Last summer, a young Achieve Tahoe participant seemed interested in trying a paddleboard, but kept backing out. He doesn’t use words to communicate, and staff and volunteers couldn’t tell what was making him hesitate. Over several days, they tried different ways to help him get out on the water.
On his last day, he got up from the sand, walked over to a board with a volunteer, and hopped on. The volunteer looked surprised, then paddled him out onto the lake. Watching from shore, his mom had tears in her eyes.
“This is the best day ever!” she said.
Giving more people the chance to have a day like that is exactly what Achieve Tahoe is here to do.
The team at Achieve was kind enough to answer a few of my questions for this spotlight to get a deeper dive of what makes this Tahoe institution tick.
A Tahoe day more people can share
A lot of us live here because we love the outdoors. Plenty of us have made some sacrifices to keep that connection close. A few quick ski laps over lunch, a dip in the Truckee River, a hike with a view of the lake. Having all of that just outside the door is a huge part of why we’re here.
Achieve Tahoe helps children and adults with disabilities experience that side of life here, too. That might mean a sit-ski, a different way of teaching, or a lesson built around what gets someone excited to head outside.
Achieve Tahoe’s roots go back to 1967, when Jim Winthers brought together a group of Vietnam veterans with disabilities. They taught themselves to ski and found ways to adapt equipment so they could get out and make some turns. Nearly 60 years later, that determination to figure things out still guides the organization.
Making the day work for the person
A first day with Achieve starts with a welcome, getting set up with the gear needed for the activity, and meeting an instructor. From there, the instructor gets to know the participant: what they enjoy, how they communicate and learn, and what they want from the day.
A ski lesson might turn into a Pokémon hunt or involve making turns around colorful flowers if that’s what gets someone excited. Some participants need a quiet start and time to get comfortable. Others are full send from the get-go. The instructor adjusts the teaching, pace, and equipment around the participant, with as much independence as possible as the goal.
The format varies by program. It might be a single outing, a few lessons spread through the season, or a short series.
Private ski and snowboard lessons can be booked for a half day or full day, with participants able to return for more lessons through the season. In summer, a paddle outing can be three hours, while Adventure Camp fills a day with hiking, archery, and climbing.
Beyond ski season
Skiing is how many people first come across Achieve, but the lessons and outings keep going after the snow melts. Sailing, climbing, archery, hiking, paddling, water skiing, and horsemanship give participants plenty of ways to spend a summer day outside.
One of the newer programs is Strides Through Resilience, an equine program for people living with and beyond cancer. The team wanted to offer a place to build confidence and connection through time with horses. The 2026 cancer survivorship offering ran as two sessions, meeting once a week for two hours.
What still gets in the way
Getting around in the Sierra can take some work. Big storms, icy walkways, rugged trails, and sandy beaches can all complicate a day outside. For someone who needs adapted equipment or an accessible route, that outing can take considerably more planning and support.
Then there’s the cost. Specialized equipment, instruction, travel, and lodging can add up quickly. Achieve offers financial assistance to help with that, including discounted and fully funded ski and snowboard lessons.
If you’re unsure whether a program will work for you or someone in your family, start by talking with the team. They can explain what to expect, help you work through the participant forms, and point you toward financial assistance if needed.
The people who make it happen
More than 300 active volunteers help keep Achieve Tahoe running. They teach lessons, help with equipment, spread the word, and raise money to support the programs. There are ways to get involved on and off the hill, and you don’t need prior adaptive sports experience. Achieve provides training, with the skills and time commitment depending on the role. Take a look at the volunteer opportunities.
With winter approaching, the team is looking forward to seeing familiar participants and volunteers back on the mountain. The chance to ski together and catch up with people who return year after year is a big part of what they’re excited about.
More days like that
If you’ve got time to give, look into volunteering. If you can chip in, donations help cover the equipment and instruction that make these days possible. And if you know someone who might enjoy a day with Achieve, pass the program information along. They might not know what’s available to them.
The boy on the paddleboard got there with a few days of patience, people willing to keep trying, and a volunteer ready when he was. His mom called it the best day ever. Helping more families say that is a pretty good reason to get involved.