What is Soft Start™?

HCSC’s Soft Start™ is revolutionary learn-to-snowboard program featuring specialized terrain designed to let the first-time snowboarder experience success the first day on snow. With this program, you are 100% part of normal camp, but when it comes time to snowboard, you will be placed in a specialized group, riding unique terrain designed to MAKE YOU A SNOWBOARDER!

Do you or someone you know want to learn how to snowboard this summer?

Soft Start™ is the perfect opportunity to learn snowboarding the fast, fun, and easy way. The 7-day Soft Start™ program is the most comprehensive learn-to-snowboard program on Earth. High Cascade Soft Start™ is offered to both youth and adult campers during the first two sessions.

Eat, breathe, and sleep snowboarding this summer. Become a snowboarder by immersing yourself the Soft Start™ and High Cascade way…ANYONE CAN DO IT!

Why Soft Start™?

It’s easy!

  • Warm weather – No need to freeze! Plus, when you’re warm, your muscles are more cooperative.

  • Soft snow – Nature’s crash pad. Face it, you’re gonna fall, so why not do it on soft snow?

  • Terrain Based Learning Soft Start is offered earlier in the summer when there is more beginner terrain available.

  • Fun and professional HCSC and AASI trained coaches Some of the best in the biz.

  • Small group size 5 riders or less per coach.

  • Perfect summer learning terrain Accessed by two high-speed quad chairs.

  • Off-snow learning opportunities Video analysis, trampolines, air bags, and skateboarding.

A young snowboarder at high cascade summer camp at mount hood, oregon

Become a competent rider in one session:

  • Understand your snowboard and stance

  • Stop and turn toeside and heelside

  • Link turns together, under control

  • Be able to explore the whole mountain

  • Experience intro-to-freestyle terrain (maybe even slide a small funbox!)

  • Catch your first air

  • Ride fakie (backwards)

  • Make new friends

  • HAVE FUN in summer camp environment!

Should you be in the Soft Start™ program?

Soft Start™ is for kids and adults newer, or brand new to snowboarding. Maybe you’re someone who has never snowboarded or who has been riding a few times but are not fully comfortable linking turns yet. This program will help you dial in the basics, and get more comfortable on a snowboard.

  • Maybe you’ve never even stepped foot on snow?

  • Perhaps you’ve tried once or twice, but you never got the hang of it?

  • Maybe you ski and have always wanted to successfully try snowboarding?

  • Perhaps you’ve been turned off by the blistering cold and hard, icy winter slopes?

No matter what your situation is, our coaches will have you snowboarding with a smile in no time.

Are you a beginner linking turns and ready to advance your skills further?

If you already know how to link turns down a blue (intermediate) run, you’ll find that the Soft Start™ program will not progress your skills as efficiently as being in a “regular” coaching group. If you’ve been snowboarding more than a few times, you’re likely ready to be placed into a regular coaching group that goes into the park almost immediately. 

a female snowboarder learns to snowboard with her coaching group at hCSC

Each session, we have approximately 30 coaching groups with 6-8 riders in each group. The coaching groups are broken out by ability, so even if you feel like you’re kind of a beginner, you’ll be placed in a coaching group with other riders that are at a similar ability level. Upon registration you’ll fill out your ability form and we’ll take care of the rest!

Still not sure if you should register for Soft Start™ or not? 

A group of snowboarders eat lunch during a day of High Cascade summer camp on Mount Hood

Call or email us. We can guide you in the right direction!

How do I get into Soft Start™?

Register for one of the first two sessions and choose the Soft Start™ option (if you don’t see it when you register, that means it’s full).