CADS Ontario
CADS Ontario is a Toronto-based registered charity and provincial division of CADS National that delivers volunteer-run adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding programs, equipment, and instructor certification for people with physical or cognitive disabilities across eight-plus Ontario ski resorts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CADS Ontario does
CADS Ontario is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit (Charitable Registration Number 140800913RR0002; headquartered in Toronto) and a provincial division of CADS National that delivers adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding programs for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. Founded in 1976 (with the AADS program at Mansfield Ski Club established in 1981), the organization operates programs across at least eight Ontario ski resorts — Snow Valley, The Heights, Horseshoe, Sir Sam's, Searchmont, Brimacombe, AADS Mansfield, Blue Mountain, and Craigleith — through a volunteer-driven model with 1–10 paid staff and 513 total members in the 2024–25 season. Its core offering combines adaptive instruction, provision of specialized equipment (sit-skis, bi-skis, mono-skis, Mountain Man, Yetti, outriggers, standing ski frames), and a structured instructor certification pipeline (Levels 1–4 plus Course Conductor) supported by Alpine Canada.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across participant-paid streams and institutional grants: a CAD $50 annual membership is required for all participants and volunteers (covering insurance), program-specific fees range from CAD $47 (Sir Sam's) to CAD $355.95 (AADS Mansfield 9-week programme), and CADS Ontario supplements this with merchandise sales (CAD $25 beanies), donations (CanadaHelps.org), event fundraising (CAD $15,000 net from the 2025 Friends and Family Ski Day; over CAD $4,500 from the inaugural Charlie Adams Ski Day), and grants from Sport Canada (Community Sport for All), the Ontario Trillium Foundation (equipment sheds, volunteer orientation), and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (program equipment and subsidies). Competitive and recreational pathways extend from introductory events (SCIO Ski Day, University of Toronto Ski Day, CTN Try it On-Winter Recreation Days) into the Learn to Race program at Craigleith and the Performance Development Program (PDP), with board and program leadership drawn from a deep volunteer bench including a 20-year National Technical Committee member.
CADS Ontario firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CADS Ontario
- Legal name
- CADS Ontario
- Website
- https://cadsontario.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CADS Ontario is a Toronto-based registered charity and provincial division of CADS National that delivers volunteer-run adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding programs, equipment, and instructor certification for people with physical or cognitive disabilities across eight-plus Ontario ski resorts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CADS Ontario industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Snowsports Instruction
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)
Keywords
Where CADS Ontario is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
CADS Ontario business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Annual Membership Fees: CADS Ontario generates revenue through annual membership fees ($50 per member, covering both disabled skiers and volunteers). Membership is required for insurance coverage and program participation.
- Program Fees: Individual programs charge participant fees. Brimacombe charges $280 per participant (2025/26), AADS Mansfield charges $355.95 for a 9-week programme plus bus transportation costs, and Sir Sam's charges $47 per participant/instructor/volunteer. These fees cover lift tickets, adaptive equipment, and instruction.
- Government and Foundation Grants: CADS Ontario receives grants from government and foundation sources including Sport Canada (Community Sport for All Grant), Ontario Trillium Foundation (for equipment sheds, volunteer orientation), Canadian Tire Jumpstart (for equipment purchases and program subsidies), and Charlie Adams Ski Day fundraising (over $4,500 raised). Charitable registration (140800913RR0002) enables issuing charitable tax receipts and accessing a wider donor pool.
- CADS Apparel Sales: CADS Ontario sells branded merchandise including resort beanies ($25), fleeces, and outerwear through Snowline accounts and directly through the organization.
- Donations: The organization accepts donations through CanadaHelps.org and its own donation portal, with funds directed to programming, training, and equipment purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CADS Annual Membership (All Programs) |
| Subscription | Annual | Brimacombe Program Fee (2025/26 season) |
| Subscription | Annual | AADS Mansfield 9-Week Programme |
| Subscription | Annual | Sir Sam's Program Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CADS Apparel |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
CADS Ontario product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CADS Ontario delivers adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding instruction to people with physical or cognitive disabilities at partner ski resorts across Ontario. The organization provides trained and certified volunteer instructors, specialized adaptive equipment such as sit-skis, bi-skis, mono-skis, and outriggers, and operates multiple weekly program locations during the ski season. It also runs a competitive Learn to Race pathway and a Performance Development Program for para-alpine athletes, alongside a multi-level instructor certification training system.
Product overview
CADS Ontario is a nonprofit organization providing adaptive snowsports programs for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. The core offering consists of adaptive skiing and snowboarding instruction delivered at partner ski resorts across Ontario through multiple program locations. The organization supports a Learn to Race competitive pathway and a Performance Development Program for para-alpine athletes. Instructor certification training is provided through a multi-level system. The product portfolio includes program services at ski resorts, race development, instructor training, and branded merchandise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Blue Mountain Adaptive: Adaptive ski and snowboard lessons and programming at Blue Mountain Resort
- AADS - Adult Adaptive Downhill Snowsports
- Performance Development Program (PDP)
- Learn to Race
Products and services
- Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding Programs Adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding instruction for people with physical or cognitive disabilities, provided at partner ski resorts across Ontario. Programs run weekly during the ski season (approximately January through March) at locations including Snow Valley, Horseshoe, Sir Sam's, Searchmont, Brimacombe, AADS Mansfield, Blue Mountain, The Heights, and Craigleith.
- Learn to Race Program
Companies that use CADS Ontario
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CADS Ontario technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CADS Ontario partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alpine Canada AlpincoreCADS Ontario partnered with Alpine Canada Alpin for delivery of the Sport Canada Community Sport for All Grant, which funded instructor certification for 100+ new adaptive ski instructors in 2023/24. Alpine Canada and CADS National co-develop the adaptive snowsports instructor certification framework and co-host national events.
