Freeride skiing and snowboarding are on the verge of something historic. With potential inclusion in the 2030 Winter Olympics and the sport’s most prestigious competition (the Natural Selection Tour) bringing its first-ever Ski Super Session to Palisades Tahoe this winter, the discipline is experiencing unprecedented growth and visibility.
With enhanced coaching and an approach that bridges freestyle and freeride disciplines, Team Palisades Tahoe Freeride is building the future of the sport. If you want your child training at the epicenter of freeride progression, this is where that journey begins.
Why Palisades Tahoe for Freeride?
Not every mountain can produce elite freeride athletes. Most don’t even come close.
Palisades Tahoe has been the proving ground for freeride since the sport’s earliest days. Legends like Scot Schmidt, Shane McConkey, and JT Holmes forged their careers here. Current stars like Connery Lundin, Ross Tester, and Michelle Parker continue to dominate the Freeride World Tour while calling Palisades home. The question isn’t whether this mountain creates champions, it’s how.
The answer is simple: terrain, culture, and commitment.
The Terrain Advantage
Eight peaks. World-class steeps.
Many of the most challenging lines at Palisades are visible from chairlifts and base areas. Filmmaker Scott Gaffney once described it as “a coliseum where anyone can watch.” This visibility creates a culture where athletes push each other to progress. Where reputation is earned through clean execution and creative line choice.
But it’s not just about the terrain itself, it’s about learning to navigate consequence. When athletes train on features that demand commitment and technical precision they develop decision-making skills, risk management, and mental toughness that translate directly to competition and backcountry environments.
Year Round Development
Deep Sierra snow and an extended season mean more days on snow, more reps, and more opportunities to progress. Team Palisades Tahoe freeride programs run December through early April for foundational athletes with competitive teams continuing development through spring, summer, and fall camps.
This year-round approach ensures continuous progression to maintain momentum even during the off-season.
Where Freestyle Meets Freeride
This season, Team Palisades Tahoe brought on a dedicated freestyle coach to work alongside our freeride coaching staff. This partnership creates a comprehensive development pathway where athletes build trick fundamentals in a controlled terrain park environment and, once mastered, take those skills to natural features.
The best freeride athletes in the world aren’t just steep skiers, they’re complete athletes who can stomp technical tricks in variable conditions. Athletes like Connery Lundin throwing cork 7s off Alaskan spines or Michelle Parker blending style and consequence on FWT venues exemplify this evolution.
Coaching Difference
Our coaching staff brings decades of combined experience developing athletes from beginner to world-class levels. They understand terrain management, competition preparation, film shooting, and importantly, how to unlock each athlete’s unique potential.
Coaches work individually with athletes to develop personalized progression plans, identify strengths and areas for growth, and create pathways to competitive success. Whether your child is learning to navigate steep terrain for the first time or preparing for Junior Freeride World Championships, they receive expert guidance tailored to their goals.
Proof of Excellence: Seven Athletes Headed to the Junior World Championships
Results speak louder than words. This January, seven Team Palisades Tahoe athletes will compete at the 2026 Freeride Junior World Championships in Kappl, Austria, after qualifying last season. These athletes will be representing an incredible 46% of the entire U.S. contingent.
Nearly half of Team USA at the world’s most prestigious junior freeride competition comes from our very own program.
Our Athletes Competing:
Ski Men:
- Zebedee Schreiber
Ski Women:
- Hannah Epsteyn
Snowboard Men:
- Cass Jones
- Kai Cortez
- Tristan Bumann
- Sloan Hanepen
Snowboard Women:
- Willow Newton
Qualifying for the FJWC is one of the highest achievements in junior freeride. Invitations are extended only to the top-ranked athletes in the world, and the competition is known for launching the careers of future stars in big-mountain skiing and snowboarding.
This accomplishment is a direct result of world-class terrain, expert coaching, year-round development, and a culture that breeds excellence. It demonstrates what’s possible when elite coaching meets the ultimate training ground.
Beyond the Program
Team Palisades Tahoe is something bigger than coaching and competitions. It’s about fostering lifelong connections and unforgettable experiences.
Athletes train alongside teammates who share their passion. They’re mentored by coaches who’ve lived the freeride lifestyle. They’re inspired by professional athletes who still call Palisades Tahoe home. They become part of a legacy that stretches back decades and a future that’s being written right now.
This community creates accountability, motivation, and lifelong friendships. Athletes push each other to progress while supporting each other through challenges. They celebrate each other’s successes and learn from shared experiences.
Parents consistently report that the relationships their children build through Team Palisades Tahoe are as valuable as the athletic development itself.
Ready to Start the Journey?
Freeride is exploding. The Natural Selection Tour is coming to Palisades Tahoe. The 2030 Olympics are on the horizon. And Team Palisades Tahoe is training the athletes who will define the next era of the sport.
If your child has the passion, we have everything else: world-class terrain, elite coaching, proven programming, and a culture that’s been developing freeride athletes for over four decades.
Whether your child dreams of competing on the Freeride World Tour, starring in ski films, representing their country at the Olympics, or simply becoming the best skier or snowboarder they can be, this is where that journey begins.
