Where skills meet adventure.
Sierra Nevada Off Road Academy teaches you to drive any rig - Jeep, Truck, Rivian, or SxS - with confidence and care for the trail. Hands-on instruction across California and Nevada.
RIVIAN· TOYOTA· FORD· JEEP· LAND ROVER· POLARIS· CAN-AM·
RIVIAN· TOYOTA· FORD· JEEP· LAND ROVER· POLARIS· CAN-AM·
RIVIAN· TOYOTA· FORD· JEEP· LAND ROVER· POLARIS· CAN-AM·
The Curriculum
Pick your terrain. We'll meet you there.
From your first crawl to leading the convoy. Every class is hands-on, vehicle-agnostic, and EV-friendly.
EV Class
GPS / Mapping How-To - Zoom
Intro to Driving Off Road
Intro to Four-Wheeling - Zoom
Intro to Recovery
Off-Road Radio Basics - Zoom
1:1 Private Training
Recovery + Trail Leader
Trail Leader
GPS / Mapping How-To
Plan, track, and navigate using the most popular GPS apps. Account setup, map layers, trip planning, and real-time navigation tips.
Intro to Four-Wheeling
Fundamentals of off-road driving - 4x4 systems, terrain types, vehicle prep, and best practices. Built for newcomers.
Off-Road Radio Basics
Practical intro to trail comms with GMRS or HAM. Set up, program, and confidently use your radio for safe group communication.
Behind the Wheel
Mentors who've earned every mile.
More than 50 years of combined instruction and 60 years of off-road wisdom - without the attitude.
CJ Arnesen
Lead Instructor18 years of field instruction and 25+ years of off-road experience. Found his off-road spirit guiding his dad's car through snow and wrenching on Jeeps before he could drive solo. From vintage Willys to the latest electrics - tradition meets innovation.
Jason Green
Lead Instructor35 years of field instruction and 38 years of off-road experience. From a first trail run in a '74 CJ5 to extreme rock buggies and high-speed desert runs. Hands-on mentor fueled by curiosity and community. Voice behind the "Wheeling, Wine and Whiskey" podcast.
Why Train With Us
Skills that last, taught the right way.
Hands-on instruction for every skill level and every kind of rig - from first-timers to built trucks, stock crossovers to EVs.
- Practical, experience-based instruction You learn by doing - real trail decisions with a coach beside you, not a lecture hall.
- Welcoming, inclusive, EV-friendly community New drivers and EVs are as welcome as built rigs - we teach whatever you bring.
- Safe, responsible, sustainable off-roading We're Tread Lightly! trainers, so you'll leave the trail as good as you found it.
- Real instruction, real connection, zero attitude Decades of off-road wisdom, shared without the ego - just encouragement, no pressure, and room to ask anything.
The Calendar
Upcoming classes.
California and Nevada dates. Small groups fill quickly - book to hold your spot.
Before You Go
Frequently asked.
Everything you need to know before your class - what to bring, vehicle requirements, schedule, and refund policy.
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Sierra Nevada Off Road Academy (SNVORA) offers professional instruction to help drivers build confidence, safety, and technical skills off-road. Our Hollister events are entry-level classes open to all 4x4 and AWD vehicles, including EVs. You'll learn from seasoned instructors with decades of experience in off-road driving, recovery, and trail leadership.
Topics covered include:- Trail etiquette and safety basics
- Vehicle setup before hitting the trail
- Reading terrain and approaching obstacles
- Understanding your vehicle and how it performs
- Q&A time with instructors
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Drivers & Passengers must be 18 or older. Passenger pricing varies by class - check the "add-ons" section of your selection for details. All participants and passengers must be registered at least 7 days prior to the event (please email if inside this window). No on-site changes are allowed. While we love pets, they are generally discouraged for a class day.
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Your registered 4x4/AWD vehicle should arrive with at least ½ tank of fuel. EVs should arrive with at least 50% state of charge.
Pack along:- Lunch, snacks, and plenty of water (no alcohol permitted)
- Layered clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent
- A camp chair for lunch break
- Optional: personal recovery gear, radio, or tire gauge - we'll recommend what's worth buying during class
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Plans change, and that's fine. Reschedule or cancel yourself up to 48 hours before class. Cancel earlier than that and you'll automatically get a transferable credit, good for 12 months. Prefer a refund minus transaction fees instead? Just email training@snvora.com. See our full cancellation and refund policy for the details.
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Eligible vehicles: any 4x4 or AWD vehicle (Jeep, Rivian, Toyota, Bronco, Land Rover, SxS, etc.). No modifications required - stock vehicles are welcome. Some advanced or specialized events list their own equipment requirements, noted on the class details. Off-roading involves inherent risks: our instructors will do everything possible to help you avoid damage, but any vehicle damage is the responsibility of the owner and their insurance. SNVORA carries liability insurance for the event but does not cover participant vehicles.
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A typical Hollister one-day class runs:
- 8:30 - 9:00 AM Check-in & orientation
- 9:00 - 9:30 AM Safety briefing & basic overview
- 9:30 - 12:00 PM Morning trail ride with instruction
- 12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch break and Q&A
- 1:00 - 2:45 PM Afternoon trail ride and skills practice
- 2:45 - 3:00 PM Wrap-up and farewells
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You'll review and sign the waiver electronically as part of booking - no printing or uploading needed. Want to read it ahead of time? View the full waiver below. If you'd rather sign on paper, download it, sign, and send it back before your class day.
Get In Touch
Plan your class.
Tell us about your rig and what you want to learn. We'll match you to the right class.