Ability Levels

ABILITY STANDARDS FOR SKI & SNOWBOARD COURSES: HOW GOOD DO I HAVE TO BE?

At ALLTRACKS, we want to welcome as many people as possible onto our ski & snowboard courses. However, there is a minimum ability required to join each particular course. The intention of this is not to exclude, but to recognise that ski and snowboard training is most effective and enjoyable when in a group with others of a similar standard.

Thankfully, the continuing popularity of our courses means we usually have numerous training groups so you should ski or board with people of a similar ability. We offer the best trainee-to-coach ratio in the industry, limiting coaching to six guests per instructor.

Whilst our camps are not suitable for beginners, this doesn’t mean you have to be an expert. Many of our courses are suitable for intermediates looking to develop technique and finesse, and we welcome the chance to help you ski or snowboard with style across the whole mountain.

That said, if you are a strong skier or snowboarder please understand that our coaching can take you to an even higher level. In over 15 years, we’ve never had a guest who was too good to benefit from what we offer. Our coaching team is arguably the strongest around and will develop your technique to an extremely high standard if you’re ready for it.

A major motivation for a relatively large number of our guests is to get to grips with deep powder. Some people arrive skiing really well on piste, but have little or no experience in deep snow. Most of our options take this into account – you’ll be surprised by how quickly you improve in these conditions and really begin to enjoy off-piste skiing or snowboarding.

 

THE ALLTRACKS ABILITY GUIDE

Every course we offer has an appropriate ability level requirement, based on our ability level guidelines explained below.

Be aware that these standards are a guide. If you’d like to discuss the requirements of any course in more detail, contact us today and we’ll answer your questions with pleasure.

 

ALLTRACKS LEVEL 1

ON-PISTE

– As a skier, you can link parallel turns on European red / Canadian blue runs at a consistent pace.

– As a snowboarder, you can link toe and heel turns down European red / Canadian blue runs at a consistent pace.

– You struggle with confidence and technique in adverse conditions like ice, moguls and mixed snow.

– You would like to explore more terrain.

– You’re fit enough to ride European red / Canadian blue runs with limited stops throughout the day.

OFF-PISTE

– No experience is necessary in off-piste conditions.

ALLTRACKS LEVEL 2

ON-PISTE

– As a skier, you can link parallel turns on European red / Canadian blue runs at a reasonable, consistent pace with confidence and can ski easier black runs in favourable conditions.

– As a snowboarder, you can link toe and heel turns on European red / Canadian blue runs at a reasonable, consistent pace with confidence and can ride easier black runs in favourable conditions.

– You have experience in a range of snow conditions, but may still struggle with confidence and technique in adverse conditions.

– You may have to traverse across the slope before turning in challenging terrain such as steep slopes or larger moguls.

– You’re fit enough to ride European red / Canadian blue runs from top to bottom with limited stops throughout the day.

OFF-PISTE

– You’re keen to try going off groomed runs, but linking turns in deep powder or varied snow may still be challenging for you.

ALLTRACKS LEVEL 3

ON-PISTE

– As a skier, you can link parallel turns on black runs at a reasonable, consistant pace confidently.

– As a snowboarder, you can link toe and heel turns confidently on black slopes but may not enjoy moguls (what snowboarder does?).

– You’re able to vary turn radius according to terrain.

– You’re confident enough to tackle virtually every resort run with the possible exception of the most severe double black diamond runs, but may still lose technique in challenging conditions such as ice, large moguls and steep slopes.

– You’re fit enough to ride the majority of pistes in a major resort top to bottom throughout the day with limited stops.

OFF-PISTE

– You can link at least ten turns in a controlled way in mixed snow conditions (deep powder, wind/sun affected snow)

– You’re fit enough to ski or snowboard in mixed conditions and to hike up the occasional climb for around 15 minutes to reach new terrain.

SKI TOURING

– No ski touring experience is necessary (and only relevant if your course includes ski touring or split boarding).

– You have a good level of cardiovascular fitness. For example, you should be able to run at least 7km on road comfortably and probably exercise regularly each week.

ALLTRACKS LEVEL 4

ON-PISTE

– As a skier, you can link parallel turns confidently on all black runs including double black diamonds.

– As a snowboarder, you can link toe and heel turns confidently on all black runs including double black diamonds.

– You can ride the fall line of all runs including moguls at a good pace in all conditions, and can handle ice on steep slopes.

– You’re able to vary turn radius according to the terrain.

OFF-PISTE

– You can ride at a good pace regardless of snow conditions.

– You can control speed, direction and turn shape in all snow conditions.

– You’re very fit, able to go fast all day and enjoy hiking to find new terrain.

SKI TOURING

– You’re familiar with ski touring or split boarding techniques and able to do kick turns on steeper gradients (only relevant if your course includes ski touring or split boarding).

– You’re fit enough to enjoy a day in the mountains with up to four hours of uphill ski touring or split boarding.

Sign Up to the ALLTRACKS BULLETIN

Follow Us @alltracksacademy

Join the Powder Club for Resort News, Pro Interviews, Videos & GiveAways.

    INTERESTED IN ALLTRACKS?

    We love to talk snow, so please email or call us +44 (0)1794 301 777