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Lesson Ability Level

Signing up for the right level ski or snowboard lessons is critical for the success of any student. While we always spend time assessing our students to ensure they are at the right level, starting them off in the right place can make a huge difference in their success. Below we have provided you with some descriptions of each level to help you make a more accurate decision regarding where to place you or your child in either Ski or Snowboard Lessons. 

Skier Ability Levels:

 

Level 1
  • Never-ever (No prior skiing experience)

 

Level 2 
  • Turn type: J-turns, step turns

  • Trail type: green circle

  • Can put on skis and take off skis

  • Can duck walk around on flat ground

  • Comfortable gliding and stopping on our bunny hill from half way up

  • Can ride the handle tow

 

Level 3 
  • Turn type: basic wedge turns (pizza turns)

  • Trail type: green circle

  • Comfortable gliding and making turns from the top of our bunny hill

  • Should be able to traverse across the hill 

  • Comfortable with the crossover 

 

Level 4
  • Turn type: linked wedge turns (linked pizza turns)

  • Trail type: blue squares

  • Can ski groomed blue squares with confidence

  • Can ride the chairlift

 

Level 5 
  • Turn type: mostly wedge christie turns (half pizza, half french-fry turn)

  • Trail type: blue squares with excellent control in speed

  • When skiing above their ability, they may resort back to wedge turns

  • Able to ski in parallel when on flatter terrain

  • Start skiing with poles

 

Level 6
  • Turn type: mostly parallel turns (french fry turns)

  • Trail type: blue squares and some black diamonds

  • Stops without a wedge (a pizza)

  • May resort back to wedge christies when on black diamond terrain

  • Beginning to use poles correctly

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Level 7
  • Turn Type: all parallel turns, all the time

  • Trail type: Black diamonds 

  • Uses poles correctly

Snowboarding Ability Levels

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Level 1

You have never tried snowboarding before.

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Level 2

You have spent a few hours on the slopes—probably a day or two. You can put on and take off your equipment and move around on the flats. You are comfortable gliding and stopping on the easiest learning terrain (Bunny Hill), and you can sometimes make simple direction changes while sliding.

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Level 3

You are very comfortable gliding and making turns on beginner terrain. You feel almost ready for easy green runs on the mountain.  Can nearly link turns heel to toe.

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Level 4

You ride comfortably and confidently on Maple’s “green circle” mountain terrain. You can ride chairlifts and link smooth, gliding turns on all but the steepest green sections. You can link heel & toe turns.

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Level 5

You ride comfortably and confidently on all “green circle” and most groomed “blue square” terrain at Maple Ski Ridge. You can link turns of varying sizes and you can control your speed in most situations by adjusting your line, with little need for braking.​

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Level 6

You are comfortable and confident on any groomed “blue square” terrain, and capable of riding easiest and blue terrain at Maple Ski Ridge. You can link turns of varying size at moderate speed. Snowboarders are beginning to skid less, with the tail of the board following the tip, for more control of their line.

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Level 7

You are comfortable and confident on all blue square and easier black diamond terrain, including moderate moguls and ungroomed snow. You can modify your technique and tactics from a growing quiver of options, linking dynamic carved turns with consistent rhythm on blue groomed terrain. Level 7 snowboarders can mix carved and skidded turns.

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