What's My Skill Level?
Our skill levels analysis will help to give you an idea of what your level of skiing or riding is so you know the instruction that best suits you needs.
Skiers:
Level One Skiers: “Never-Ever”
Level One skiers have never skied before.
Level Two Skiers:
Level Two skiers can ride the Welcome Mat surface lift. They are cautious novices who are able to do a “snow plow” (wedge) turn both ways and are able to stop, but linking turns smoothly may be difficult. Level Two skiers may have skied once or twice before.
Level Three Skiers:
Level Three skiers are riding the Village Double chairlift. They are confident novices who are able to stop and make round snow plow turns on easy beginner trails. Skiers at Level Three should be learning how to properly do a “Wedge Christie.”
Level Four Skiers:
Level Four skiers are riding the Village Double and maybe Gate House chairlifts. They are cautious intermediate skiers who can link turns and ski at a moderate speed. Level Four skiers generally ski in a small wedge. Their skis may even be parallel at the end of the turn on green or easy blue trails. Level Four is a transition level in which skiers will begin to ski more blue intermediate runs.
Level Five Skiers:
Level Five skiers are riding the Village Double, Gate House and Super Bravo chairlifts. They are low-level intermediates that are confident on groomed greens and easy blue runs. They ski wide track parallel but may at times use the wedge to begin a turn or to stop. Level Five skiers may be cautious on intermediate trails that are slightly steep or icy. Level Five Skiers should be learning proper use of poles!
Level Six Skiers:
Level Six skiers are riding all lifts at Sugarbush. They confidently make parallel turns on groomed green and blue runs but do not ski many advanced trails. Level Six skiers use their poles to time turns. A Level Six skier is interested in learning to ski better on more challenging terrain like groomed black runs, powder or easy off-piste.
Level Seven Skiers:
Level Seven skiers are riding all lifts at Sugarbush. They ski controlled parallel turns and can ski very well on blue trails. Level Seven skiers can control their speed and rhythm on black diamond trails, but they are looking to ski on challenging trails with better comfort and skills. Level Seven skiers can adjust the size and length of their turns, blend skills between skidded turns and carving. They are learning to ski on a variety of different types of snow and terrain conditions.
Level Eight Skiers:
Level Eight skiers exhibit good technique on all terrain and snow conditions. They enjoy the challenge of difficult trails, fast conditions, un-groomed trails, moguls, off-piste terrain, and maybe running gates.
Snowboarders:
Level One Riders: “Never-Ever”
Level One Riders have never snowboarded before.
Level Two Riders:
Level Two Riders can ride the Welcome Mat surface lift. They can toe skid and heel skid, traverse and are trying to learn how to link turns.
Level Three Riders:
Level Three Riders would like to ride the Village Double chairlift. They are working on linking turns and controlling speed.
Level Four Riders:
Level Four Riders are comfortable on green and easy blues terrain. They can consistently link their turns and are interested in working on a variety of turn shapes.
Level Five Riders:
Level Five Riders have the ability to make different turn shapes on all types of green and blue terrain. They are interested in learning beginner freestyle, bumps and steeps.
Level Six Riders:
Level Six Riders are all mountain riders. They are interested in learning the terrain park and riding off-piste in a variety of snow conditions.
Level Seven Riders:
Level Seven Riders can handle anything the mountain can throw at them in a variety of snow conditions. They are really interested in refining the fine details of their riding.
Level Eight Riders:
Level Eight Riders exhibit good technique on all terrain and snow conditions. They enjoy the challenge of difficult trails, fast conditions, un-groomed trails, moguls, off-piste terrain, and maybe running gates.
