1. Agreement to these terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Altitude Academy website and services, including Summit to Self (our online mentorship cohort), Ascents (our in-person outdoor experiences in North Lake Tahoe, California), and any private mentorship Al Travaglini may offer (collectively, the "Services"). By visiting our website, contacting us, registering for a program, or paying for a service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use our Services.

These Terms are a binding agreement between you ("participant," "you," "your") and Altitude Academy, operated by Al Travaglini ("we," "us," "our").

2. About our services

Altitude Academy offers:

Summit to Self — a 12-week online mentorship cohort delivered via video conferencing, private group communication, and structured curriculum. Cohorts are capped at 5 participants.
Ascents — in-person outdoor experiences in North Lake Tahoe, California, combining adventure activities with guided reflection and personal development. Formats vary by season (snowsports, hiking, water sports, etc.).
Private mentorship — custom 1:1 coaching arrangements, by inquiry.

Program descriptions, durations, pricing, and schedules on the website are current as of the date listed and are subject to change. We will not change the terms of a program you have already paid for without your consent or, if not feasible, a refund.

3. Eligibility

Summit to Self is designed for participants aged 13 and older. For participants under 18, registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian, who agrees to these Terms on behalf of the participant and provides consent for the participant to take part in the program, including video group sessions, 1:1 calls with Al, and communication within the private cohort channel. The parent or legal guardian remains legally responsible for the participant throughout the duration of the program, and represents that they have the authority to enroll the participant and consent on their behalf.

Ascents may be open to minors in family or youth formats. A parent or legal guardian must register a minor, complete all required waivers, and be present or reachable during the Ascent as required by the specific program.

Participants must be physically and mentally able to engage in the activities of the program they register for. If a participant has medical conditions, physical limitations, allergies, or other health considerations that could affect participation or safety, these must be disclosed before the program begins.

4. Registration and accounts

When you register for a program, you must provide accurate and complete information (name, email, phone, billing address). You are responsible for keeping this information current; that is how we will reach you with cohort details, session links, and logistics.

Registration is not complete until payment is received in full (or, for programs offering installments, until the applicable deposit is received and cleared).

5. Payment, pricing, and taxes

All prices are stated in U.S. Dollars. Program fees are set out on each program page and confirmed at checkout. Payment is processed through Stripe, a secure third-party payment provider; we do not store your full payment card information.

5.1 Summit to Self

The program fee is $4,500 USD, payable in full at the time of registration to reserve your spot in the cohort. Unless otherwise stated, fees include all cohort sessions, 1:1 time with Al, curriculum, recordings, access to the private cohort channel, and lifetime alumni community membership.

5.2 Ascents

Ascent pricing varies by format, length, and group size. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Ascents require a 50% deposit to reserve your spot, with the remaining balance due one week before the scheduled start date. Ascent fees generally include mentorship, guided activities, yoga and reflection sessions, and meals as specified in the program description. Travel to and from North Lake Tahoe, lodging (unless specified), personal gear, trip insurance, and incidentals are your responsibility.

5.3 Taxes

Prices displayed are exclusive of any applicable sales, use, or other taxes, which may be added at checkout depending on your jurisdiction. You are responsible for any taxes applicable to your participation.

6. Cancellation and refund policy

6.1 Summit to Self

More than 20 days before cohort start: full refund
Between 10 and 20 days before cohort start: 50% refund
Within 10 days of cohort start, or after the cohort begins: no refund

6.2 Ascents

Ascent cancellation terms are communicated in your booking confirmation and vary by program, but generally: the 50% deposit is non-refundable once paid (it reserves your spot in a small-group program); the remaining 50% balance becomes non-refundable one week before the scheduled start. If you need to cancel, contact us as early as possible; we will do our best to transfer your spot or credit you toward a future Ascent where reasonably possible.

6.3 Our cancellation

If we cancel a cohort or Ascent before it begins (for example, due to insufficient enrollment, instructor unavailability, or circumstances beyond our control), we will refund you in full or offer to credit your payment toward a future program at your option.

6.4 Weather and operational changes (Ascents)

Outdoor programs adapt to conditions. If a specific planned activity becomes unavailable due to weather or safety considerations, we will substitute a comparable alternative activity. This does not entitle you to a refund; the overall program continues. If severe weather makes the entire Ascent impossible to conduct, we will reschedule or credit your payment toward a future Ascent.

7. Code of conduct

Altitude Academy is a respectful, inclusive environment for honest growth work. By participating, you agree to:

Treat other participants, staff, and the natural environment with respect and care
Respect the confidentiality of what is shared in cohort sessions and private channels (see Section 8)
Follow safety instructions from Al and any guides during Ascents
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, threats, or any behavior that threatens the safety or well-being of others
Refrain from drug or alcohol use that impairs your ability to participate safely (Ascents are alcohol-free during scheduled activities)

We reserve the right to remove any participant from a program whose behavior violates this code of conduct or threatens the safety, comfort, or growth of others. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

8. Confidentiality of cohort conversations

What is shared in Summit to Self sessions, private Telegram conversations, and Ascent group discussions is intended to stay within the cohort. Participants agree not to share personally identifying details of other participants' contributions outside the cohort without their explicit permission. This is essential to the trust that makes the work possible.

