Kids' learn-to-ski weekend program

Parents and guardians, and sometimes schools, community groups or recreation programs.

Course fees per child for a block of weeks, with extras such as rentals or lift tickets passed through at cost or small margin. Your income depends on how many kids you enrol and your instructor costs.

• Organizing groups and schedules
• Teaching or coaching children
• Communicating with parents
• Hiring and leading instructors

• Commercial general liability insurance for a group program, plus a parent waiver process, and check what the hill requires
• Working with children usually means background checks and supervision policies, so verify your provincial rules
• If you hire staff, check workers' compensation (WCB or WSIB) and employment rules in your province
• Weather, low snow and cancellations can affect revenue, so decide on refund and make-up policies upfront
• Check whether your municipality or the hill needs a permit or agreement, and when GST/HST registration applies
• Quebec programs may have extra rules, including French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of your program, insurance, instructor hiring, registration systems and any agreement with the hill. Check what the hill requires before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on enrolment and the number of groups you run. Weather, low snow and cancellations can affect revenue, so decide on refund and make-up policies upfront.

Check insurance and waiver requirements, background checks and supervision policies for working with children, and WCB/WSIB and employment rules if you hire staff. Also check permits or agreements with your municipality or the hill, GST/HST, and Quebec language rules.