Day Visits

‘It's very cool to watch how different the youth are once they are on the mountain, all the armor and posturing that is part of their survival skills downtown fades away and they get back to being excited, smiling, laughing kids. ’ Ken Bell, Counselor, Directions Youth Services, Vancouver

Zero Ceiling’s Day Visit program is an opportunity for disadvantaged and at-risk youth to try something they would never otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Youth are invited to Whistler or Grouse Mountain for a day of outdoor adventure that can encompass any one of snowboarding, mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, canoeing, sailing or cross country skiing. The visits are themed around a model of positive youth development created by leading psychologists and educators.

Our day visit program aims to:

• Provide marginalized youth an opportunity to experience the thrill of alpine sports in a non-judgmental, fun environment.
• Address some key issues that may be impacting their ability to live healthy and productive lives.
• Incorporate community, self-esteem and team building, and provide a positive outlet for youth energy.
• Introduce the concept of the Zero Ceiling ‘Work to Live’ program as an achievable and viable lifestyle alternative.

Zero Ceiling works closely with youth agencies throughout British Columbia to identify youth who would most benefit from the day visit program. Youth also have the opportunity to progress through the program over a number of years and graduate into the Work-to-Live program once they have achieved some important milestones.
In Zero Ceiling’s 12 year history we have hosted approximately 4,000 disadvantaged and/ or homeless youth through our Day Visit program, with an average 300-400 youth per year having the opportunity to experience the beauty and adventure of BC’s unique alpine environment.
More information about the day visit program, its aims and outcomes can be obtained by contacting Elle Maloney on This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or by phone on 604 698 5093.

Work to Live

‘Today I wake up and have a purpose, have responsibilities and have a chance at a better life than I ever thought possible. I have a job that I love, a roof over my head and food on the table. Zero Ceiling has changed every aspect of my life in a positive way.’ Snowboard Instructor Program graduate

Zero Ceiling's Work to Live program is unlike any programming offered to homeless youth — it is this uniqueness, and our focus on alpine sports as an alternative to unhealthy life “choices” that sets us apart from any other youth program anywhere in the world.
The concept is simple; we work closely with youth agencies throughout BC to identify youth who are ready to turn their lives around. The criteria is straightforward, youth must be alcohol and/or drug free, be homeless or at risk of homelessness, and have a desire to embrace positive change. Many of the youth have already come through our Day Visit program and have experienced the thrill that alpine sports can offer.
Up to six homeless and/ or marginalized youth are selected to move to one of our host mountains and spend a year in our program undertaking employment training, life skills, regular counseling and alpine sports accreditation. Throughout the program they are provided:

• Housing
• Employment
• Equipment
• Certification opportunities
• Volunteering opportunities in the wider community and
• Access to ongoing alpine sports opportunities such as snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting and rock climbing.

The youth we support are interesting, resilient, optimistic, outstanding individuals who enrich our community in so many ways. Our programs help them to recognize and achieve their full potential and this is borne out through the success of past graduates of our programs who have achieved accolades such as “Most Improved Instructor” and “nstructor of the Year”, and who have gone on to become youth workers, senior snowboard instructors, helicopter pilots, peer mentors, board members, outstanding employees and leaders in the community. Since the program's inception 10 years ago, 44 youth have successfully completed the program and are now leading productive and fulfilled lives.