Terrain, ability and group
The Start-Up Mountain Camp is an early-season program at Palisades. It is available to beginner skiers ages 5 to 13, and season passes and equipment rental are not included.
Mountain Camp at Palisades and Summiteer at Alpine include eight ski lessons (half-day or full-day options) for ages 3 to 13. We try to keep the same instructors with the same groups throughout the program, which runs from January through March. The program is available for all ski levels but does not include season passes or equipment rentals.
Ski Levels for Mountain Camp and Summiteers: Morning Midweek Programs ages 3-4 all ability levels. Afternoon Midweek Programs ages 5-10 all ability levels. Weekend Programs ages 5-13 all ability levels. Start-Up Programs are for beginners only ages 5-13 and are a great way to get your kid ready for the Sunday Programs.
Group Placement: The first day and a half is spent getting children into the appropriate groups, which is based on age and ability level. After the second week, we will not be making group changes. Instructors are focused on building techniques using appropriate terrain to develop abilities in anticipation of more challenging terrain. Our focus is on skill, using all-mountain terrain.
- Sport
- Ski
- Minimum age
- 3 years
- Adults only
- No, all ages
- Coaching
- Eight ski lessons (half-day or full-day options) for ages 3 to 13. We try to keep the same instructors with the same groups throughout the program, which runs from January through March.
Package
Included
- Mountain Camp at Palisades and Summiteer at Alpine include eight ski lessons (half-day or full-day options) for ages 3 to 13.
- We try to keep the same instructors with the same groups throughout the program.
Not Included
Season passes (Ikon pass is required and not included in Mountain Camp or Summiteers price)
Equipment rentals
Lunch (Start-Up and Sunday students will need to bring their lunch with their name clearly labeled and will not be able to go to the cafeteria to purchase food.)
Snacks are not provided, so please send a snack in your child's pocket.
Accommodation, travel and itinerary
Getting There
Palisades Drop-Off & Pick Up Times: Sunday All-Day 8:45am (we leave promptly at 9am), pick up 2:30pm. Wednesday Morning and Friday Morning 9:15am (we leave promptly at 9:30am), pick up 12pm. Wednesday Afternoon and Friday Afternoon 12:45pm (we leave promptly at 1pm), pick up 3:30pm.
Groups meet outside on the snow by the magic carpets at Palisades Kids and say goodbye to their parents. Groups leave promptly at designated times.
Alpine Drop-Off & Pick Up Times: Sunday All-Day 8:45am (we leave promptly at 9am), pick up 2:30pm. Wednesday Morning and Thursday Morning 9:15am (we leave promptly at 9:30am), pick up 12pm. Wednesday Afternoon and Thursday Afternoon 12:45pm (we leave promptly at 1pm), pick up 3:30pm.
Parking Reservations are required this season. You will need a parking reservation for all Sunday Mountain Camp and Summiteers programs. Learn more and make a reservation at parkpalisadestahoe.com.
Dates and prices
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5 – Dec 13, 2026Start-Up Mountain Camp @ Palisades: December 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2026, read from the 2026/27 Mountain Camp/Summiteers calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 4 days | 597 USDStart Up, 4 days, $597 — early-season program for beginner skiers ages 5 to 13 | Available | Register on company website |
| Jan 6 – Mar 3, 2027Wednesday Mountain Camp @ Palisades / Summiteers @ Alpine: January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 24; March 3, 2027 (no program February 17), read from the 2026/27 calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 8 days | 670 USD8 days, $670 (Wednesday AM/PM, Friday AM/PM at Palisades; Wednesday AM/PM, Thursday AM/PM at Alpine); Sunday Full Day is $1,803 | Available | Register on company website |
| Jan 7 – Mar 4, 2027Thursday Summiteers @ Alpine: January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11, 25; March 4, 2027, read from the 2026/27 calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 8 days | 670 USDThursday AM or PM Summiteers at Alpine, 8 days, $670 | Available | Register on company website |
| Jan 8 – Mar 5, 2027Friday Mountain Camp @ Palisades: January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 26; March 5, 2027, read from the 2026/27 calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 8 days | 670 USDFriday AM or PM Mountain Camp at Palisades, 8 days, $670 | Available | Register on company website |
| Jan 10 – Mar 7, 2027Sunday Mountain Camp @ Palisades / Summiteers @ Alpine: January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 21, 28; March 7, 2027 (no program February 14), read from the 2026/27 calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 8 days | 1,803 USDSunday Full Day, 8 days, $1,803 (Mountain Camp at Palisades or Summiteers at Alpine) | Available | Register on company website |
| Apr 3 – Apr 11, 2027Spring Mtn Camp @ Palisades: April 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2027, read from the 2026/27 calendar PDF. | 2026/27 | 4 days | 773 USDSpring Camp, 4 days, $773 — Spring Mountain Camp at Palisades | Available | Register on company website |
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 7, 2026.
Good To Know
2026/27 Mountain Camp Program at Palisades: Start Up 4 days $597; Wednesday AM 8 days $670; Wednesday PM 8 days $670; Friday AM 8 days $670; Friday PM 8 days $670; Sunday Full Day 8 days $1,803; Spring Camp 4 days $773
2026/27 Summiteers Program at Alpine: Wednesday AM 8 days $670; Wednesday PM 8 days $670; Thursday AM 8 days $670; Thursday PM 8 days $670; Sunday Full Day 8 days $1,803
New for 2026/27: Spring Mountain Camp will be available for purchase alongside all other seasonal programs.
All children must be at eligible age by December 1st, 2026. No exceptions. A copy of the child's birth certificate may be required.
Payment Plan: Flexible payment plans are available for 2026/27 seasonal programs. Enrollment May 6 – August 31: 25% due at registration, 25% October 6th payment, 50% remaining balance. September 1 – October 5: 50% due at registration, 50% remaining balance. October 6 or later: paid in full.
100% cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by October 1, 2026.
Parents must be comfortable that their children may ride chairlifts alone, with other children, or adults. Please read our chairlift riding policy and review the chairlift safety video.
Mountain Camp and Summiteers rarely cancels, and we ski in all types of weather. If the mountain closes prior to the start time of the program, that day will be cancelled, and no refunds will be issued. If one or more classes are cancelled due to mountain closure, we will offer no more than one make-up day the week after the respective program's scheduled last day.
It is particularly important for attendance to be consistent, or your child may be dropped from the program. You may only participate on the day and time you registered for, and we do not offer makeup days due to absence.
Equipment: All students must have the following: eye protection, helmet, pass, sunscreen, gloves or mittens, skis and boots, and appropriate snow clothing.
Still have questions? Email us at mountaincamp@palisadestahoe.com or summiteers@palisadestahoe.com.