- Ontario Track 3coreOntario Track 3 and CADS Ontario co-facilitate Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO) Ski and Snowboard Day events. Both organizations serve overlapping populations of people with disabilities in adaptive snowsports and have ongoing discussions to work more collaboratively to expand access.
- Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO)coreSCIO Ski and Snowboard Day is an annual event where SCIO members with spinal cord injuries are introduced to adaptive sit-skiing by CADS Ontario and Ontario Track 3 volunteers. In 2024, 14 SCIO members participated.
- ParaSport OntariominorListed as a partner organization on CADS Ontario's website. ParaSport Ontario delivers the Ontario ParaSport Games in partnership with the Government of Ontario, and CADS Ontario participants compete in these games.
- Ski Resorts (Snow Valley, Horseshoe, Mansfield, Brimacombe, Blue Mountain, Searchmont, Sir Sam's, The Heights, Craigleith)coreCADS Ontario programs are delivered in partnership with ski resorts across Ontario. Partner resorts provide ski hill access, lift tickets, and in some cases facility space, while CADS provides adaptive instruction, trained volunteers, and adaptive equipment. Each program operates at a specific resort.
- Charlie Adams Ski DayminorThe inaugural Charlie Adams Ski Day event at a ski resort raised over $4,500 for CADS Ontario programming and training support. Charlie Adams and friends organized the event to promote CADS to the wider ski community.
- Canadian Paralympic CommitteeminorListed as a partner organization on CADS Ontario's website. CADS programs serve athletes who may progress to Paralympic-level competition.
- CADS NationalcoreCADS Ontario is a provincial division of CADS National (Canadian Adaptive Snowsports). CADS National sets instructor certification standards, organizes the national festival, and provides governance and technical committee support to provincial divisions.
- Blue Mountain / Jack Sim Adaptive ProgramcoreJack Sim and the Blue Mountain adaptive program partner with CTN (Simcoe) to run CTN Try it On-Winter Recreation Days for children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs. Blue Mountain is the largest CADS Ontario-affiliated program.
- Osler Bluff Ski ClubminorCADS Ontario's Learn to Race program operates at Craigleith, part of the Osler Bluff Ski Club. Osler Bluff has hosted CADS Ontario retreats and the 2025 Friends and Family Ski and Snowboard Day.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CADS Ontario competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- ParaSport Ontario: Provincial disability sport organization delivering the Ontario ParaSport Games with CADS Ontario participants; broader across-sport mandate but directly overlapping in adaptive winter sport.
Direct peers
- CADS National (Canadian Adaptive Snowsports): National parent body of CADS Ontario and other provincial divisions. Operates the same adaptive ski instructor certification framework and the annual CADS Festival, making it the most directly comparable peer organization.
- Ontario Track 3: Operates adaptive ski programs at multiple Ontario ski hills and co-hosts SCIO Ski Day with CADS Ontario; serves the same population of skiers with disabilities in the same geography.
- National Ability Center: Park City, Utah-based nonprofit providing adaptive ski, snowboard, and recreation programs with instructor certification and equipment provision, directly parallel to CADS Ontario's service model.
- Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based nonprofit offering adaptive ski and snowboard lessons, equipment, and instructor training for people with disabilities; comparable mission, equipment model, and resort-partnership delivery.
- New England Disabled Sports: Nonprofit delivering adaptive ski and snowboard instruction at ski areas in New England, with a multi-discipline adaptive sports portfolio analogous to CADS Ontario's portfolio.
Regional players
- BC Adaptive Snowsports: Provincial CADS-equivalent in British Columbia providing adaptive ski/snowboard instruction at BC resorts. Same CADS-affiliated adaptive snowsports model, different Canadian province.
Broad incumbents
- Disabled Sports USA: National US adaptive sports network supporting a wide range of winter and summer adaptive sports programs; broader portfolio but overlapping adaptive ski instruction and certification mission.
- Alpine Canada Alpin: National governing body for alpine ski racing in Canada and CADS Ontario's partner on the Sport Canada Community Sport for All Grant; oversees broader competitive skiing including para-alpine development.
- Canadian Paralympic Committee: National body overseeing Canada's Paralympic movement, including para-alpine skiing athletes who often originate from CADS-style adaptive ski programs; a higher-level umbrella rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CADS Ontario social profiles
Digital presenceCADS Ontario financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CADS Ontario leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
CADS Ontario funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CADS Ontario M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CADS Ontario
What does CADS Ontario do?
CADS Ontario delivers adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding instruction to people with physical or cognitive disabilities at partner ski resorts across Ontario. The organization provides trained and certified volunteer instructors, specialized adaptive equipment such as sit-skis, bi-skis, mono-skis, and outriggers, and operates multiple weekly program locations during the ski season. It also runs a competitive Learn to Race pathway and a Performance Development Program for para-alpine athletes, alongside a multi-level instructor certification training system.
Is CADS Ontario a public or private company?
CADS Ontario is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CADS Ontario founded?
CADS Ontario was founded in 1981. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CADS Ontario based?
CADS Ontario is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does CADS Ontario make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Annual Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are program Fees, government and Foundation Grants, CADS Apparel Sales and donations.
Who are CADS Ontario's main competitors?
ParaSport Ontario is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are CADS National (Canadian Adaptive Snowsports), Ontario Track 3, National Ability Center, Challenge Aspen and New England Disabled Sports. BC Adaptive Snowsports is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Disabled Sports USA, Alpine Canada Alpin and Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Does CADS Ontario have an API?
No public API is recorded for CADS Ontario.
What industry is CADS Ontario in?
CADS Ontario's product category is Adaptive Snowsports Instruction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAJAK, Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs. Its NAICS code is 611620 and its SIC code is 7997.