Skier Types

Have to say the best description of skier ability comes from way All Mountain Performance split their groups. With the 2 deaths in last 2 days of skiers offpiste have to agree with Pavel. Ski with a guide or be extremely cautious, only ski what you can see. If you have safety equipment, probe/shovel/transceiver/crevasse kit, make sure you know how to use.


Level 1 - Beginner
You have never skied before or you are snowplough turning on green runs only.


Level 2 - Low intermediate
You are skiing on blue runs and turning parallel controlling a steady speed and direction by making skiddy parallel turns.

You are not quite ready for our intermediate all mountain ski courses. We would recommend some private coaching to get you to the next level.


Level 3 - Intermediate
You are skiing confidently on red runs with good parallel turns. You know how to tilt your skis onto their edges and enjoy going a little faster. You can control your speed and direction pretty well on most pistes. You now feel ready to start skiing some steeper black pistes and some of the easier off piste descents.

Intermediate All Mountain





Level 4 - High intermediate
You can comfortably ski red runs and have skied some black runs with no problems if the conditions are ok. You are now looking forward to try some easy off piste routes, steeper slopes and some bumps that are not too big!

Intermediate All Mountain




Level 5 - Advanced
You can ski all pistes with no real problems including steep black runs. You can ski open reds at speed using your edges. You can make different size turns and can generally control your speed and line in medium sized bumps. You have skied some off piste and can get down if it's not too steep or too deep. You are now looking forward to feeling comfortable off piste and learning techniques for more challenging snow types and terrain.

Advanced All Mountain




Level 6 - Advanced All Mountain
You are skiing off piste quite a lot and can ski most conditions and terrain. You may still find it hard in certain difficult snow types, or when it's steeper or with big bumps. You feel the need to consolidate and improve your all round off piste skiing skills.

Advanced All Mountain





Level 7 - Expert Rider
You are getting pretty good now! You can ski off piste, deep powder, icy pistes, steep slopes and big bumps. You have fun all over the mountain. Sometimes you get cheers from chairlifts. You may also be a trainee ski instructor or just darn hot!

Expert All Mountain





Level 8 - Expert Pro
The mountain is your playground. Skiing is your passion. You ski with control, versatility and expression in all conditions and terrain. You may be a skiing competitor or mountain professional seeking professional training. You still want to improve and enjoy the challenges.

Expert All Mountain







Level 9 - World Elite

well that one puts me at level 4

Well ......

Both Pavel and Ranchero have lists that make some interesting reading but I do think that this kind of broad brush stroke "types" leave a lot to be desired.

I wonder if the following series or progression of grades is not more appropriate for the majority of holiday/part time skiers??

1 – Total beginner. Never skied/boarded, been in the mountains, but fancies the idea or has been dragged into it by friends/relatives/lover/prospective lover etc. Believes everything he/she has been told, has read, watched and has the expectation of giving those flash g***s on Ski Sunday a run for their money next year as "how difficult can it be?" :mrgreen:

2 – Second day skier – "OMFG – these boots must be the wrong size, and that instructor is an idiot taking us on a black run and who sold me these gloves/saloppettes/jacket that leak/are too hot/too cold/not the right colour and look what's happened to my hair/nails/nose/bald patch/bum/wallet .......
:evil:

3 – Second week skier – "last year the instructor had us on blacks by the end of the week". Really got the bug, spent loadsamoney on kit and decides that lessons aren't needed as it's better to learn by experience. Takes 4 hours to get back after getting lost and stuck at the top of the resort signature black mogul field. Buys new sallopettes as worn out the seat through sliding down said black mogul field. Changes skis as they weren't right for the conditions. Buys boots as this will make him/her such a better skier. Buys boots for an "expert" (red ones, of course) and 2 sizes too big as they are really comfy in the shop. :roll:

