Each ski school has its own interpretation of "levels",
here is what we use when trying to put people into the correct groups both Inside and Out.
1
This is my first time. I have never put skis on before. In this group we will introduce
you to your ski equipment, get you comfortable on snow and have you going up and down the lower section of the lesson slope
at the Snow Centre.
2 I am able to stop on the lesson
slope using the ‘snowplough’. I can make some direction changes, but don’t always feel in control.
In this group we will start using the tow rope to get part-way up the lesson slope. In addition to straight gliding we
show you how to turn in one direction and then stop.
3 I
can comfortably link left and right ‘snowplough’ turns. In these sessions we will start
making turns of different shapes and speeds. You will be able to come to a stop, in control, from the top of the lesson slope.
You will be able to use the rope tow unassisted and we will show you how to get on the poma lift.
4 I can link many snowplough turns, changing direction, turn shape and speed comfortably.
You will start using the poma lift un-assisted. You will start to influence the shape of your turns by actively
flexing and extending your joints. We will start to let the skis go into a parallel shape when travelling across the
slope. We will ski on the main slope, and will make controlled plough turns higher up than we had been on the lesson slope.
Our goal is to get you to recreational standard.
You are now at Recreational
Standard. You can ski the main slope on your own and in control while making turns from top to bottom. You are comfortable
using the Poma lift and always ski safely.
Here is where “levels” get a bit tricky…. Especially
if we haven't seen you ski. Try to be honest in your assessment. When we are coaching Inside your level is not
that important as we can work with a wide range of ability levels easily during the same session. It is more important for
us to harmonise groups by ability when skiing Outside due to the longer runs and selection of terrain.
What you think about your skiing and What we see!
5 Early Intermediate - I ski confidently on blue runs, green runs are
fun and easy. My skis are parallel when I feel confident, but the plough comes back when it gets steep, narrow or icy. I struggle
on reds, and probably haven’t tried moguls, or black runs.
Your ‘snowplough’
is noticeably smaller and you are able to finish turns with your skis in a parallel position. You may have done a week’s
skiing, had some lessons and progressed quite rapidly. Or you may have done a few weeks skiing and can now parallel comfortably,
without any ploughing, down a blue run. The plough comes back when conditions get tricky although it does not stop you getting
around the mountain. You can easily change your direction and slow down as required. You look reasonably comfortable on the
main slope at The Snow Centre.
6 Intermediate
- I can ski most red runs when the conditions are good. I like going fairly fast, but struggle when it gets bumpy, steeper,
icy, or the snow gets deep.
You have probably done more than a few weeks skiing. You can always
parallel on blues and almost always on reds, going fast on reds unless the conditions are difficult. You can easily get around
the mountain but your technique could be better. You may have tried moguls, black runs and the un-pisted terrain at the side
of the slope, but you struggled. The main slope at The Snow Centre is easy for you but we will be looking to challenge
you. We will work on developing your skills by getting you able to turn by either twisting, edging or pressuring
the skis and then combine these skills in different ways to tackle different terrain and conditions.
7 Advanced Intermediate - I can ski all reds and get down most blacks as well, providing
they're not too steep or bumpy.
You are now able to link confident parallel turns on blues
and reds and are comfortable skiing on most black runs. Steeper and icy slopes may cause you to lose a little of your style,
but you are still able to get to the bottom in one piece. You have now started to get the feeling of ‘carving’
your turns and this has brought a whole new dimension to your skiing. You are happy on-piste but would like to ski on other
slopes, including off-piste, bumps fields and other variable conditions. You may feel that you are not improving any
longer, have gotten stuck and that your technique could use some work. The main slope at The Snow Centre is a training
ground for you and you probably would get bored just skiing up and down there. We will work on fine tuning skills to
make you an all-round advanced skier so that you can confidently tackle different terrain and conditions.
8 Early Advanced - I ski all the pisted runs on the mountain with
a good degree of technique and style. I am comfortable on all pistes and seek out steeps, moguls and chopped up snow as a
fun challenge, I have tried skiing off-piste but am only beginning to get to grips with it.
You
can carve clean tracks on blue runs when the conditions are good with only a little skidding. You probably have skied for
several years and have 10 weeks or more of experience and may have done clinics or advanced group lessons. You are keen
to get better on icy pistes and in variable conditions. Your progress may be hampered by a lack of technique, fitness or confidence.
You may be reliant on pushing your heels or picking up the inside ski to initiate your turns. When you think you are carving
you may not be actively piloting the skis.
9 Advanced
- I can ski most places that are serviced by the lifts. I am a confident experienced skier and like to go fast on reds, blacks
are no problem and I enjoy off-piste.
You have probably skied more than 16 weeks and have
taken numerous lessons. Off-piste is no longer a struggle, and you really have the feel for carving turns of all sizes on
all pistes and enjoy the thrill that it gives you. At this stage you may be considering some professional coaching, whether
it be race, off-piste or instructor training to further improve your technique. You are probably able to pass an L1 instructor
course. You can make changes to your skiing when asked, you can perform drills that demonstrate control of pressure, edge
and rotation. You can balance and ski ok on one ski and can make rhythmical short or long radius turns.
You are able to carve effectively from turn to turn on nicely groomed snow but are not so consistent when
the snow is icy or un-groomed. Skiers in this group can get down steeps, moguls and freeride terrain with confidence and a
semi-consistent technique but will lose some control in the more difficult areas and are looking to develop performance
towards skiing steep slopes and fall line mogul runs with good technique.
10
Early Expert – I am a life long skier and wish I could ski more often.
This group consists
of skiers who can ski all terrains comfortably but want to be able to ski higher speeds through greater dynamics, ski steeper
fall line moguls with a greater range of absorption and extension, make higher speed GS freeride turns in powder and variable
snow conditions and generally master a solid technique. Skiers in this group would cover the basics of race training, steep
couloirs, instructor exam technical requirements, freeride performance and higher speeds. You could easily pass L2 exams and
perhaps are ready for ISIA level.
11 Experts -
I ski lots during the season and am competent in most areas.
Forgotten how
many weeks you have skied. All terrains and speed are done competently. You can adjust turns through subtle changes in
range, rate, duration and distribution of inputs. You are testing yourself by trying out snowboarding, telemarking and
other disciplines. You are humble and know that there is loads more to learn and can feel subtle differences between skis
and how they are tuned. Equipment doesn’t make a big difference to your performance and you can ski slalom skis
in deep snow or fat skis on piste. Instructors may be at L3 level and perhaps training for ISTD technical exams and Euro Speed
Test. You are getting close to being able to ski well whatever the conditions confidently and with ease.
12 Athletes / Professionals / Full Cert Instructors & Coaches
You most likely make a living from skiing or ski most days, exploring different styles of skiing and are probably
very good at a second discipline. You may have have competed in freeskiing competitions, FIS level Alpine Racing competition
or freestyle skiing disciplines such as moguls, half pipe, big air, slope style or rails. You always ski fluidly with a unique
style.
