Every winter enthusiast enjoys getting up on the mountain, no matter their ability level. But, when you’re visiting somewhere new or looking to level up, your ability level is important. We’ve put together a helpful guide to identify your ski and snowboard levels. Understanding the differences in ability levels will help you navigate the mountain for a smooth and fun-filled day. It’s also helpful for when you’re ready to level up. First-timers looking to learn the fundamentals to advanced skiers and riders trying a new trick, you can never stop improving your ability. Taking skiing or snowboarding lessons at Ski Apache is an excellent way to enhance your skills.
LEVEL 1
SKIERS
First timer? To start, you’ll want to learn the fundamentals of skiing:
- Sliding
- Stopping
- Turning
- Riding the lift
SNOWBOARDERS
If this is your first time hitting the slopes, you’ll want to begin by learning the fundamentals:
- Sliding
- Traversing
- Riding the lift
- Proper Stance
- Equipment
- Reading terrain
- Traversing to a stop
- Avoiding hard falls
Let us help you nail down the basics so you can learn and grow to enjoy a lifetime of shredding the mountain.
LEVEL 2
SKIERS
You’ve got the basics down and can ski in a cautious wedge on the easiest slopes. Next on the list:
- Gain confidence and improve control
- Learn linked and round wedge turns
- Learn how to stop on green terrain
SNOWBOARDERS
By now, you understand the fundamentals and know-how to perform basic maneuvers with skidded traverses on toe and heel side, as well as skid from a traverse to a stop. Next up:
- Develop tow and heel skills
- Balance
- Speed control
LEVEL 3
SKIERS
At level 3, you should be able to ski with confidence on all green trails and be able to make round wedge turns. Now it’s time to:
- Execute parallel turning by gradually reducing the size of your wedge
SNOWBOARDERS
At level three, you should be comfortable negotiating green terrain in a series of skidded traverses and cautious edge changes and elementary turns. Now it’s time to:
- Begin linking turns
- Varying your turn shape and size with rhythmic movements
LEVEL 4
SKIERS
Now you can ski confidently on all green trails and ski cautiously on some blue trails. Your next goals to conquer are:
- Starting turns with a wide parallel stance
- Gaining more confidence on blue trails
SNOWBOARDERS
Now you are able to link turns on green terrain with confidence and control your speed and turn shape. Your next goals to conquer are:
- Moving toward more difficult terrain
- Elementary, fun freestyle movements such as small jumps and ollies
LEVEL 5
SKIERS
You can ski the blue trails with wide-stance parallel turns. Now you want to learn to:
- Develop independent leg actions
- Steer both feet through turns
SNOWBOARDERS
You have mastered all green terrain and begun exploring some of the easiest blue terrains. Now you’re ready to:
- Shred more difficult blue terrain
- Learn how to carve on green terrain
- Introduce varying conditions
- Improve switch riding
LEVEL 6
SKIERS
You can ski parallel on smooth blue trails and use a pole plant when turning. Your next goals to check off are:
- Skiing in a natural parallel stance
- Meeting changes in snow conditions and terrain
- Developing the ability to carve more and skid less
SNOWBOARDERS
You’re gaining confidence and begging to carve turns on blue terrain. Your next list of goals to check off are:
- Increasing proficiency in varied conditions
- Exploring terrain features
LEVEL 7
SKIERS
At this level, you can ski parallel with a functional stance while controlling your speed and rhythm in small bumps on blue and easy black terrain. You can also carve effectively on blue terrain. At this point, you’ll learn to:
- Control direction in varying conditions
- Control speed in varying conditions
- Become more comfortable on entry-level black terrain
SNOWBOARDERS
At this level, you are now skidding cross-under turns, riding and turning switch and riding terrain with small bumps. You are confident on all blue terrain and are ready to learn to:
- Increase your ability to carve
- Explore the easiest black terrain
- Have fun exploring freestyle movements
LEVEL 8
SKIERS
You can ski confidently on almost all terrain levels. Now you want to hone your skills and:
- Develop your tactical skills
- Explore the most difficult terrain
SNOWBOARDERS
You are carving dynamically on all blue terrain and are now ready to:
- Perform on black runs
- Learn more advanced spins
- Jump in the park
- Take off and land switch
- Carve in the bumps
Why Should I Know My Skiing or Snowboarding Ability Level?
Ski areas have a variety of different terrain levels to enjoy, from green circles to blue squares to black diamonds and up. Knowing your ski and snowboard ability levels will help you choose the best trails to ride. Knowing your ability will also help keep you safe, set goals to improve, meet equally-skilled skiers and riders, and choose the right gear for yourself. If you’re planning on taking lessons, being clear about your ability level can help you to choose the correct level of lesson. That way you won’t end up taking a lesson that’s too easy, or above your current ski or snowboard level, and ensures you’ll gain the most out of your experience.
Discover Your Skill Level
Our guide helps you easily discover your skill level. When you gain a better understanding of the skiing and snowboarding ability levels it opens the doors for more fun and fulfillment. If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, lessons are one of the greatest ways to reach your goals, and further develop your techniques. There’s always room for improvement, no matter your ski or snowboard levels.