Skill Chart for Adults

This matrix is designed to help skiers decide where they best fit on the skill continuum when registering for our adult instructional programs. It is intended as a quick look into some of the determining factors, not an exhaustive list of ski skills.

No individual category is intended to be a perfect fit as many skiers will likely find they match up with multiple categories.  However, if most of your skills fall in a given category you will likely find that is an ideal starting place for you.  Alternatively, a skier may find the categories highlight where they could benefit from additional focus in their skiing to become a well-rounded skier.

Read on to learn your current level prior to registering for classes or clinics to ensure you are selecting the perfect option for you!

Skate Skiing

Beginner

  • I am working on putting my skis and poles on correctly and taking them off

  • I rely largely on my poles to create forward movement and propel myself down the trail

  • I use my poles for balance

  • I am not sure WHEN to use my poles relative to my skis

  • I prefer to keep both skis on the snow at the same time

  • I have never successfully executed a snowplow or:

  • I can use a snowplow to slow my speed on straight, gradual downhills, but have difficulty stopping quickly

Advanced Beginner

  • I can put my skis and poles on correctly and take them off with ease

  • I can skate without poles for short periods on the flats

  • I can ski using 1 out of the 3 poling techniques, (V1, V2, or V2-A)

  • I can bring myself to a complete stop using a snowplow

  • I can execute individual snowplow turns to the left or right

  • I am beginning to connect multiple snowplow turns, one after the other

Intermediate (-)

  • I can ski flats and gradual inclines without poles (green/easy/beginner trails)

  • I can ski using 2 or 3 out of the 3 poling techniques, (V1, V2, V2-A)

  • I can bring myself to a complete stop quickly using a snow plow

  • I can link snowplow turns and navigate natural curves in the trail

Intermediate

  • I can ski flats and moderate inclines without poles (blue/intermediate/moderate trails)

  • I have attempted all 3 poling techniques, (V1, V2, V2-A), but need clarification on the differences between them

  • I can stop on a downhill using a snowplow and am also practicing my hockey stop

  • I can execute skate turns on flat or gradual downhill corners

Intermediate (+)

  • I can ski flats and moderate inclines confidently without poles and am attempting some steeper hills without poles (black/advanced/most difficult trails)

  • I can ski use all 3 poling techniques  (V1, V2, V2-A), and have a clear understanding of which is which and when to use them

  • I am most comfortable doing V1 on one side or the other (L or R)

  • I can stop using a snow plow or hockey stop

  • I can use skate/step turns to maintain momentum on most downhill corners

  • I have attempted parallel turns

Advanced

  • I can ski any terrain without poles (including sustained/steep uphills)

  • I can identify the appropriate technique for different speed and terrain

  • I can execute both V1 and V2-Alternate on either right or left side

  • I can transition seamlessly between techniques (V1, V2, V2-A) including right side V1 to left side V1

  • I can stop smoothly using a snow plow or hockey stop

  • I can perform a wedge turn, skate turn, or parallel turn smoothly on almost any downhill

Classic Skiing

MVN Adult Classes

Beginner

  • I am working on putting my skis and poles on correctly and taking them off

  • I am more comfortable moving down the trail with poles than without

  • I use my poles more for stability, than an additional source of propulsion

  • I prefer to keep both skis on the snow at the same time

  • I have never successfully executed a snowplow or:

  • I can use a snowplow to slow my speed on straight, gradual downhills, but have difficulty stopping quickly

Advanced Beginner

  • I can put my skis and poles on correctly and take them off with ease

  • I can stride without poles on flats and small uphills

  • I have been introduced to both diagonal striding and double pole

  • I can bring myself to a complete stop using a snowplow

  • I can execute individual snowplow turns to the left or right

  • I am beginning to connect multiple snowplow turns, one after the other

Intermediate (-)

  • I can stride confidently without poles on flats and sustained gradual uphills (green/easy/beginner trails)

  • I use both diagonal striding and double pole regularly throughout my ski

  • I am not familiar with kick double pole

  • I can bring myself to a complete stop quickly using a snow plow

  • I can link snowplow turns and navigate natural curves in the trail

Intermediate

  • I can diagonal stride confidently without poles on all (blue/intermediate/moderate trails), but find my ski slipping occasionally

  • I sometimes hear my rear ski slapping down on the snow behind me

  • I have been introduced to and/or attempted the kick double pole technique

  • I can stop on a downhill using a snowplow and am also practicing my hockey stop

  • I can execute step turns on flat or gradual downhill corners

Intermediate (+)

  • I can diagonal stride without poles on most terrain

  • I can diagonal stride, double pole, and kick double pole, but need a reminder of when to use which technique

  • I can stop using a snow plow or hockey stop

  • I can use skate/step turns to maintain momentum on most downhill corners

  • I have attempted parallel turns

Advanced

  • I can diagonal stride almost any terrain confidently without poles (including sustained/steeper uphills) and can run, herringbone, or half herringbone efficiently with poles to maintain speed and momentum on steeper inclines

  • I can identify the appropriate technique for different speed and terrain

  • I can transition smoothly between double pole, kick double pole, diagonal striding, and herringbone to maintain momentum as the terrain changes

  • I can double pole uphill

  • I can stop smoothly using a snow plow or hockey stop

  • I can perform a wedge turn, step turn, or parallel turn smoothly on almost any downhill