The answer to “What level am I?” shapes both your lesson plan and the slopes you can ski with confidence. At our school, the training program follows international level definitions and is made up of four main stages and nine levels.
Beginner (Level 1)
You’re trying skis for the very first time. Goal: walking in your gear, gliding straight and stopping with a snowplow. You’ll practice on the training slope.
Novice (Levels 2–3)
You can stop with a snowplow and change direction on easy slopes. Goal: linking snowplow turns, using the lifts safely and moving on to green and blue slopes.
Intermediate (Levels 4–6)
You can make linked turns and ski comfortably on blue slopes. Goal: controlling your speed with your ski edges and bringing your skis parallel at the end of each turn. This level is the turning point in your skiing.
Advanced (Levels 7–9)
You ski parallel, and red slopes don’t give you any trouble. Goal: short parallel turns, mogul and powder techniques, and finally carving.
How can you tell your level?
- Can you stop without using a snowplow?
- Can you link your turns on a blue slope?
- Do your skis come parallel on their own at the end of a turn?
- Can you control your speed on a steep, narrow slope?
Not sure? That’s fine: in your first lesson, your instructor will work out your level together with you. Just check the “I’m not sure” option on the booking request form.
For the techniques, slopes and descriptions of every level, see our Ski Levels page.