For Jeff, skiing was life itself. From age two, when he took his first ski lesson at Wyndham Mountain in upstate New York, Jeff found a deep passion in skiing that shaped his entire life, leading him to move to Lake Tahoe. In the winter, Jeff skied by day and tuned skis for other aficionados by night. Jeff’s joy was infectious and effortless, endearing him to everyone he met.

Jeff believed deeply in the power of skiing; he felt skiing should be available to everyone. When Jeff passed away in 2018, his mother, Dale, knew that what had transformed Jeff’s life could transform the lives of others. She decided to start an Achieve Tahoe fundraiser in honor of Jeff to share his love of skiing with everyone, not just those who could afford it or who had bodies traditionally considered capable of such a sport.

As Jeff’s birthday approaches this October, Achieve Tahoe connected with Dale for an interview to celebrate Jeff and his passion for skiing.

Achieve Tahoe: Hearing about Jeff from his loved ones, it’s easy to tell he exuded a passion for skiing and the outdoors. When did you realize he was so passionate about skiing? 

Dale: When Jeff started skiing at age two, his dad and I would secretly watch him on the rope tow. Jeff would fuss about walking in his ski boots to us, but he didn’t complain when he was with his instructors. At about age three or four, he was ready for the chair lift. At age eight when he joined his ski racing class, Jeff found his favorite aspect of skiing: getting into a skiing tuck and racing down the mountain as fast as he could.

As Jeff began competing on weekends across New England, he preferred downhill racing in favor of slalom or giant slalom races. He would win downhill races, setting the fastest time. I remember when he was clocked at zooming down the slope at 70 mph!

Achieve Tahoe: Why do you think Jeff found such a passion in skiing?

Dale: Being brought up in upstate NY, Jeff loved being outdoors and valued cold weather over the hot summers. He enjoyed playing soccer, baseball, and tennis, but felt a certain passion toward skiing. He was excellent at it, and he made lifelong friends on his Windham Ski Team.

Achieve Tahoe: As Jeff’s birthday approaches this year, how do you think Jeff would want to be remembered and have his life celebrated?

Dale: This October 18th will be the eighth birthday we will be celebrating without Jeff. I love birthday celebrations and always made a huge deal over Jeff’s birthdays and half-birthdays.

Jeff would probably go camping for his birthday, as he did when he grew older and lived with his girlfriend, Brynn. Jeff would most likely say to me, “Thanks for helping get more people on the slopes so they could have the tremendous feeling I always had skiing. I loved how I felt zooming down those mountains. And mom, I hope this is helping you to feel better and more at peace with my death.”

Jeff will always be remembered as a guy who loved life. He was so happy! His friend told me shortly after he died, “One day in your life was like three in Jeff’s. He made every moment count!”

Achieve Tahoe: It sounds like Jeff absolutely embodies the spirit of Achieve Tahoe. What is it about Achieve Tahoe that made you and Jeff’s loved ones decide to remember and celebrate him with this memorial fundraiser?

Dale: After Jeff died, I told my friend, Jamie, I wanted a fundraiser for him. I told her I needed his death to somehow help others – Jeff would want that. She gave me the number to call Camille Cauchois at Achieve Tahoe. Camille could not have been kinder, sweeter, or more helpful. She knew Jeff and his girlfriend, which meant the world to me. She helped me set up his memorial page, and she was always there to listen to me through all my tears.

When we could, my daughter and I visited Achieve Tahoe and we were so lovingly taken on a tour to see all the equipment Achieve Tahoe had. We met a young skier in a wheelchair who was glowing as she had just finished skiing. She was so eager to tell us all about it!

Throughout the years of knowing and working with him, Haakon, the executive director, has become more like a friend to me than the gentleman in charge of the program. He is another angel who has been so patient, tender, and caring to me as I cry to him about my beloved, Jeff. When my daughter and I visited a second time, we were lucky again to meet another fantastic addition to Achieve Tahoe, Sophie. Just this past month, when I was in California from Philly, spending time with Haakon and Sophie was at the top of my list. Sophie is so positive, friendly, creative, and compassionate. I am so grateful and blessed to have them taking care of me, and always helping with Jeff’s annual birthday fundraiser.

Jeff Pearlstein passed away unexpectedly in April 2018. His memory will live on within Brynn, the love of his life, his beloved sister, Maura, his mother, Dale, and his father, Gary and his wife, Tami, his two brothers, Danny and Drew, and countless other family and friends. And, it will live on with every gift made to Achieve Tahoe in his name. Giving the gift of skiing to those who never thought they’d have the chance to experience the slopes firsthand will, thanks to you, be his legacy.