ASSQ Invests In Accessibility To Sliding Sports 42,000 Initiations Offered This Winter
The spring skiing and lively après-ski season has begun to the delight of skiers and snowboarders. At the dawn of a busy end to the season, it's already time to take stock for the Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASSQ). Thanks to an investment of several hundred thousand dollars and the support of valuable partners including Burton, Rossignol and Sports Experts and the Ministry of Education, nearly 42,000 initiations have been carried out through the various programs for the next generation. orchestrated by the ASSQ , confirming the primary mission of the organization; develop the next generation of skiers and snowboarders in Quebec by emphasizing accessibility to sliding sports.
Free initiations in primary schools
In order to reach young people from diverse backgrounds, the ASSQ is active through 24 School Service Centers in 14 regions of Quebec. First, as part of the Iniski and Inisurf at school program, it donates fleets of ski and snowboard equipment to these centres, which are then used in various ways depending on the schools' choices. In general, it is the physical education teachers who introduce their students to the schoolyard, while others take the opportunity to set up school outings to a nearby ski resort.
Also in elementary schools, the ASSQ also offers the Tournée Planche à neige , for 5 to 8 year olds. This is done in two stages through the regions of Montreal, the Eastern Townships and Quebec. Leaders trained by the association travel to schools in the fall and winter, offering young people a first contact with the board during an indoor session (with suitable equipment), and a second on snow.
Sites in an urban environment
In addition, the Experience mysnow program makes sure to reach even more people, by offering free initiation in an urban environment for children aged 5 to 8 years old. Throughout the winter, dedicated areas were in operation at the Center de la Nature de Laval, the Center plein air de Lévis and during Winterlude in Gatineau, offering free entertainment and complete equipment for school groups on weekdays and for adults. public, weekends. Experience maneige ended last week, accumulating a total of 8,000 initiations given.
All of these initiatives put the number of free initiations offered at 37,000 for the winter of 2022-2023 ; 37,000 smiles in the faces of children!
The ASSQ's next generation programs are possible thanks to the sale of the Ski Passe-Partout product and the collaboration of partners such as the Ministry of Education, Sports Experts, Burton and Rossignol.
Getting started at low cost outside the school benches
To achieve its mission, the ASSQ does not limit itself to initiations in school and urban environments. Since there is no age limit for learning to hit the slopes, the My first time program presented by Sports Experts is open to everyone and this season offered a lesson in a ski resort with a certified instructor as well as ski rental. complete equipment for as little as $29.95. Valid all season long at 42 participating resorts in Quebec (limited places), the ASSQ is pleased to announce that it has reached its goal of 5,000 Ma Première fois initiations.
“We wanted this winter to put the pandemic behind us and relaunch our initiation programs. Our goal was ambitious! We thank the participating ski resorts for making this possible. It is a guarantee of a vision shared by the industry, that of making sliding sports and the winter outdoors ever more accessible in order to contribute to the healthy lifestyles of Quebecers. says Yves Juneau, President and CEO.
Inclusive programs
At the heart of the ASSQ's priorities; that this accessibility to sliding sports is as wide as possible and that it meets the different cultures of the territory. Indeed, various initiatives have been put forward this season with new Quebecers and newcomers.
