The sensation of surfing on snow has created a culture of riders all around the world. Northstar-at-Tahoe introduces a place for anyone who has ever dreamed of being a snowboarder but feared the intense falls or didn’t think they could do it.

The Burton Academy introduces an all new, terrain-based approach to learning how to snowboard. From the moment you walk in the door, your coach will tailor the day to your specific needs. You will get hooked up with the best gear, have an indoor training session, then head out to the terrain. The terrain consists of a mini-pipe, rollers, return walls, banked turns and a perfect slope. These features allow riders to experience going down the fall line without having to stop. The banked turns allow students to experience the motions of a turn without having to initiate the movements on their own. Once students are comfortable with the range of motions they experience in the terrain features, their coach will take them up beginner to intermediate runs to enforce the range of motions they experienced on the terrain based features.

“It’s a place where your progression is their passion,” said Jackson Thomas, a Northstar ski and snowboard instructor.

The academy guarantees that new students will make connected turns at the end of an all day lesson.

“It’s the ultimate learning experience,” said Burton Academy Director Chris Hargrave. “If you want to become a snowboarder, this is the place to do it.”

Snowboarding with the Burton Academy is about more than just a lesson for the day.

“From the subtle details of the gear and clothing they use to unique after-shred opportunities, we want their experience to feel like a first-class seat on a guided tour through a day in the life of a shredder,” Hargrave said.

Part of the academy’s mission is to create a full-emersion experience. The academy has built an exclusive Burton lounge where riders can grab a latte, practice on a balance board, watch movies or just sit back and relax on the comfy purple couches.

“It is a place where you can relax, watch movies, analyze your own riding, etc.,” said Thomas.

First timers to experts can visit the academy and spend a day in the good life. The full-day lessons focus on the body’s movements and make sure the students  feel comfortable on their snowboard.

“The academy uses well thought-out terrain to help you progress quicker than a normal class,” said Thomas

“The lessons try to illuminate the really big falls they would have if they were teaching themselves,” said Kevin McCarthy who has been teaching lessons for nine seasons. “It’s a very hands on experience.”

The lessons are given in a contained environment, eliminating a fear-based mindset.

“It’s a really positive experience to get people snowboarding for the rest of their lives,” said McCarthy.

The Burton Academy has hired some of the most experienced and highly certified instructors from all over the world. Class sizes never exceed four people for a regular lesson, assuring one-on-one attention with their coach. Students can also book private lessons, which can have up to six students with the instructor of their choice.

“It is well respected; very much a big thing in the making” said Thomas.

The Burton Academy at Northstar is currently the only snowboarding academy of its kind in the nation. Along with support from the industry, Hargrave hopes to see huge progress over the next five years.

“It has potential to go all over the world,” said McCarthy.

For more information about beginner or advanced snowboard lessons at the Burton Academy at Northstar, visit www.northstarattahoe.com.