12th Annual VASS Cup Returns to Grouse Mountain on March 10th
Premier annual fundraiser in support of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports
March 4, 2019
(North Vancouver) Celebrating the Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) community, the 12th annual VASS Cup will be held on Sunday, March 10th at Grouse Mountain. This fun afternoon of activities is also the premier annual fundraiser for VASS’ programs which make the mountain experience accessible to all.
“As our biggest event of the year, the VASS Cup is a true celebration of our community and showcases what we call the VASS Magic,” said VASS President, Anne Bethune. “It’s not only a chance to recognize our students as they show their skills on the race course, but an opportunity to hear stories from family and friends about the impact VASS has in our students’ everyday lives; that’s really the most rewarding part.”
In addition to a fun ski race, the VASS Cup also includes a sledge hockey demonstration, silent auction and an après celebration with awards and prizes. Donations to the silent auction are still being accepted.
Funds raised through the VASS Cup make it possible to provide individuals with a disability access to the mountains, and to increase their self-confidence, motivation and independence through outdoor recreation. Last year’s event saw the highest turnout in its history and raised over $50,000 in support of VASS programs.
VASS is a registered non-profit society that runs skiing and snowboarding programs for persons with a disability at Grouse Mountain, Mt. Seymour and Cypress Mountain.
Students of all ages and disabilities are welcomed to the program which uses adaptive equipment and/or specialized teaching techniques to maximize a person’s independence on the snow. To meet the needs of its members, VASS offers programs from beginner to advanced, which include snowboarding, sit-ski, stand-up skiing and advanced adaptive ski racing.
Schedule of Events
- 10:00am - 10:30am: Registration
- 11:00am: Race briefing
- 11:30am - 2:00pm: Race
- 11:30am - 2:30pm: Sledge hockey
- 11:30am – 3:00pm: Silent Auction
- 2:30pm - 4:00pm: Awards and après celebration
About Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports:
VASS makes the mountain accessible to all. VASS runs skiing and snowboarding programs on Vancouver’s North Shore mountains with a 45 year history at Grouse Mountain Resort. VASS teaches all abilities from beginner to advanced adaptive racing and all disabilities including people with a visual impairment, spinal cord injury, missing limbs and our growing autism program.
About Grouse Mountain:
With 221 acres of skiable terrain, Grouse Mountain has been welcoming visitors to our slopes to enjoy the best in downhill sports since our inaugural season in 1926. The 2018/19 winter season also marks the 25th anniversary of terrain parks on Grouse Mountain. With 33 ski and snowboard runs, 15 night runs, four chairlifts, a magic carpet, five terrain parks plus the Cut Jump Line, 9 kilometres of snowshoe trails and the North Shore's most terrain variety, Grouse Mountain is Vancouver’s outdoor playground with an average annual snowfall of 9.7 metres (31.8 feet).
