Powered By Volunteers
Volunteers are the heartbeat of Ignite Adaptive Sports. Each year, more than 250 Volunteers help provide life-changing experiences to more than 300 Athletes who join us on the slopes.
Volunteer Roles
All of our work at Ignite is powered by Volunteers. Every effort makes a difference. You can help in any or all of the following ways:
- Snowsport Instructor: Provide lessons on sit skiing, Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more.
- Equipment Technician: Set up athletes with equipment and maintain our fleet of specialized adaptive aids.
- Client Services Volunteer: Greet our our athletes and instructors, check in attendees, and keep the facility running efficiently.
- Ambassador Program: Represent Ignite at various public events and functions.
- Special Events Volunteer: Help out during our annual gala, picnic, and fundraising events.
- Financial Donor: Support Ignite through monetary support.
How to Become a Volunteer
Ignite Volunteers are the best-in-class! We provide resources and training each season so that you’re prepared to assist Athletes on the slopes safely and confidently.
Want to volunteer as an adaptive snowsports instructor? We would LOVE to have you on board! Here’s what you can expect to get prepared to give your first lesson on the slopes:
- Come to our orientation session in Boulder to meet the Ignite team and learn more about your path to becoming an instructor (held in October).*
- Attend one classroom training session at Eldora Mountain Resort.*
- Join us for two full-day on-snow clinics at Eldora Mountain Resort.
- Commit to at least 6 teaching days during the season.
*Note: This applies to new volunteers only.
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM
Are you between 16-18 years old and love to ski or snowboard? Join our Junior Volunteer Instructor Program! Being a Junior Instructor at Ignite Adaptive Sports is a great way to have fun and give back to your community.
Junior Volunteer Instructors are required to follow the same steps as adult Volunteers, with the addition of a designated orientation session just for Junior Volunteers.
Faqs
How do I become an Ignite Volunteer?
Email [email protected] OR fill out this form to be added to our prospective Volunteer email list. When we schedule orientation sessions in Boulder, you’ll be automatically notified! After you join us for an orientation session in October, you’ll be invited to attend training clinics in November and December at Eldora. Our lesson season runs from the beginning of January through the end of March.
Do I need to be an expert athlete to volunteer with Ignite?
Nope! You just need to be able to ski or ride up to blue terrain if you are teaching. We have other volunteer opportunities available for those who are not yet intermediate skiers/boarders, such as cross country skiing and snowshoeing. During lessons, you will work with an Ignite Lead Instructor. You will never be asked to do more than you are comfortable doing. We also offer volunteer opportunities that are off the snow!
Why should I volunteer with Ignite?
Every Ignite Volunteer will answer this question differently! We often hear that the experiences gained from giving lessons to our Athletes is life-changing. Most of our Volunteers share a love of snowsports, and want to share that passion with our Athletes.
What training will I receive as a Volunteer Instructor?
In addition to offering coaching on personal skiing and riding skills, our highly skilled and qualified, senior instructors provide the education and training necessary to give you the confidence and skills to provide safe and fun sliding experiences for our Athletes. Opportunities for training with PSIA/AASI are available for anyone wishing to pursue professional certification credentials. Ignite has 8 different types of sliding equipment, and Volunteers are encouraged to train on as many as they are interested in learning. Almost all our clinics are held on-snow, so come ready to have some fun!
What is the commitment for a new Volunteer?
Ignite asks that a new Volunteer attend one of the three orientation meetings held each autumn at the Boulder JCC (6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO 80303). After that there is one classroom session and two on-snow sessions for prospective Volunteer Instructors. Client Services and Equipment Technicians have their own training sessions. All trainings occur in November and December.
Does Ignite provide lift tickets and equipment?
All Volunteers are provided with a lift ticket for days they are working. Ignite assumes that prospective Volunteer Instructors will have their own ski gear.
When are lessons?
Morning lessons are 10AM-12PM. Afternoon lessons are 1PM-3PM. Volunteers should arrive at headquarters by 9AM and plan to leave at 3:30PM. Most lessons are held Wednesday through Sunday, with some groups coming on Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
What are the other Volunteer perks?
If you Volunteer for 12 or more days, you will receive a season pass for Eldora Mountain Resort.
“Put in the work, shred the gnar, show up, meet all the people, soak in the experiences, and you will be rewarded more than you can ever comprehend. You are about to get into something that will be the best thing you do in the winter for many, many, many years to come!”
— Brian Kaepplinger, Ignite Volunteer Instructor