How the Idea Came to Be

The idea for an "in your own vehicle" off-road driving school grew out of a lifetime of competitive driving, backcountry exploration, and living in mountain towns like Mammoth, Twain Harte, and Pinecrest.

As a kid, I built and raced just about anything with an engine and four wheels. That passion evolved from radio-controlled cars to go-karts, drag racing, autocross, and eventually off-roading wherever life took me.

After graduating from college, I began spending much more time at my family's cabin in Pinecrest. My first SUV—a two-wheel-drive Toyota 4Runner equipped with decent all-terrain tires—became my gateway to exploring the incredible landscape around me. I would study maps, find places I had never been, figure out how to get there, and head out to see what I could discover.

As a lifelong hiker, I uncovered countless hidden gems this way. Over the years, exploring remote roads, trails, and landmarks taught me how to safely travel off-road on my own. When you're adventuring solo, you learn quickly, and I've made nearly every mistake in the book and learned valuable lessons from each one. As an avid snowboarder, I also spent years driving to Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley through every type of winter condition imaginable. Those experiences taught me the realities of snow and ice driving—often through hard-earned lessons.

The first real spark for the school came during the COVID years while I was staying in Pinecrest. One winter brought a healthy amount of snowfall, and I became friends with several women in their 50s and 60s who were spending extended time in the neighborhood. All of them owned capable AWD or 4WD vehicles with good tires, but they were understandably nervous about driving on snowy and icy roads. Since they lived in the Bay Area and rarely visited during winter, they simply lacked experience in those conditions.

After having nearly identical conversations with three different people in the same week, I decided to help. I bought a few orange cones from the local hardware store, set up a course in a snow-covered parking lot, and hosted a free winter driving class.

Watching someone go from nervous and uncertain to confident and comfortable behind the wheel is incredibly rewarding. By the end of the class, everyone was having fun, and a few of the ladies were even practicing controlled slides and ice donuts!

The next stage came after my mother sold the Pinecrest cabin and I moved to Twain Harte full-time. Having spent years exploring the area, I had developed a deep knowledge of the local backcountry roads and trails. Friends and family frequently came to visit as a break from the stress of city life.

Before moving to the mountains, I purchased a capable 4WD vehicle because I needed something that could handle whatever Mother Nature decided to throw at me. No matter the season, I would take visitors to beautiful, lesser-known places, and the journey there was often just as enjoyable as the destination itself. Eventually, those trips expanded to scenic tours, backcountry adventures, and mushroom hunts, with friends following along in their own vehicles.

More than once, people told me, "You're really good at off-road driving, and you're good at teaching it too. Why don't you do this professionally?"

The final piece fell into place during my first winter living full-time in Twain Harte. That year brought significant snowfall, and I had two friends—and one friend's daughter—involved in serious winter driving accidents that totaled their vehicles. During that same winter, I helped recover numerous neighbors and delivery drivers who had slid off icy roads near my home.

Whenever I assisted someone, I tried to share practical tips that could help them avoid finding themselves in the same situation again. It became clear that many people owned capable vehicles but lacked the knowledge and confidence to use them safely in challenging conditions.

As I researched the industry, I discovered that very few off-road driving schools focused on teaching people in their own vehicles. Most programs use heavily modified rental Jeeps, and the experience is often centered around the adventure itself rather than developing skills in the vehicle you actually drive every day.

I discussed the idea with several of my local off-roading friends, and every one of them thought it was a great concept. People don't just need a guided tour—they need practical, hands-on training in the vehicle they own, with the tires, equipment, and setup they use in the real world.

That realization became the foundation for this school—and that's how we got here.

Courtney

• The capabilities and limitations of your current vehicle setup in a safe, controlled environment.

• How to choose the proper driving line and why it matters for safely navigating challenging terrain and changing conditions.

• When, why, and how to use features such as 4WD, low-range gearing, traction control systems, locking differentials, and drive modes.

• Learn when momentum is your friend—and when it can get you into trouble.

• Master proper braking techniques to maximize traction and maintain control in a variety of off-road situations.

• Learn how to assess a stuck vehicle situation, perform a safe self-recovery, and understand what equipment is actually necessary.

• Discover the essential gear and supplies you should carry when traveling off-road in remote areas.

• Learn how to safely and effectively use recovery equipment such as winches and traction boards (when applicable).

• Practice responsible trail etiquette and Leave No Trace principles so you can help preserve public lands and leave the outdoors better than you found it.

• Reliable, CA Street-Legal vehicle in excellent working condition (no fluid leaks, major issues etc.)

• Drivetrain: AWD or 4WD

• Tires and tread depth: All terrain (AT), Rugged Terrain (RT), or Mud Terrain (MT) tires with a minimum tread depth of 6/32” (will verify)

• Full-size spare tire

• Working seat belts for all passengers

Courtney Risdon is the Head Instructor for our Private Off-Road Training Courses. Here is why he is the right person to learn these skills from: 

• 20+ years of competitive driving experience in Go Kart, Drag Racing, and Autocross

• 30+ years of solo off roading, camping, a hiking experience, most of which was in a stock 2WD Toyota 4Runner with decent tires

• Multiple time participant in Porsche and Richard Petty Driving Experiences

• Interpretive Guide Certification (2024) from National Association for Interpreters. The NAI teaches guides a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us.

• Has led thousands of satisfied guests on guided Off-Roading, Photography, and Fungi Tours

• Lifelong nature lover with a deep knowledge of forest ecology a local history

• Safety first approach to teaching, and CPR/First Aid Certified.

• Phone call, text, or email us to check date availability, and verify that your vehicle safely qualifies to join our tours.

• Sign up and pay via website

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