Ability Levels

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s always room to improve skills, build confidence or get to know the mountains better.  We have single-day, multi-day or winter-long programs for every type of skier and snowboarder. Our professional ski instructors will help get you started or take your skiing and riding to the next level.

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Adults' Ski Ability Levels

Level 1 - Never Ever

• You have never ever skied before.
• You want to start at the very beginning.

 

Level 2 - Once or Twice

• You have been out once or twice before but you still consider yourself a beginner.
• You are learning how to link wedged turns and control speed.
• You are still learning on the magic carpet.

 

Level 3 - Plaza

• You are doing linked, basic wedge turns on the magic carpet
• You are building your confidence by controlling both your speed and changing direction and are ready to use the beginner chair lift
• You are learning better balance and to link your turns smoothly.

 

Level 4 - Green

• You have built your confidence in changing direction and make linked wedge turns.
• You feel ready to go up the mountain and explore green terrain.
• You are in a wedge, but at times in your turn, your skis go parallel.

 

Level 5 - Intermediate Blue

• You are comfortable skiing on our green runs; you have built your confidence in looking ahead and making various turn shapes.
• You want to build your confidence as you explore blue runs.
• Time to work on turn shape and rhythm when linking turns with your skis parallel.

 

Level 6 - Advanced Blue to Black

• You want to learn how to keep rhythm on varied terrain, bumps, black runs and start to find some flow.
• You want to build your confidence as you explore harder blue and potentially taste a black run.
• Time to work on feeling the separation of your upper and lower body while linking your turns, using your pole plant for timing your start.

 

Level 7 - Double Black   Special Programs ONLY

• You look for a challenge whenever you head out on the mountain.
• You can confidently ski varying terrain, control your speed, and turn shapes on black runs and various terrains.
• You want to tackle and become more comfortable on steeps, bumps, and glades – the more snow, the better!
• Grab a group of friends and explore all that Big White has to offer

 

 

Adults' Snowboard Ability Levels

Level 1 - Never Ever

• You have never ever snowboarded before.
• You want to start at the very beginning.

 

Level 2 - Once or Twice

• You have been out once or twice before but you still consider yourself a beginner.
• You are learning to control both speed and direction on both toe and heel edge.
• You are learning to make heel-side and toe-side turns on the magic carpet and to flow smoothly from one to the other.

 

Level 3 - Happy Valley/Plaza

• You are ready to learn to use a chairlift.
• You are learning to link heel-side and toe-side turns on plaza chair consistently.
• You are developing the feeling of flowing from your heel-side to your toe-side, feeling smooth on plaza green runs and maintaining your speed on varying slopes.

 

Level 4 - Green

• You are ready to take your riding to the top of the mountain.
• You are gaining confidence with consistently linking s-turns on most green runs.
• You sometimes use one edge when it gets steep.

 

Level 5 - Intermediate Blue

• You want to build your confidence as you explore blue runs.
• You are starting to explore variable terrain and riding in switch.
• You always use your hips and knees to turn the snowboard and maintain alignment with upper and lower body.
• You are learning basic freestyle tricks and are looking at taking those skills to the terrain park.

 

Level 6 - Advanced Blue to Black

• You are looking to ride more confidently in variable and challenging terrain, including some black runs.
• You are able to ride basic bumps but look to gain more comfort, rhythm and flow in un-groomed terrain and trees.
• You can consistently make rounded turns on steep, groomed terrain using a blend of edging and steering skills.
• You can perform a variety of freestyle maneuvers in the terrain park small or medium line and want to develop your style and get more air within your tricks.

 

Level 7 - Double Black  Special Programs ONLY

• You look for a challenge whenever you head out on the mountain
• You can confidently ride all blue terrain, control your speed, and turn shape on most black runs and variable terrain.
• You are refining your skills as an advanced snowboarder and are looking to develop your creativity and personal riding style on all terrain, including in the Terrain Park.