What's your ability?
Skill Level Guide
At Ski Sundown, we want everyone to enjoy the mountain safely. In order to achieve this, we have provided a guide to evaluate your skiing or snowboarding ability. When you sign up for a lesson, program, or even rent equipment, it is critically important to know what your true skill level is. This will ensure that you are placed in the correct lesson level, and that your equipment is safely adjusted for your needs. It will also help guide you when selecting which trails you are ready to ski on. Your experience on the slopes will be that much more enjoyable if you are skiing and riding at your ability.
For more safe skiing/riding tips, see our NSAA “Know the Code” information.
Ability Guide for Skiers
Skier Levels
1st Timer
“I have never skied before.” New to the sport. Lesson will start with balance, stance and an introduction to equipment. Skiers will learn the basic fundamentals of stopping and turning in a controlled manner.
Beginner
“I can make controlled left and right turns on green circle terrain, or I am returning to the sport after a prolonged time away.” Lesson will focus on developing confidence in turns, right and left. Skiers will learn to stop with confidence on easy terrain.
Novice
“I can ride a chairlift independently and ski with confidence on green circle trails.” Lesson will focus on speed control using wedge and turn shapes. Skiers will begin linking turns and exploring parallel skiing.
Intermediate
“I am confidently parallel skiing on green circle trails and developing my skills on blue square trails.” Lesson will focus on navigating intermediate terrain, refining speed control through varying turn size and shape, and developing a more proficient parallel skiing technique.
Advanced
“I ski confidently and want to fine-tune my technical abilities.” Making consistent parallel turns on advanced terrain. Lesson will focus on learning the skills and tactics that it takes to ski steeper terrain, moguls and variable snow conditions.
Ability Guide for Riders
Snowboarder Levels
1st Timer
“I have never snowboarded before.” New to the sport. Lesson will start with an introduction to equipment and balance. Snowboarders will learn the basic fundamentals of stopping and turning in a controlled manner.
Beginner
“I can side slip on my heel-side on green circle terrain, or I am returning to the sport after a prolonged time away.” Lesson will focus on learning to stop on both heel-side and toe-side. Snowboarders will focus on balance, learn falling leaf and get an introduction to shaped turns.
Novice
“I can ride a chairlift independently and can heel-side and toe-side turn with control.” Lesson will focus on different shaped turn skills and how to navigate flat terrain successfully.
Intermediate
“I can confidently shape my turns on green circle trails and perform controlled stops.” Lesson will focus on switch riding and exploring intermediate level trails. Snowboarders will focus on linking their turns and progressing through more variable terrain.
Advanced
“I can confidently link my turns while maintaining controlled speed.” Making carved turns and switch riding on advanced terrain. Lesson will focus on learning the skills and tactics that it takes to snowboard steeper terrain in variable snow conditions.
Your responsibility code
Know The Code.
Skiing and snowboarding are dynamic, fluid sports of motion enjoyed in a winter environment. They require constant awareness and judgment by skiers or snowboarders to overcome the inherent risks of the sport. Ski Sundown is committed to skiing or snowboarding safety and expects all skiers or snowboarders who choose to ski or snowboard at Ski Sundown to follow Your Responsibility Code listed below and other posted rules and regulations that are designed to make a visit to Ski Sundown a great experience for everyone.
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Know and Obey the Code. It’s Your Responsibility.
If you need help understanding the Code, please ask an employee.