Lesson Ability Level
Signing up for the right level ski lesson 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
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Level 1
Never-ever (No Prior skiing experience)
Level 2
Can put on and take off their equipment and move around the flats (able to duck walk). They are comfortable gliding and stopping on the Bunny Hill (Half way up+). Can sometimes make simple direction changes (step turns) when sliding. Confidently able to ride the handle tow.
Level 3
Comfortable gliding and making turns from top of the Bunny Hill. Occasionally able to make parallel turns on bunny or crossover. Comfortable with crossover.
Level 4
Must be able to comfortably ski groomed blue squares. Comfortably able to ride the chairlift . Can confidently link wedge turns on all blue squares.
Level 5
Able to comfortably link mostly wedge christie turns of varying sizes, controlling their speed in most situations (Blue squares). When faced with difficult terrain may revert back to wedge turns. Able to use parallel turns on the flats.
Level 6
Comfortable ably to use mostly parallel turns on all blue squares confidently controlling their speed and stopping without wedge. Able to ski the chute but may resorts back to wedge christies. Beginning to use poles.
Level 7
Comfortably and confidently able to ski all black diamonds with only parallel turns, using poles properly.
Snowboarding Ability Levels
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Level 1
You have never tried skiing or 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.