/ [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Adaptive_Snowsports [5] https://informalberta.ca/public/organization/orgProfileStyled.do?organizationQueryId=27