Ski, snowboard and paddleboard lessons around Toronto and in Montreal.

Acorn Valley Outdoor School teaches kids, adults and families in small groups. Beginners are welcome.

An instructor and young skier practising at sunset

Winter · November to April

On snow

Private and small-group ski and snowboard lessons at three resorts around Toronto.

Winter programs

A student raising a paddle in front of the Toronto skyline

Summer · June to September

On water

Paddleboard lessons, kids camps and Paddle Canada courses in Ontario and Montreal.

Summer programs

Standards

Qualified, insured and easy to reach.

Acorn Valley Outdoor School teaches skiing, snowboarding and stand-up paddleboarding around Toronto and in Montreal. It runs as a structured school: insured operations, venue-based teaching, and direct communication with families before and after lessons.

CSIA / CASIInstructors certified by the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA) or the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI).
3 resortsApproved operations at Mount St. Louis, Glen Eden and Lakeridge.
CAD $10MCommercial liability insurance across all programs.
3 languagesCoaching support in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Paddle CanadaSummer lessons and skills courses are guided by the framework of Paddle Canada, the country's national paddling organization.
On the waterInstructors stay on the water with students for the full lesson, and hold first aid or lifesaving qualifications.
CAD $10MCommercial liability insurance across all programs.
3 languagesCoaching support in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Programs

Choose your winter lesson.

1v1 PrivateCAD 248One student, one instructor. 2 hours.1v2 Semi-privateCAD 328Siblings, friends, or a parent and child. 2 hours.1v3 Small groupCAD 180/hourShared coaching for families.1v4 GroupCAD 200/hourFor stronger students, minimum 3 hours. True beginners: 1v3 at most.Holiday campsBy inquiryChristmas and March Break.Team building and group daysCustom quoteCompanies, community groups and more. No minimum group size.

Lesson packages are on offer right now.See winter pricing

Looking for summer? See paddleboard programs

An instructor showing a child a snowboard on a misty slope

Programs

Choose your summer lesson.

Group SUP classCAD 35 + tax per person1 instructor with 4 to 6 students. 75 minutes.Focused small groupCAD 49 + tax per personUp to 3 students. 90 minutes.Toronto Island TourCAD 98 + tax per personFor students with experience. 2 to 3 hours.Summer SUP campCAD 670 + tax per weekWeek-long day camp, ages 6 to 12.Paddle Canada coursesBy inquiryBasic and Advanced Skills.Board rentalCAD 35 + tax per personRent a board without a lesson.Team building and group eventsCustom quoteCompanies, community groups and kids' birthday parties. No minimum group size.

Looking for winter? See ski and snowboard lessons

A group of young students on their boards on a calm lake

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.

Gallery

Out on the snow and the water.

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.

Special-needs support

Lessons can be adapted with more support.

We welcome autistic children and other students with additional needs. It starts with a conversation about communication style, pacing, transitions, safety and family goals, so we can work out how to support the student before lessons begin.

Start the conversation

Working with your child's support team
We can coordinate with caregivers and registered behaviour analysts (RBA) when a student benefits from more structure, clearer routines or behaviour support.
Prepared instructors
Internal preparation covers pacing, communication, transitions, and supporting students who need more predictability or one-to-one attention outdoors.
Funding
Eligible families may be able to use autism-related or other approved funding, depending on their plan, provider requirements and documentation.

Locations