Nov — Apr
Winter & Spring
Snowsport skill-building paired with guided reflection. Daily yoga, cold plunges in an alpine lake, team-and-leadership work, and decision-making practice in real mountain conditions.
See what's included
Outdoor mentorship · North Lake Tahoe
Rise above yourself.
Small-cohort mentorship and wilderness experiences that reshape how you lead, decide, and show up — led by Al Travaglini in the High Sierra.
Philosophy
The mountain teaches what a classroom can't.
Altitude Academy is built on a simple idea: sustained personal growth happens at the edge of what you already know — in situations where the stakes are real, the feedback is immediate, and a thoughtful guide is beside you. We combine deep one-on-one mentorship with shared outdoor experience to help you do the hardest thing a person can do: honestly see yourself, and choose to grow.
Real terrain
We use the actual mountains of North Lake Tahoe — not a conference room with a trust-fall exercise. Snow, water, rock, altitude, weather. The conditions are real, so the lessons are real.
Small cohorts
Never more than five people per Summit. Small enough that nobody disappears, big enough to learn with peers. Deep relationships form when there's no crowd to hide in.
Inner & outer
Every program is designed to move inward and outward at the same time — physical challenge paired with structured reflection, so skills you build on the mountain translate directly to the rest of your life.
Flagship Program
Summit to Self
A 12-week online mentorship cohort for people ready to ascend their inner mountain. Weekly one-on-one and group sessions covering leadership, self-esteem, emotional awareness, and the interpersonal skills that matter most. Capped at five participants per cohort.
- 12 weeks of structured personal growth curriculum
- Weekly group sessions + 1:1 mentorship with Al
- Maximum of 5 participants per cohort
- Optional in-person integration weekend in Lake Tahoe
- Lifetime access to the Altitude community
Learn more & apply
$4,500 / cohort
Next cohort starts June 1, 2026
In-Person Sessions
Seasonal experiences in the High Sierra.
Short-form outdoor mentorship weekends and week-long immersions, held in North Lake Tahoe throughout the year.
May — Oct
Summer & Fall
Water sports, hiking, beginner mountain biking and golf, cooperative team-building, camping, and daily practice in stewarding wild places. Built for connection, creativity, and earned fun.
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The Mentor
“My goal is to give people real opportunities to grow — to deepen their connection with themselves, and create meaning in their lives through challenge, adventure, and honest reflection.”
Al has spent over a decade guiding outdoor experiences in the Sierra Nevada — an AASI Level 3 Snowboard Instructor with certifications in freestyle, adaptive instruction, and teaching children. He has mentored hundreds of participants, and built Altitude Academy to bring real mentorship and real terrain together in a way he couldn't find anywhere else.
Read Al's full story Questions
Common questions, answered.
- What is Altitude Academy?
- An outdoor mentorship practice based in North Lake Tahoe, led by Al Travaglini. We run small-cohort programs that use adventure and guided reflection to build self-awareness, leadership, and emotional resilience.
- Do I need outdoor experience?
- No prior outdoor experience is required for any of our programs. Summit to Self is fully online. Seasonal sessions are designed to meet people where they are — we build skills and provide guided experiences at any comfort level.
- How many people are in each cohort?
- Summit to Self cohorts are capped at 5 participants, intentionally. In-person sessions vary but stay small enough for real mentorship — never the feel of a big group retreat.
- Where exactly do you operate?
- In-person sessions happen throughout North Lake Tahoe, California. The Summit to Self program runs entirely online and participants can join from anywhere.
Ready to ascend your inner mountain?
Apply to the next Summit to Self cohort, or reach out about upcoming in-person sessions. Small groups. Real challenge. Actual change.