Author Archives: Freedom Snowsports

If you are thinking about sharing your lessons, here is a helping hand to figure out how best to communicate your current skiing ability level so that we can tailor sessions to best match your needs.

Day 1 Beginner

Never skied before, never put skis on before.

Day 2 Beginner

Can handle equipment, putting skis on and taking them off on the slope, and able to straight line snow plough controlling speed in a straight line but only on a nursery slope.

Day 3 Beginner

Can control direction with a snowplough turn on the nursery slope only.

Day 4 Beginner

Can control various sizes of snowplough turn and control speed with the shape of the turn on some green runs out on the mountain away from the nursery slopes.

Novice

Can snowplough turn using all shapes and sizes of turn, as well as controlling speed with the shape of the turn on all green slopes. Can use all lifts (drag & chair).

Early Intermediate

Can control speed with the shape of the turn, making a series of linked turns where the turns start with a snowplough and then finish the end of the turn with skis becoming parallel. Performed on green and blue slopes.

Mid Intermediate

The skis are almost parallel, there is a small snowplough at the top of the turn but the skis naturally steer parallel through most of the turn. Can ski on all types of blue slopes from easier to more difficult blue slopes.

Upper Intermediate

The skis are parallel through all turns, all the time. The skis may be skidding and the use of edging is basic. Perhaps the skier is not using a pole plant yet, or maybe intermittent use. Can ski on all types of blue slope, and some red slopes.

Early Advanced

The skis are parallel through all turns, all the time. Skiers can use a well-coordinated pole plant for timing, and the turns are becoming smoother and more rhythmical. The skis sometimes carve, leaving tracks with 2 clean lines in the snow around some of the turn. Can ski on all blue slopes, and most red slopes including the steeper choices.

Advanced

Skiers are able to ski smoothly steered arcs; choosing between carved or skidded turns where appropriate and can use a well-coordinated pole plant. As well as skiing various radii of turn on a variety of slopes including the more challenging when in good conditions. Can ski all types of marked slopes (blue to black).

All Mountain

Can cleanly carve on all blue terrain, turning from edge to edge without skidding. Can ski a wide variety of round, skidded turns on all pistes, all gradients, and in all conditions.
Perform a fall line descent on an easy bumps field, in control, in good posture, with a well-timed pole plant.
Perform continuous, linked, rhythmical turns in fresh snow off of the piste, leaving smooth round tracks.
Descend a piste covered with uneven, soft, cut up snow, making continuous linked rhythmical arcs of small to medium radius. Can ski all marked slopes and off of the piste in good conditions.