Snowsports

About

Our snowsports program provides private adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for all abilities. Achieve Tahoe seeks to utilize each individual’s abilities to help them find the greatest amount of independence in recreation. 

Achieve Tahoe has a Program Center located at Alpine Meadows at Palisades Tahoe and at Northstar California, in the North Lake Tahoe area of Northern California. Lessons are offered at Alpine, Palisades, and Northstar. 

We are a member school of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). Our PSIA-certified instructors and trained volunteers make skiing or snowboarding possible for anyone with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities.

Lesson Types

We invite and encourage people of all skill levels – first-timers to advanced – and abilities to come take a lesson with us. We can accommodate just about anyone with any disability through our specialized teaching techniques and adaptive equipment.

We utilize each person’s individual abilities to help them experience the greatest amount of independence they can in recreation. The following snowsports lesson types are different methods that can be used to assist participants in gaining such independence.  

Two-Track (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: None)
Two-tracking is stand up skiing on two skis, therefore making two tracks in the snow. Stand-up skiing is for students with a wide range of disabilities. Adaptive equipment and teaching techniques are utilized to help students with balance, coordination, motor control, sequencing, communication, and processing challenges to achieve independence in stand-up skiing.

Snowboard (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: None)
Snowboarding is standing with one’s feet strapped onto one board in a surfing position. Snowboarding is for students with a wide range of disabilities. Adaptive equipment and teaching techniques are utilized to help students with balance, coordination, motor control, sequencing, communication, and processing challenges to achieve independence in snowboarding.

Three-Track (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: None)
Three-tracking is skiing with one leg on a ski and a hand-held outrigger in each hand, therefore making three tracks in the snow. The outriggers assist in balance, stability, and turning while skiing. Instruction is designed to allow for independent skiing on one leg. 

Four-Track and Slider (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: None)
Four-track and slider consists of skiing on two skis and either outriggers in both hands or a slider (walker on skis), therefore creating four tracks in the snow. The outriggers and slider assist in balance, stability, and turning while skiing.

Blind/Low Vision (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: None)
Blind or low vision skiing or snowboarding adapts skiing and snowboarding with verbal, physical, and other cues to ski or snowboard in a safe and supportive environment.  Participants may utilize a variety of adaptive equipment.

Mono-Ski (Age: 12+ recommended | Weight limit: 225 lbs*)
The mono-ski is a seat that is mounted on one ski. The skier uses hand-held outriggers to make turns, stop, and load/unload the chairlift. 

*Mono-skis are rated by the manufacturer for a maximum skier weight of 225 lbs. Skiers may not exceed this weight. 

Bi-Ski (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: 185 lbs**)
The bi-ski is a seat that is mounted on two skis and is a more stable sit-ski than the mono-ski. While it can be skied independently, an instructor may tether from behind to assist with turning and speed control based on the needs of each participant.

**For the safety of the participant and instructor, a bi-skier must weigh no more than 185 lbs.

TetraSki (Age: 4+ | Weight Limit: 185 lbs**) – To book a TetraSki lesson, please call the front desk.

The TetraSki is a seat mounted on two skis and is controlled by a joystick and/or a sip and puff control mechanism similar to most electric wheelchairs. The TetraSki is the most stable bi-ski and is designed for individuals with complex mobility impairments. While it can be skied independently, an instructor will always remain connected via a safety tether and have a remote-control override for safety.

**For the safety of the participant and instructor, a tetra-skier must weigh no more than 185 lbs.

The TetraSki has been made available to Achieve Tahoe thanks to the generosity of Mike and Gina Rayfield and the University of Utah.

Schedule & Rates for Winter 2024-2025

Snowsports lessons are offered December 13, 2024 – April 25, 2025 (conditions permitting).

Reservations will open October 16, 2024. Reservations are required.

If cost is a barrier to your ability to participate with Achieve Tahoe, please apply for financial assistance – we offer both discounted and fully funded lessons. We encourage anyone who needs assistance to apply.

Equipment Rentals

Standard skis, snowboard, boots, and poles can be rented at a discount for Achieve Tahoe lessons at the following retailers:

Alpine & Palisades Rental Shops 50% off

Northstar Rental Shop Complimentary with a scheduled lesson – info will be included in your lesson confirmation email to reserve your rentals ahead of time

Tahoe Dave’s (Olympic Valley, Tahoe City, Truckee, Kings Beach) 50% off

Seizure Policy: Any participant who has experienced any type of seizure in the past 24 months must wear a climbing harness with a retention strap which the instructor attaches to the chairlift when riding.

Sickness Policy: For the protection of staff, volunteers and all other participants, we ask that anyone who has or exhibits any of the following please refrain from participating in our programs or activities:

• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Lice
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Earache
• Chicken Pox
• Congestion
• Cough
• Runny Nose
• Any other contagious illnesses/diseases including influenza or COVID-19
  
  Many of our participants have compromised immune systems, and exposure to viral and/or bacterial infection could have serious consequences. If Achieve Tahoe determines that a participant is too sick to participate, parents or emergency contacts of that person will be notified and are responsible for pick-up within a reasonable time-period.

Cancellation Policy: Please give notice of cancellation at least 24 hours in advance to receive an Achieve Tahoe credit, which can be used towards any future Achieve Tahoe Program.  

If you are sick, or feeling sick, please contact Achieve Tahoe to cancel your reservation as far in advance as possible, and before the start of the program. In the case of illness, you can either:

• Request a credit, which can be used towards any future Achieve Tahoe Program
• Request a refund, minus at 15% processing fee.

Essential Eligibility Criteria for Participation

For the health and safety of our community, in order to participate in the Achieve Tahoe Snow Sports Program, a participant must meet the criteria listed below.

• If the participant has had a traumatic injury, or surgery/medical treatments that affected your activities of daily living in the past 12 months, they can only participate with a doctor’s release stating that they have been cleared to participate in high-risk sports.
• If help is needed with bladder or bowel routine, feeding tube, or administering prescription medications care provider or family member will be present to assist.
• Participant must be able to breathe independently without any medical devices that sustain breathing.
• Sit-down skiers weight limit is 185 lbs. Exceptions will be considered if participant is strong enough to transfer down and up about 12”.
• While strapped in a sit-down ski the participant will unload the chairlift, with assistance, by dropping down as much as 2 feet onto the unloading ramp. In this unloading process, the participant’s hips and back must be able to sustain this jarring.
• For participants with Down Syndrome, the participant must have been examined by a physician for Neurologic Symptoms of Atlantoaxial Instability, found the symptoms to be absent, and has been cleared to participate in high risk sports.

Locations

Alpine Meadows at Palisades Tahoe, Achieve Tahoe Program Center
2680 Alpine Meadows Road, B3686, Alpine Meadows, CA 96146

Olympic Valley at Palisades Tahoe
1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley CA 96146

Northstar Ski Resort
5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA 96161

Sign Up for Snowsports Lessons

Please click on the drop down below that applies to how you would like to sign-up, and follow all instructions to reserve your lesson. All snowsports lessons must be booked in advance.

If you would like to book a lesson on a date that is full, we will be releasing a second wave of reservations on December 6, 2024 at 6pm. For dates that currently have availability, you can book your lesson today. 

If you have questions or need assistance, please call (530) 581-4161 ext. 6, or email [email protected].