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.