4 – Intermediate – has skied a red and slid down a black but got the bug and not going to be put off, thank you very much!! Sold boots on e-bay and bought new ones, only one size too big. Goes to a "major" resort instead of tiddly little hill. OMFG !!!!!! Who made mountains so big???? And this blue is harder than the black last year and who are these idiots going so fast and who lets those 7 year olds ski like that, they are terrifying. But ................ I can now carry my skis like an old pro and have got the lingo down pat and in the bar who can tell what I actually look like on skis and that when I said I came straight down the [local downhill world cup piste] it took 1 hour and 23 minutes and not 1min and 23 seconds??
8)

5 – Advanced skier – now skied for 5 weeks. Has read exhaustively about ski resorts and equipment and can pontificate in a very authoritative fashion on everything from skis and bindings, boots, to helmets, cameras, gloves ............ Ski resorts, the signature runs everywhere, different countries (although keeps quiet about going to Bulgaria), accommodation, and, of course, has every webcam as a favourite on the internet.
:P

6 – Expert Skier – Nearly at the peak of skiing career. Skis every year, more than one week usually. Has an opinion about every aspect of skiing and the mountains and has built up/made up a good load of stories about skiing exploits to amuse friends/casual acquaintances/poor s**s stuck on chair, in telecabine etc etc. As, of course, everyone will be very interested. :wink:

7 – True professional –a philosophical approach to skiing. Got in the groove, got the skiing "day" well settled to include several bar stops, lunch stops, après ski stops. Kit is more about comfort, plenty of pockets or a rucksack, lightweight skis, easily removable clothing for any eventuality. Has now gained the experience to feel secure in any situation. Has an abundance of techniques to avoid being caught out and revealed as just your average holiday hack. Has perfected the "look" of the serious mountain performer and knows how to hold court in the local après ski watering hole (arrives about 2.15 to get favourite seat/spot). Knows just when to shut up and keep quiet, even leave (move on) without risking being caught out. This is the peak that we all aspire to but so few attain.
:thumbup:

Old Andy,

You are right. The more "broad" you make categories,,the more you lose in precision!

I like yours better than mine! If you do not mind I will adopt yours! Do you mind if a soon to be made poster has all your suggestions? ( Of course your name will be at bottom)

You see Old Andy, I have a friend who will open a very "special" ski shop and he wanted a poster near entrance which would help customers identify themselves!

Your profiles are much better than mine,,thus I will recommend to him to use yours! What is your fee for this excellent work ?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Pavel

pavelski wrote:Old Andy,

You are right. The more "broad" you make categories,,the more you lose in precision!

I like yours better than mine! If you do not mind I will adopt yours! Do you mind if a soon to be made poster has all your suggestions? ( Of course your name will be at bottom)

You see Old Andy, I have a friend who will open a very "special" ski shop and he wanted a poster near entrance which would help customers identify themselves!

Your profiles are much better than mine,,thus I will recommend to him to use yours! What is your fee for this excellent work ?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Pavel

Oh god - and I have no idea if you are being serious or having a joke at my expense !!!!
:roll:

But I don't think I have written anything particularly original.

OldAndy wrote:

pavelski wrote:Old Andy,

You are right. The more "broad" you make categories,,the more you lose in precision!

I like yours better than mine! If you do not mind I will adopt yours! Do you mind if a soon to be made poster has all your suggestions? ( Of course your name will be at bottom)

You see Old Andy, I have a friend who will open a very "special" ski shop and he wanted a poster near entrance which would help customers identify themselves!

Your profiles are much better than mine,,thus I will recommend to him to use yours! What is your fee for this excellent work ?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Pavel

Oh god - and I have no idea if you are being serious or having a joke at my expense !!!!
:roll:

But I don't think I have written anything particularly original.

It's pretty good. I gave you a 'top post' mark :D

bedrock barney wrote:

It's pretty good. I gave you a 'top post' mark :D

And I gave the other one as I thought it was good too.

I added to it. I could identify the odd J2skier!