How to Gauge Your Ski Level: A Simple Guide

Working out a child’s ski level is fairly straightforward. For adults, it’s a different story, especially if you haven’t had lessons in years or you’ve simply been muddling through on the slopes. This guide sets out the markers our instructors use to place a skier, from beginner to level 4, so you book the class that actually suits you.

Beginner: your first days on snow

Does this sound like you?

• This is your first real mountain experience, possibly your first time on snow at all.
• You’re getting used to a whole new environment: sliding, the cold, the altitude.
• You’re still finding your feet with the equipment.
• You’re keen to learn a brand new sport.

What you’ll get from a week of beginner lessons

• Get to know your equipment and how to use it.
• Feel your first sensations of sliding on snow.
• Learn to use the ski lifts.
• Learn to stop and turn using a snow plough.
• Ski independently on flat ground and gentle slopes, such as a green run.
• Learn how to fall, and how to get back up.

Levels 1 and 2: building independence

Level 1

You’re less apprehensive about the ski environment thanks to growing experience, but your position is still fairly fixed and rigid, and you tend to focus on your ski tips rather than the surroundings.

• Control your balance and speed.
• Start learning to side-slip.
• Try your first parallel turns on gentle slopes (greens and easy blues).
• Learn the rules of the piste.

Level 2

You’re fairly independent on green and easy blue runs. You can side-slip and are starting to link parallel turns, though speed and steeper terrain still make you cautious.

• Enjoy skiing blue runs, and even easy reds.
• Adapt your turns and speed to the terrain: narrow, wide, bumpy.
• Relax the top half of your body.
• Keep control through your side-slips.
• Link tighter parallel turns on blue runs.

Levels 3 and 4: refining your technique

Level 3

You’re aware of the environment you’re skiing in. You’re in control of your line and speed on blue runs, and you adapt to the terrain almost automatically, with more mobility and confidence in your position.

• Link refined parallel turns on red runs.
• Master changes of rhythm, mixing wide and tight turns.
• Gain confidence and commit more to the slope.
• Handle varied terrain: bumps, dips, the snowpark.

Level 4

You’re comfortable on any run. Your technical level lets you enjoy skiing whatever the terrain, and you’re looking to adapt your equipment for new sensations: off-piste, carving, slalom, freestyle.

• Anticipate and adjust your speed to changes in terrain.
• Increase your rhythm and intensity.
• Push your own limits.
• Master carved turns.

Not sure which one is you?

It’s common to over or underestimate your own level, especially after a few seasons off the snow. That’s why groups are levelled on the first morning of lessons: the instructor assesses each skier and, if needed, moves them to the group that actually matches their ability, so the week goes as smoothly as possible. Still unsure? Get in touch with your OxySki school before you book, our resort teams are happy to advise.

Book with confidence

Take our level quiz: three questions are enough to point you to the right group. You can also check all these markers on our find your level page, then choose your dates to book your week.