DWA Volunteer Membership and Benefits
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.
Volunteer Membership
There are two types of membership at DWA – Individual and Associate.
Individual members are those with a disability who may use specialist adaptive equipment, physical support above that of an able body person and/or specialist instruction to be able to ski and snowboard. For information about this kind of membership, please head to our Individual membership section
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.
Our 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 our 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!”
This video will give you a taste of what we do and why we do it.
How to become a DWA Volunteer
DWA has volunteering opportunities both on and off snow.
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.
Read through our frequently asked questions section at the bottom of this page.
Complete the Expression of Interest Survey and one of our volunteer team will be in touch.
Become an Associate Member or renew your membership. The cost of for the 2024 season is: $90 for a new associate and $80 for a renewing associate.
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.
Sign up for Adaptive Snowsports Guide Training at your local resort here and complete the pre-training quiz.
Apart from the emotional and intellectual benefits, DWA Guides enjoy discounts at a number of retail outlets, free lift tickets and entry permits when they are guiding, free DWA membership for those that guide for five days or more. Furthermore, you are a part of an inclusive, positive and supportive environment. And there is the snow, of course!
Read enough? Ready to commit? Become an Associate member and start your adaptive snowsports guide adventure today!
If you have questions, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteer Coordinator.
DWA Guide FAQs
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As little or as much as you like. Ideally we hope you want to volunteer at least four days each season. Those that guide for five days or more, your associate membership will be free the following year.
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Some members only need assistance for a couple of hours each day, so if you only have a couple of hours available, that's fine. Some members need a guide half a day or all day, so if you've got more time free, that's great!
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Yes, we'll teach you the basics about common disabilities and what you need to know on snow.
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No, our adaptive snowsport guides are not expected to help with our members' personal caring needs. If a member needs this assistance, they will need to have someone with them or that will meet them at an agreed location.
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When you're guiding DWA will provide you with a lift pass. Just let the resort coordinator know that you'll need a lift pass.
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When you're coming to the resort to guide, DWA will provide gate entry on the days you are guiding. Just let the resort coordinator know if you need gate entry arranged.
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Yes
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Absolutely! Not all guiding requires strength. There are plenty of members who require little more than a companion who knows their way around the mountain.
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Yes, costs associated with food, accommodation at the venue, transport to the mountain and an Associate membership (which costs $79 for a whole season) gives you benefits across the whole mountain as well as with some of our snow equipment suppliers.
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We use a scheduling platform Deputy. Once you are qualified as a guide, your details will be added to the platform and you will be able to see guiding opportunities for your your nominated resort/s.
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Just log into Deputy once you have been given access to able to view your shift/s.
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If you're already rostered to guide, please contact the relevant manager or coordinator as soon as possible to let them know.
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Yes. The volunteers are to be a minimum age of 16, as of 10th June 2022. They cannot become guides but can become "companions". Any guide under the age of 18 will be accompanied by another guide over 18 years of age.
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Yes. DWA's cover under the policy applies whilst a covered person is engaged in voluntary work on behalf of DWA, provided always that any voluntary work is officially organised by and under the control of DWA.
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The insurance can cover Accidental death, Permanent disability lump sum payments, Weekly loss of income benefits, Fractured bones benefits, Emergency home help, non-Medicare medical expenses, Tuition or advice expenses, and Funeral expenses.
The insurer will determine what coverage is provided once a claim is made.
If you are a person with disability interested in becoming a member
If you want to use your skiing or snowboarding skills as a volunteer guide