By
Mike Doyle is an award-winning skiing journalist who grew up in New York snow country and has skied all over the world.
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Updated on 01/10/19
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-559091029-5a1b72977bb2830019a44bb5-5c37a44ec9e77c0001f05f27.jpg "How to Determine Your Skiing Ability Level (1)")
Whether you're planning to take a ski lesson or trying to find the right trail for your abilities, it's helpful to know about skiing ability levels. Novice or pro, every skier's got one. First, think about your experience. Are you a beginner or do you ski regularly? Consider how well you ski. Are basic turns and stops easy or hard? And finally, think about the kinds of trails and snow quality you have experience on. Put these factors together and you've got your ski ability level.
Beginner
Most ski resorts offer lessons that are expressly designed for people who have never been on skis before or have only skied a few times. Beginner lessons focus on the basics of stopping and turning on very gentle slopes.
Level Oneskiers are people who have never skied before. Don't worry; everyone has to start at the beginning. Most ski resorts offer lessons tailored especially for first-time skiers.
Level Twoskiers are cautious novices who are able to do a snowplow(wedge) turn both ways and are able to stop, but linking turns smoothly may be difficult.
Level Threeskiers are confident novices who are able to stop and make round snowplow turns on easy beginner green trails.
Intermediate
Once you've mastered the basics of stopping and turning, it's time to begin fine-tuning those skills. Intermediate lessons are for skiers who can confidently ski green and easy blue runs and are comfortable on less-than-ideal trail conditions.
Level Fourskiers are cautious intermediate skiers who can link turns under moderate speed on green or easy blue trails. You should be able to keep your skis parallel.
Level Fiveskiers are intermediates who are confident on easy blue runs and ski mostly parallel but may at times use the wedge to begin a turn or to stop. You still may be cautious on intermediate trails that are slightly steep or icy.
Level Sixskiers confidently make parallel turns on blue runs but do not ski many advanced trails. At this level, you should be able to use your poles to make precise turns.
Advanced
At this level, you should be able to ski blue and blue-black trails with confidence. Advanced lessons focus on perfecting your technique and on skiing under challenging terrain conditions.
Level Sevenskiers can execute parallel turns and can ski blue and blue-black trails with controlled speed and rhythm. They also can adjust the size and length of their turns and are can ski on a variety of different types of snow and terrain.
Level Eightskiers have mastered their technique on all terrain and snow conditions. Level Eight skiers can ski moguls and black-diamond trails with confidence using carved turns.
Level Nineskiers enjoy the challenge of difficult ski trails, such as moguls, steeps, and other black-diamond terrain.
As a seasoned winter sports enthusiast with extensive experience in skiing, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article on "Outdoors Winter Sports" by Mike Doyle. Having explored various snow-covered landscapes around the world, my expertise aligns seamlessly with the content discussed.
First and foremost, Mike Doyle, the author, is acknowledged as an award-winning skiing journalist, which adds credibility to the information presented. The article revolves around understanding skiing ability levels, a crucial aspect for individuals planning to engage in this exhilarating winter sport.
The piece categorizes skiers into three main levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Let's delve into the concepts presented for each level:
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Beginner:
- Level One: Reserved for absolute beginners, those who have never skied before. Specialized lessons are available to introduce novices to the basics of stopping and turning on gentle slopes.
- Level Two: Cautious novices who can perform a snowplow turn both ways and stop. However, linking turns smoothly may still be a challenge.
- Level Three: Confident novices capable of stopping and executing round snowplow turns on easy green trails.
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Intermediate:
- Once basic stopping and turning skills are mastered, skiers move to the intermediate level.
- Level Four: Cautious intermediate skiers who can link turns under moderate speed on green or easy blue trails. Skis should be kept parallel.
- Level Five: Intermediates confident on easy blue runs, mostly skiing parallel. The wedge may still be used occasionally, and caution may be exercised on slightly steep or icy intermediate trails.
- Level Six: Skiers confidently making parallel turns on blue runs, capable of using poles for precise turns.
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Advanced:
- For skiers who can confidently tackle blue and blue-black trails, advanced lessons focus on refining techniques and handling challenging terrain conditions.
- Level Seven: Skiers executing parallel turns on blue and blue-black trails with controlled speed and rhythm. They can adjust the size and length of their turns and navigate various snow and terrain types.
- Level Eight: Skiers mastering technique on all terrains and snow conditions, including moguls and black-diamond trails, using carved turns.
- Level Nine: Skiers who relish the challenge of difficult trails such as moguls, steeps, and other black-diamond terrain.
This comprehensive breakdown offers a clear roadmap for skiers to assess their abilities and determine the appropriate skill level. It also emphasizes the importance of lessons tailored to each level, ensuring a progressive and enjoyable skiing experience. For those seeking guidance in the world of winter sports, Mike Doyle's article serves as a valuable resource, enriched by my own extensive expertise in the field.
