Learn to Ski and Snowboard Barrie Ontario

Rate Your Ability

RATE YOUR SKI OR BOARD SKILL

Knowing your skiing & snowboarding ability level will make sure that you get the most out of your program!

Use the descriptions in the chart below to assist you in selecting the level for which you should register.

We recommend starting at the level that corresponds with the most accurate description of your current ability or the level recommended to you by your instructor from previous seasons at Snow Valley.

Once on snow, our Snow Pros are happy to reassess to ensure you are in the right spot.

LEVEL 0

Skiers

New to skiing. No experience!

Snowboarders

New to snowboarding. No experience!

LEVEL 1

Skiers

Some experience. Can complete small direction changes in a snowplow. Can stop in a snowplow formation. Ride carpet lifts. Can get up unassisted.

Snowboarders

Some experience. Can walk and climb with board on. Can straight run. Ride carpet lifts. Can get up unassisted.

LEVEL 2

Skiers

Comfortable on beginner terrain. Can link snowplow turns with balance over the outside foot. Can walk and climb with skis on. Ready to ride a chairlift.

Snowboarders

Comfortable on beginner terrain. Can complete toeside and heelside slipping. Can complete toeside and heelside pendulum. Ready to ride a chairlift.

LEVEL 3

Skiers

Comfortable on green terrain. Can straight run with speed and snowplow stop on demand. Can control speed in linked turns on green terrain.

Snowboarders

Comfortable on green terrain. Can control direction and speed on either heel or toe edge.

LEVEL 4

Skiers

Ready to conquer blue terrain. Can link varied size snowplow turns while balanced over the outside ski. Age 6+: can ride chairlift unassisted.

Snowboarders

Ready to conquer blue terrain. Can pendulum heel and toe edge. Can link controlled turns using heel and toe edge. Age 6+: can ride chairlift unassisted.

LEVEL 5

Skiers

Rhythmical snowplow turns with skis matching occasionally in parallel on green and blue terrain. Working on a hockey stop.

Snowboarders

Can complete varied radius turns on both toeside and heelside. Can do 360 flat spins. Shows greater confidence at speed.

LEVEL 6

Skiers

Consistently matches skis through completion of turns on green and blue terrain. Able to control speed. Able to hockey stop on both sides.

Snowboarders

Can increase edge angle for more carved turns. Can do beginner switch turns. Comfortable on varied terrain, i.e., bumps, and rollers on blue terrain. Able to control speed.

LEVEL 7

Skiers

Skis are parallel on blue and black terrain most of the time. Beginning to use pole plant. Can do flat 360 spins.

Snowboarders

Comfortable on black terrain. Can perform intermediate carved turns. Sliding switch turns. Can maintain balance as speed and slope increase.

LEVEL 8

Skiers

Skis are parallel on black terrain with good speed control through varied turn shapes. Pole plant is used. Turn shape is symmetrical and rhythmical.

Snowboarders

Can complete varied radius carved turns. Controls speed using turn shape. Rides switch with moderate speed.

LEVEL 9

Skiers

Turns are varied radii with speed control through good edging of both skis. Angulation and inclination are used to ski efficiently. Can ski in varied snow conditions and varied terrain.*

Snowboarders

 Varied radius turns in control at high speed. Strong mechanics for increasing and decreasing the edge. Confident in terrain adaptation.*

First Timers Guide Logo Snow Valley Barrie

Our Ski & Snowboard School is one of the largest in Ontario.

While our runs may not be the highest nor the longest, they offer variety and challenge to get families started safely and to develop skills that people can take to the biggest mountains anywhere.