The Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program is a non-profit (501(c)3), all volunteer-run snowsports program dedicated to teaching Northern Nevada children how to ski and snowboard, learn mountain safety and experience success through participation.  The venue is the City of Reno owned Sky Tavern Park (see the “History” tab) and is exclusively used by the Program during weekends each winter.  The lifts are owned by the non-profit corporation and the entire ski operation is run by the corporation, governed by a Board of Directors.

Sky Tavern is an 8 week program that starts the first weekend in January each year.  Children receive a 2 hour lesson from our PSIA/AASI trained snowsports school and have the rest of the day to free ski or ride.

Since Sky Tavern is an all-volunteer organization, parental involvement is a necessity.  Parents are asked to work a two to three hour shift each day, then have the rest of the day to ski or ride.  Positions include:  kitchen, parking, lift checkers, bus supervisors, etc.  Adults have the opportunity to take lessons from our snowsports school each afternoon.

Instructors to teach the children are always needed.  Intermediate level and up skiers/riders are taught how to teach children to ski and ride by our PSIA/AASI certified training staff.  Not only is this a rewarding opportunity, but our instructors actually improve their own skills very quickly. 

There are two ways to participate in the program:

1) Children, aged 4 and above, are transported to the ski area by their volunteer parent.  The child has a two hour lesson each day, with the remainder of the day to free-ski/ride.  This option offers a unique family skiing experience.

2) Children 9 years of age and older, who do not have a participating adult, are transported to the resort via bus.  Each child receives a lesson and then has the rest of the day to ski or ride.  They are returned to the pick-up location at approximately 4:00pm.  The pick-up locations are:

*Galena High School
 *Wooster High School
*Reed High School
*Spanish Springs High School
*O'Brian Middle School
 * McQueen High School

The Sky Tavern lodge has a full food service department, where breakfast and lunch can be purchased at very economical rates.  Season meal passes can be purchased, which will offer a child a full lunch for each day of the season.  In addition, our terrain park boasts the “Snack Shack” for those mid-afternoon munchies.

At Sky Tavern, children progress through the various PSIA/AASI levels (see “Levels” tab) and are not allowed to access terrain that is above the level they are currently qualified for.

As children progress, there are groups they can join to further their snowsports experience such as junior instructor, ski patrol cadet and race team.  Our race team competes in the Tahoe League and is a great starting point for those children that want to race on their high school team.

Sky Tavern also offers an adaptive ski school for children with physical and mental disabilities.  Specially trained staff is available to help these children experience the thrill of successful participation in winter sports.


*PSIA is the Professional Ski Instructors of America
*AASI is the American Association of Snowboard Instructors
 

PROGRAM POLICIES