Members have the option of bringing their own lunch or purchasing from the resort cafeteria. At this point, most resorts have not finalized what their meal options may or may not be and whether the food will be prepackaged or freshly made.
Members have the option of bringing their own lunch or purchasing from the resort cafeteria. At this point, most resorts have not finalized what their meal options may or may not be and whether the food will be prepackaged or freshly made.
Please ask to leave a message for Snowhawks Raven directors, Mitch or Heather.
Snowhawks Raven uses only luxury coaches. All are equipped with washrooms, DVD's, and seat belts. Skis and snowboards are stored underneath the bus for safety. We have used Pacific Western as our company of choice for many years. They provide excellent service and their drivers are very courteous.
Please notify us in advance. Parents are welcome to drive their children to the hill, but it is imperative on their part to have their child there and ready to go by the proper time.
Travel time to Mount St. Louis is approximately one and a quarter hours and to Blue Mountain is approximately one hour and fifty minutes. The Mt. St. Louis, Christmas and Spring Traveller Programs visit Mt. St. Louis exclusively, whereas the Blue Mountain Program travels to Blue Mountain for all 8 sessions. In addition to highway travel time, the buses also follow a route within the city which may add up to a half hour depending on where one lives. Our objective is to be at the hill for 9:00 a.m. and leave the hills at 4:00 p.m.
We ask that parents be on time when picking up their child at the end of the day. If a parent is late, either an instructor, chaperon or responsible adult will stay with the child, or in some instances a chaperon may take the child home with them (if the parent is very late). On occasion, the bus may have to wait with a child and this inconveniences parents down the line, so please be on time. If we have advance knowledge that a bus will be very late (say more than 30 minutes), we will post it on our facebook page or tweet it out.
It is the parents responsibility to be on time. Those who are late more than once might lose bus privileges with no refund. We do this as it is unfair to all the other parents further on the route who must wait or our "volunteer" parent chaperones who often have other committments upon return to the city.
We use a company called Pacific Western. Please note, however, that on occasion charter bus companies do 'borrow' buses from each other or there might be other organizations at the same location using the same bus company. This is why we ask that you please make note of the exact location we tell you to go to and as an extra precaution, please ask the supervisor on the bus if it is a Snowhawks Ravens' bus. One should also check with the supervisor that the bus is for their program… i.e. Mount St. Louis Traveller vs. Blue Mountain Traveller.
Occassionally parents or a family friend may have to pick up a member at the hill. The following protocol should be followed.
This year, our buses will be supervised by senior staff members who will be looking out for the safety of all and ensuring that our members are staying as socially distant as possible. Please also note that everyone riding the bus must wear a mask at all times.
Due to our limited capacity on account of Covid 19 and for contact tracing reasons, whatever bus your child goes up on is the bus they must come home on. No switching buses this year.
The buses will attempt to be as prompt as possible. Other than the first week, they will leave the designated stop at the times indicated. Should you miss the bus, unfortunately, on account of Covid and bus restrictions, you will have to drive your child directly to the hill and inform the director of your dilemma and ask the director to make sure your son/daughter goes home on the bus.
The buses will let the kids off as close to the hill as possible. The kids will be given their lift ticket on the bus. They will get off the bus wearing their ski/snowboard boots and will then gather their skis or snowboard. On the older kids’ programs, our members will walk to the hill and either go directly to their lesson or to the ski and snowboard school meeting place. On account of Covid19, all kids will be required to carry their own skis and snowboards to the class meeting area.
The number one ski & snowboard retailer in the GTA is Sporting Life. They've earned that reputation over years of satisfying their clients with their knowledge and customer service and no one stands behind their products like they do!
Given that kids are always growing, there is probably no need to buy the best equipment possible. For youngsters, ask about the Junior Half-Back program. Sporting Life initiated this program and they are still the best! Most kids choosing to snowboard prefer a freestyle or free ride (all-mountain) board. Above all, buy something that fits well, is comfortable and is of an appropriate length, stiffness, etc. For members participating in freestyle skiing twin-tip ski's should be purchased.
YES - Helmets are mandatory for all members and staff.
All members must have face coverings for the bus, indoor use as well as the ski hill. Please note for outside use, a warmer face covering is required.
As always, the operative words are "Waterproof", "Layering" and "Breathable".
Under the helmet one should have a "hot hood" (balaclava) and perhaps a neck tube. For the torso a moisture wicking under garment, sweatshirt and waterproof ski/snowboard jacket works best. For the legs, again a pair of moisture wicking long john's (or sweats for really cold days) and a pair of waterpfoof insulated ski/snowboard pants. One pair of socks works better than two, and again these should be specific to skiing/snowboarding so as to wick the moisture away from the foot. All members should also wear proper goggles as they protect against the elements including the cold.
Hand warmers and toe warmers are a particularly good idea for cold days. Pack a pair and put them in your child's pocket so they can access them if necessary.
Also it is important to provide proper gloves or mitts for outdoor activity. Should be thermal and well insulated.
The trick here is to make things as simple as possible for your son/daughter. A well-labelled ski or snowboard bag will not only protect the equipment underneath the bus, but they also make it easy on mom or dad at the pick-up location as there is less chance of taking the wrong poles, skis or board. Also, send with a small boot duffel bag and help us educate your son/daughter to put everything in it once they get back on the bus, ie. boots, goggles, gloves, neck tube, loose clothing, etc… lunches and snacks can also be stored in here. Please put names on everything!
Make sure your child knows to keep an indoor face mask in their jacket pocket so they will have it handy at all times.