Ski Levels

Refer to your Skill Tracker from last year or use this guide to accurately enrol yourself in the appropriate level for the first class.  Please be honest with your assessment; if adjustments are needed please speak with your instructor.  Keep in mind that you progress through several levels over the course of your program, especially in the beginner and novice phases.  The Snow School reserves the right to move students between classes & programs to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Beginner

Have you skied before?  No...Level 1
 Goal:  To develop basic balance, stopping & turning on gentle terrain and to learn safe use of surface lifts.

Yes, a few times...Level 2
Goal:  To make consistent snowplow turns on gentle slopes and to stop with control at will.  We will review surface lifts and introduce chairlifts.

Intermediate

Are you tentative on skis?  Yes, most of the time...Level 3
Goal:  To build confidence and speed control on green terrain and review safe use of chairlifts.  To begin to bring skis parallel.  Previous chairlift experience required.

Yes, but only on steeper terrain...Level 4
Goal:  To ski more of the mountain while developing edging skills & lateral balance.  Turns start with a wedge and finish with skis parallel.

Do you consistantly ski parallel?  Yes, on gentler terrain...Level 5
Goal:  To develop steering & edging skills to ski parallel on all terrain.  To improve rhythm and control on steeper slopes.

Advanced

Do you ski parallel with confidence?  Yes, when the grooming is good...Level 6
Goal:  To consistently ski parallel through the whole turn on all slopes.  Continue to build rhythm with pole plant and maybe experiment with varied terrain.

Yes, all the time...Level 7
Goal:  To increase confidence and form while skiing the whole mountain and refining ski performance.

Yes, with speed, power and grace...Level 8
Goal:  Dynamic skiing in all conditions and situations.  Creating pure carved turns of varying radii.