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. 

The Achieve Tahoe Program Center is located at Alpine Meadows at Palisades Tahoe in the North Lake Tahoe area of Northern California. Lessons are offered at Alpine Meadows, Olympic Valley, and Northstar. We are open daily for lessons from December 3, 2021 through April 29, 2022 (conditions permitting). 

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**)

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 2021-22

Achieve Tahoe is open for snowsports lessons from December 3rd, 2021 – April 29th, 2022.

Reservations will open November 2nd. Reservations are required.

If cost is a barrier to your ability to participate with Achieve Tahoe, please apply for a scholarship.

Holiday Premium Rates for Winter 2021-22

Dec 18th – Jan 2nd
Jan 15th – 17th
Feb 12th – 20th

Alpine Meadows: $150 Half Day; $300 Full Day
Northstar: $160 Half Day; $320 Full Day
Olympic Valley: $300 Full Day

Equipment Rentals

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

Alpine Meadows Rental Shop 50% off

Olympic Valley Rental Shop 50% off

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

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

COVID-19 Guidelines

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.

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 can be independent of supplemental oxygen for a sustained period of time at high elevations.
• 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

COVID-19 GUIDELINES: Achieve Tahoe requires all participants, employees, and volunteers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and show proof of such vaccination, prior to attending any in-person Achieve Tahoe activities. Read complete COVID-19 Guidelines here.

Reservations will open November 2nd. Complete the following steps to book your lesson.

Step 1: Please complete and return the following forms. 

1. Participant Information Form
2. Liability Releases (be sure to fill out releases 1, 2, 3, and 4)
3. Northstar Liability Release

Send your completed Northstar forms by email to [email protected]

Step 2: If you are 12 or over, email or text proof of COVID-19 vaccination to [email protected] or (530) 581-4161.

Step 3: Starting November 2nd, we will email you a link to sign up!

Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance.

If you have questions or need assistance with making a reservation, please contact us:

(530) 581-4161 x6

[email protected]

We are happy to assist you in making a reservation!

If cost is a barrier to your ability to participate with Achieve Tahoe, please apply for a scholarship.