Youth Program: The Winter Discovery Center

Give local youth the chance to learn snow science, winter safety and cross-country skiing.

The Tahoe XC Winter Discovery Center yurt is home to Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) winter programs. Every winter, over a 10-week period, the Winter Discovery Program hosts anywhere from 400-900 participants. The curriculum abides by national Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), focusing on hands-on learning, monitoring, hypothesis and data collection. The WDC experience has brought sport and science together for a truly unique hands-on learning experience at Tahoe XC since 2008.

Students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade arrive at the Winter Discovery Center yurt, pick up their ski equipment from the Tahoe XC lodge and head over to the yurt to begin their lesson. After a 1.5-hour science lesson focusing on winter ecology, teachers and parent volunteers lead self-guided cross-country ski tours on the groomed trails at Tahoe XC.

The Winter Discovery Center has been declared a certified SnowSchool site by the Winter Wonderlands Alliance and is one of TCCSEA's cornerstone youth programs. We believe that the benefit of hosting SWEP's Winter Discovery Program is invaluable to our community. Investing in Tahoe's local youth by providing affordable access to outdoor education aligns with the core of TCCSEA's mission to connect community and nature.

The cost of hosting the Winter Discovery Program this winter is $9,000. TCCSEA relies on donations, grants, and fundraising events to bring this dynamic curriculum to Tahoe XC.

Your donation to TCCSEA today will directly support local youth, outdoor education, and The Winter Discovery Center.

Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that holds a concession agreement with Tahoe City PUD and maintains permits to use Tahoe Conservancy and California State Parks land. Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association is responsible for bringing year-round, free and affordable youth programs to Tahoe XC. Please explore the variety of year-round programs offered here, and consider donating to The Winter Discovery Center today.