9. Assumption of risk (Ascents and in-person programs)

Outdoor activities involve inherent and significant risks. By registering for and participating in an Ascent or any in-person Altitude Academy program, you acknowledge and accept that such risks include, but are not limited to:

Physical exertion; hiking, snowsport, water sport, and climbing activities that can result in strain, injury, or death
Exposure to weather, altitude, sun, cold, heat, and lightning
Uneven or unstable terrain, rocks, ice, snow, tree wells, avalanche, and natural hazards
Water hazards including drowning, hypothermia, and submerged obstacles
Wildlife encounters
Transportation to and from program locations
Equipment failure or inadequacy
The acts or omissions of fellow participants, third parties, or yourself
Delay or inability to receive prompt medical care

You expressly accept and voluntarily assume all such risks, known and unknown, as a condition of participation. You are responsible for assessing your own fitness and health to participate, for disclosing relevant medical conditions, and for exercising sound judgment during the program.

A separate written waiver and release of liability will be required before participation in any in-person Ascent. That waiver is a standalone legal document and may contain provisions that go beyond these Terms.

10. Release and limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, and in consideration of being permitted to participate, you hereby release, waive, and discharge Altitude Academy, Al Travaglini, and any guides, contractors, or associates assisting in program delivery (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or related to your participation in our services, including but not limited to claims for personal injury, property loss, or death, whether caused in whole or in part by the Released Parties' negligence or otherwise, except to the extent that such claims arise from the Released Parties' gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Our total aggregate liability to you, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or any other legal theory, shall not exceed the total amount you paid to Altitude Academy for the specific program giving rise to the claim.

We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the outcomes of participating in our programs. Personal growth is individual and depends on your engagement.

11. Medical and emergency

In the event of a medical emergency during an in-person Ascent, you authorize Altitude Academy and its guides to summon emergency medical services and, where reasonably necessary, to administer basic first aid. You agree to be responsible for any costs of emergency medical treatment or evacuation on your behalf. We strongly recommend that Ascent participants carry personal health insurance and consider a travel or trip insurance policy that covers backcountry emergencies.

12. Intellectual property

All curriculum, written materials, session structures, and original content created by or for Altitude Academy are the intellectual property of Altitude Academy. You may use these materials for your own personal growth. You may not reproduce, distribute, publicly display, or teach them commercially, nor create derivative works based on them, without our prior written permission.

Feedback, suggestions, and testimonials you share with us may be used by us in our marketing or program improvement unless you explicitly object.

13. Recording and participant content

By joining a Summit to Self cohort, you consent to the recording of group video sessions. Recordings are used to give cohort members the ability to revisit sessions and are not shared outside the cohort or used for marketing without your explicit consent.

Content you share in the private cohort Telegram channel (posts, comments, messages) remains your property. By posting, you grant Altitude Academy a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display your contribution within the cohort channel for its intended purpose.

14. Third-party services

Altitude Academy uses third-party tools to deliver its services, including Stripe (payments), Cloudflare (hosting and email), Resend (transactional email), Zoom (video conferencing), and Telegram (cohort channel). Your use of those services is also subject to their own terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the acts, omissions, or outages of these third parties.

15. Privacy

Our handling of your personal information is described in our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

16. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to our services at any time if you violate these Terms. Termination for cause does not entitle you to a refund.

17. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Altitude Academy, Al Travaglini, and any associated guides and contractors from any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of your violation of these Terms, your violation of applicable law, or your intentional misconduct during a program.

18. Disclaimers

Our services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the fitness of our programs for any particular purpose, their uninterrupted availability, or the specific outcomes you may achieve. The growth and insights you experience depend on your own engagement, effort, and circumstances.

19. Governing law and dispute resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws provisions.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services will first be addressed through good-faith direct discussion between the parties. If the dispute cannot be resolved within 30 days, it will be submitted to binding arbitration in Placer County, California, conducted under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in court for intellectual property or confidentiality violations. You waive any right to participate in a class action or class arbitration against Altitude Academy.

20. Miscellaneous

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. Our failure to enforce any provision at any time does not waive our right to do so later. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any program-specific waiver or agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and Altitude Academy regarding our services.

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our programs, legal obligations, or business practices. When we make material changes, we will update the "last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you directly. Continued use of our services after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

21. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email info@altitude-academy.com.

Altitude Academy
c/o Al Travaglini
North Lake Tahoe, California, USA