Volunteers at DWA come from a range of careers and locations. They are full-time, part-time employees, students, retirees and semi-retirees. However, they all have one thing in common – the desire to share their love of snowsports through guiding people with a disability to ski and snowboard.
Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) plays a vital role in supporting athletes from entry level through to high performance, working closely with Anow Australia across the pathway.
DWA is now calling for new guides to join their training this season – a great opportunity to learn new skills, be part of a supportive community, and help athletes experience the joy of snow sports.
Volunteer Associate Membership
Associate membership is for those wanting to volunteer to support our members in finding their freedom on snow. If that’s you, then you are in the right place. DWA offers a range of volunteer opportunities, ranging from adaptive snowsport guides, to board and committee members as well as a range of other roles aimed to harness the skills and experiences of our volunteers to support our programs.
DWA deeply values its volunteers and aims to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for training, mentoring and recognition.
Their members request the assistance of adaptive snowsport guides almost every day of the snow season. It may be just for an hour or two, or for several days in a row. Even if you’re available for a short period of time, you can help their members. This is not a one-way street. Helping others enjoy Australia’s unique alpine environment provides as much joy to the participant as it does to the guide.
Mt. Hotham volunteer guide Ian ‘Whitey’ White says:
“My involvement with DWA started in 2017 and has grown to become a significant part of my life on mountain, enriching it in so many ways. The work we do with our members never fails to make me smile and I can’t help but admire the courage and commitment they continually show. For me, I’ve come to realise that a big part of it is spreading and sharing the happiness of being in the snow…and about equality. Everyone has the right to have this much fun!”
Tap on the link below and watch the video to see what they do and why we do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YstJMWqY2oo
How to become a DWA Volunteer
If you want to be an adaptive snowsports guide the process is pretty simple. Be honest! What level of skier or snowboarder are you? To be successful as a DWA guide, you need to be a strong intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder with the ability to navigate blue and black terrain comfortably. If this is you then read on….
1. Read through frequently asked questions section.
2. Complete the Expression of Interest Survey
3. Become an Associate Member or renew your membership. The cost of for the 2026 season is: $90 for a new associate and $80 for a renewing associate. When you apply as a new associate member, you will receive a receipt by email for a “New Associate Membership Application”. This is step one in becoming an associate member. Once you are approved for associate membership, you will receive an invoice by email for the new membership fee of $90. Only once this invoice is paid, can you register for Guide training.
4. You will need to provide a current Working with Children Check (or current teachers check if applicable) to complete registration as an Associate Member. This is because many of DWA’s members are under 18.
In New South Wales you can apply here.
In Victoria, you can apply here.
5. Sign up for Adaptive Snowsports Guide Training at your local resort here and complete the pre-training quiz provided by the training coordinator.
Read enough? Ready to commit?
Submit your Expression of Interest Survey, become an Associate member and start your adaptive snowsports guide adventure today!
If you have questions or queries, please email volunteer@disabledwintersport.com.au.
Learn more at https://www.disabledwintersport.com.au/
