About Acorn Valley Outdoor School.
Acorn Valley Outdoor School is a Canadian outdoor school that teaches skiing, snowboarding and stand-up paddleboarding to kids, adults and families, around Toronto and in Montreal.
At a glance
- What we teach
- Skiing and snowboarding in winter. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in summer.
- Who it is for
- Kids, adults and families. First-timers and returning students are both welcome.
- Seasons
- Winter typically runs November to April, and summer June to September.
- Winter resorts
- Mount St. Louis in Coldwater, Glen Eden in Milton and Lakeridge in Uxbridge, Ontario.
- Summer locations
- Lake Wilcox in Richmond Hill, Cherry Beach in Downtown Toronto, R.K. McMillan Park in Mississauga, and Verdun in Montreal.
- Instructors
- In winter, instructors certified by the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA) or the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI). Summer lessons are guided by the framework of Paddle Canada, the national paddling organization, and Paddle Canada courses are led by certified instructors. Summer coaches hold first aid or lifesaving qualifications.
- Insurance
- CAD $10M commercial liability insurance across all programs.
- Languages
- English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
- Additional needs
- We welcome autistic children and other students with additional needs. It starts with a conversation, so we can work out how to support the student.
- Booking
- Winter lessons start with an inquiry and are confirmed by hand. Summer lessons are booked online by location, June to September. Camps are arranged directly with us.
- Payment
- e-Transfer (EMT), WeChat or credit card. A lesson is confirmed once it is paid.
- Group events
- Company team building, community groups and kids' birthday parties around Toronto, by custom quote. No minimum group size.
- Board rental
- Paddleboards can be rented without a lesson, June to September. Board, paddle and life jacket are included.
Programs and prices
Winter prices are for the whole group, not per person. Lift tickets and ski or snowboard equipment are not included. Summer prices are per person, and board, paddle and life jacket are included in regular lessons.
| Program | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1v1 Private | One student, one instructor. 2 hours. | CAD 248 |
| 1v2 Semi-private | Siblings, friends, or a parent and child. 2 hours. | CAD 328 |
| 1v3 Small group | Shared coaching for families and friends. | CAD 180/hour |
| 1v4 Group | For family groups. True beginners are generally limited to 1v3. | CAD 200/hour |
| Group SUP Class | 75 minutes | CAD 35 + tax per person |
| Focused Small Group | 90 minutes | CAD 49 + tax per person |
| Toronto Island Tour | 2 to 3 hours, depending on weather | CAD 98 + tax per person |
| Summer SUP Camp for Kids | Ages 6 to 12 | CAD 670 + tax per week |
Reviews
What people say on Google.
- 5.0Lake Wilcox
60+ Google reviews - 4.6Mississauga
20 Google reviews - 5.0Montreal Verdun
25 Google reviews
- Professional, patient coaches who are good with children
- Close attention to safety, at a gentle pace
- Easy booking and quick replies
- Relaxed classes in a beautiful setting
Our summary of public Google reviews of our paddleboard locations. Follow the links to read them.
Why we teach outdoors
Outdoor learning is not only about mastering a skill. It is about discovering how capable we truly are.
Students learn on real mountains and real water, one step at a time. They build confidence, get comfortable with uncertainty, and leave with more courage to explore a wider life.
Talk to us
Not sure where to start? Ask us.
Tell us who is learning and what they want to do. We will help you choose the lesson and the location.
- WeChatacornvalleyGood for quick questions
- Phone or text647-609-9687Send a textCalls and texts both work
- Emailacornvalley@outlook.comWe reply as soon as we can
- Instagram@acorn_valleyLesson updates and messages
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