8 Skiing Level Explained
Find Your Skiing Level
Pietro M. Dalmasso
+33607933550
pietro.dalmasso@monaco.mc
Use these descriptions to identify the level that most closely matches your current skiing.
|
Level |
Lesson Outline |
|
|
1 |
I have never skied before. |
In this level, you will learn how to use your equipment,
familiarise yourself with sliding down the hill for the first time,
and how to stop using a snowplough. |
|
2 |
Have skied before at some point and can stop. Able to perform a
confident snowplough and slight direction change. |
Level 2 focuses on improving your snowplough turns so that you can control your speed on GREEN slopes, avoid obstacles and go where you want to go! |
|
3 |
Able to link snowplough turns on a beginner slope. |
In level 3, your instructor will help you to turn with your skis in more of a parallel position. This will reduce strain on your legs and allow you to ski faster with more control on GREEN terrain. |
|
4 |
Almost parallel on green runs. Skis are still in a snowplough some of the time. |
A level 4 lesson will refine your turns so that your skis remain parallel at all times. This instills confidence to take your skiing to steeper GREEN terrain and easy RED slopes. |
|
5 |
Completely parallel with no snowplough on all green runs, almost parallel with some snowplough during turns on red |
In this level, your instructor will focus on skills such as edging so that you have more grip while skiing. This will strengthen your ability to control speed and assist you when skiing RED slopes. You may also |
|
6 |
Completely parallel on all red runs, almost parallel on black runs. Starting to ski off piste, small moguls and experimenting in beginner terrain park. |
Level 6 focus on tactics and variations in your turn size so that you can control your speed and feel at ease on steeper RED runs, BLACK runs and off piste terrain. This level will also improve your TERRAIN PARK skills if this is your goal |
|
7 |
Confidently skiing parallel on groomed black runs. Starting to do short parallel turns and experiment in the bumps, trees and powder. Able to ski through intermediate terrain park. |
In level 7, your coach will focus on the efficiency of your skiing on all BLACK runs. You will explore different tactics and movement patterns in the moguls and powder. If the TERRAIN PARK is your goal, your coach will help you with more difficult tricks on larger terrain park features. |
|
8 |
Skis all terrain confidently. Carving all groomed runs, Carving short turns. Confidently skiing mogul lines, trees and powder. Comfortable skiing all terrain parks. |
This level is about strengthening and refining your technique to improve efficiency, performance and understanding in all turn types, on all terrain. What you improve in this level really depends on your objectives, whether it be powder, steeps, moguls, terrain park, carving, freestyle or you just wanted to be guided around the mountain. |
The Story of Isaac
Isaac is 38, Israeli and lives in Tel Aviv.
He has been skiing for
several years and every winter tries to spend a few days in the Alps with
friends. When we ask him what his level is, he thinks for a moment:
“I’d say 6… I’m not exactly sure.”
Isaac can ski.
On red runs in good conditions he skis parallel, controls his speed and feels confident. He has also tackled some black runs, but prefers to do so when the snow is well prepared and conditions are good.
That is why he thinks he is probably a level 6.
But then the more
difficult conditions arrive.
On an icy slope Isaac becomes more cautious. When the gradient increases, he feels he needs to slow down. If the slope is rough or has many bumps, he loses some of his confidence and has to concentrate much more on his technique.
And fresh snow?
That is another story.
Isaac can enjoy himself when he finds a few centimetres of fresh snow and easy conditions, but he does not yet feel truly comfortable off-piste.
During a ski lesson in La Thuile, I ask him: “What level do you think you are?”
Isaac answers: “5?.”
Isaac is right between level 5 and 6.
In good conditions, his skiing corresponds to 6: he tackles all red runs and some black runs when conditions are optimal.
But when conditions deteriorate, ice, steep or rough terrain, some characteristics of the previous level still emerge.
And off-piste skiing is still an area that Isaac wants to learn to manage better.
Isaac therefore understands that choosing your level does not mean asking yourself:
“What is the hardest slope I can manage?”
The right question is:
“In which conditions can I really maintain control while skiing?”
It is an important difference.
Your level is not determined by the most difficult slope you have tackled once, but by your ability to ski safely and with control in the conditions described for that level.
For Isaac, the next goal is clear: consolidate his technique in more difficult conditions and begin developing the skills of the next level.
Isaac’s story shows why it can sometimes be difficult to identify your own level.
Compare your skiing with the descriptions above.
Do not think only about
the most difficult slope you have ever skied: consider the conditions in
which you can genuinely maintain control, confidence and
technique.
If you recognise yourself between two levels, like Isaac, or have no idea, contact me.
We can assess your current level together and build the lesson or programme best suited to your goals.
