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
First Timer. 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 first in a straight glide and then making some gentle turns and being able to stop under control.
2 Early Learner - I can sometimes make left
and right ‘snowplough’ turns on the lesson slope. You may not always be in control and at this level we will
start making turns of different shapes and speeds. You will be able to come to a stop, in control, from half way up the lesson
slope by the end of this level. You will be able to use the rope tow unassisted getting off safely.
3
Learner - I can link many snowplough turns, changing direction, turn shape and
speed comfortably. We will make turns from the top of the lesson slope and show you how to use the
poma lift on the main slope. You will start to influence the shape of your turns by actively flexing and extending your joints.
You will ski on the main slope under supervision, and will make controlled plough turns higher up than we had been
on the lesson slope. We will show you how to use ski poles. Our goal is to get you to recreational standard.
4 Beginner - We have signed you off at Recreational Standard and you can practice skiing the main slope on your own and in control while
making turns from top to bottom. You are comfortable using the Poma lift un assisted and always ski safely on the main slope. We will start to let the skis go into a parallel shape when traveling across
the slope and vary your speed always under control. With some practice you can join us on one of our "First Week in the
Alps" courses.
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.
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What You
think about your skiing, and, What We see!
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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. 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. You may be thinking
of taking an Level 1 Instructor course.
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 easy off-piste slopes.
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. 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. You 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. You are
probably able to, or have, passed 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 okay on one ski and can make
rhythmical short or long radius turns.
10 Early
Expert – I am a life long skier and wish I could ski more often.
You can ski all
terrain comfortably but are perhaps limited in speed and confidence in some areas. To improve you will need greater dynamics,
practice on steeper fall line moguls with an increased range of absorption and extension, make higher speed GS freeride turns
in powder/ variable snow conditions and generally master a solid technique. You are probably interested in race training,
steep couloirs, instructor exam technical requirements, freeride performance and higher speeds on piste. If you teach you
are at, or training for, L2 exams and perhaps are getting 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 or touring. 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 the
Euro Speed Test. You are getting close to being able to ski well whatever the conditions confidently and with ease.
12 Athletes / Full Cert Instructors & Coaches - I am a fluid skier with a unique style.
You most likely make a living from skiing or ski most
days, exploring different styles and forms of snowsport. You may have have competed in free style, National championships
or FIS level Alpine racing competitions. If you teach you are in the top few % of your governing body and probably train other
instructors. You are an inspirational skier.
13 World Class Skiers
If you are this good
you wouldn't be looking at our website !!
