Snowboard Teams

 

Mighty Riders – Learn to Ride (Ages 5–7)

New this season, we are excited to introduce a Mighty Riders Learn to Ride program designed specifically for snowboarders ages 5–7 who are new to the sport. This program creates a fun and supportive environment where young riders can build confidence while learning the fundamentals of snowboarding.

• Focus: Building confidence, having fun, and developing a love for being on snow.
• Technique: Riders learn foundational skills including balance, turning, stopping, and basic mountain awareness while becoming comfortable moving around the mountain.
• Environment: Coaches emphasize teamwork, encouragement, and safe riding while creating positive, early experiences on snow.
• Equipment: Riders should bring their own snowboard, boots, helmet, and appropriate winter clothing.

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Mighty Riders - Ages 5 - 9

Team Palisades Tahoe's foundational snowboard program for our youngest riders. Mighty Riders is designed to help athletes build strong fundamental skills, learn to be part of a team, and most importantly discover the joy and excitement of snowboarding. Through supportive coaching and lots of time on snow, riders gain confidence while developing a lifelong love for the sport.

This development program introduces all aspects of snowboarding while helping athletes build a solid technical foundation. Our goal is to help riders explore the mountain and discover what style of riding excites them most—Freeride, Park, or Boarder Cross—while learning safe riding practices, respect for the mountain, and the snowboarder's responsibility code.

• Focus: Adventure, exploration, and progression. Riders build the confidence and skills to explore the whole mountain- trying new terrain and discovering different areas of snowboarding along the way.
• Technique: Focus on building balance, control, and adaptability while riding different terrain and snow conditions. Progressive skill development helps riders grow at their own pace.
• Tricks/aerials: Riders begin exploring small features, jumps, and playful movement on snow while building confidence and creativity.
• Equipment: Snowboards designed for versatility and progression across a variety of terrain and conditions.

Sport Team – Snowboard

Team Palisades Tahoe’s next step after Mighty Riders and a bridge toward Competitive Team programs. This development program is designed for riders who want to continue building strong technical skills while exploring different disciplines of snowboarding in a supportive team environment. Athletes train across Freeride, Snowboard Cross, and Park, while gaining confidence and experience both on the mountain and in entry-level competitions. 

• Focus: Progression, exploration, and all-mountain riding. Athletes build the skills and confidence to ride the entire mountain while exploring Freeride, Boarder Cross, and Park. The goal is to develop well-rounded snowboarders who are comfortable in a variety of terrain, features, and riding styles. 

• Technique: Developing strong fundamentals with an emphasis on control, edge work, speed management, and adaptability across varied terrain and snow conditions. 

• Tricks/aerials: Riders continue progressing on jumps, natural features, and freestyle skills while building confidence in park and natural terrain. 

• Equipment: Snowboards designed for versatility and progression across a variety of terrain and conditions. 

• Competitions: With coach approval, athletes will have opportunities to compete in Palisades Tahoe Freeride Events and gain an introduction to United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association competitions, building experience while preparing for future competitive opportunities. 

 
 

Snowboard Freeride | Park | Pipe | Cross 

Boarder Cross -Snowboard 

Skier and boarder cross, also known as ski cross and snowboard cross (or boardercross), are competitive winter sports where multiple skiers or snowboarders race simultaneously down a course featuring jumps, banked turns, and other obstacles. The goal is to be the first to cross the finish line. These events combine elements of racing and freestyle skiing/snowboarding. 

• Competition Format: Both skier and boarder cross events typically involve multiple racers (usually four to six) starting simultaneously and racing down a course designed to test their speed and technical skills.  

• Course Features: The courses include a variety of features like jumps, banked turns (berms), rollers, and drops, similar to those found in motocross.  

• Strategy and Tactics: Riders must navigate the course strategically, choosing optimal lines and managing speed while also contending with the presence of other racers, which can lead to collisions.  

• Contact: While intentional contact is usually penalized, incidental or unavoidable contact between riders is common in these events.  

• Snowboard Cross History: Snowboard cross, also known as boardercross, became an Olympic sport in 2006.  

• Ski Cross History: Ski cross made its debut at the Winter Olympics in 2010. 

Park-Snowboard 

• Terrain: Can be in natural environments, but primarily involves terrain parks, halfpipes, and groomed runs with features.  

• Focus: Performing tricks, jumps, and aerial maneuvers, often within a controlled environment.  

• Technique: Requires mastery of freestyle skiing techniques, including spins, flips, and grabs.  

• Equipment: Often utilizes shorter, more flexible snowboard with twin-tip design, allowing for riding in both directions. 

• Competes in USASA North Tahoe Series, Futures and NORAMS, 

Freeride – Snowboard 

 

Team Palisades Tahoe is the exclusive Freeride Team for Palisades Tahoe 

• Terrain: Natural, ungroomed slopes, backcountry, off-piste areas. 

• Technique: Requires mastery of techniques including spins, flips, and grabs.  

• Focus: Performing tricks, jumps, and aerial maneuvers, often within a controlled environment.  

• Terrain: Can be in natural environments, terrain parks, halfpipes, and groomed runs with features.  

• Tricks/aerials: While some freeride athletes may incorporate jumps and tricks, the primary goal is to navigate the mountain efficiently and creatively.  

• Technique: Emphasizes speed, control, and adaptability to varying snow conditions and terrain.  

• Focus: Exploration, adventure, adapting to the mountain's natural features, and making dynamic turns.  

• Equipment: Often utilizes larger, stiffer boards designed for powder and varied conditions. 

• Competes in Tahoe Freeride and IFSA events. Far West Region.