ESSENTIAL: SNOWBOARD LEVELS

Find your snowboard level!

Please have a look at the chart below and try to assess your ability objectively when choosing your level.

If you choose the correct snowboard group level...

You maximise your lesson time on the first day!

Notes

- If you think you are between two levels, we would advise you to choose the lower one.
- Remember to take into account the amount of time since you last boarded.
- Please try to assess your children’s level objectively. Putting them in too high a class will affect their enjoyment and impact on lesson time.

Level 0 (Beginner)

Current snowboard ability

Beginner - never snowboarded before, or less than 10 hours snowboarding on an artificial slope.
Looking forward to the first snowboarding experience on snow.

Objectives

Working towards level 1

Learn to link back side and front side elementary turns on green slopes. Try riding switch (backwards).
Use simple lifts and improve skills for maximum enjoyment.

Level 1 (Intermediate)

Current snowboard ability

Progressing with elementary linked turns on a green slope. Need to solidify technique to progress onto steeper slopes
At least one week’s riding experience on snow.

Objectives

Working towards level 2

Achieve good control of refined and semi-carved turns on blue runs and attempting red runs. Link turns in switch on green runs.
Basic freestyle on simple slopes that finish on the flat.

Level 2 (Intermediate)

Current snowboard ability

Confident snowboarding on blue and red runs, attempting first tricks.
Would like a professional introduction to the snowpark and its various elements.
At least 4 weeks’ experience

Objectives

Working towards level 3

Gain excellent control of carved turns on red runs and good control of snowboard on black runs.
Control snowboard well riding in switch on red runs. Improve techniques in freestyle and freeride.

Level 3 (Advanced)

Current snowboard ability

Riding at a high level but need to perfect aspects of technique in the snowpark and on steeper terrain.
At least 12 weeks’ experience

Objectives

To reach the highest possible level as a recreational snowboarder.
After fully consolidating all the necessary riding skills, you may want to pass on your passion to others by gaining a coaching qualification from a recognised teaching body.

More info

  • Check your snowboard level before you book a group lesson...

    Group lessons are more enjoyable, and you will make more progress, if the group members are of a similar ability level. Here at the European Ski and Snowboard School we take great care over this aspect of lessons. Our instructors work closely with each other and with our on-slope coordinator to adjust the make-up of groups as necessary. This helps us to maximise the progress of every snowboarder throughout the lessons.
    Please study the level chart when booking, and try to assess your ability objectively when choosing your level. This will help us to put people into the best possible group as quickly and smoothly as possible.

  • Planning on taking a private snowboard lesson?

    Knowing your snowboard level is less important for a private lesson as we can assess this at the start of the lesson. However, to ensure our instructor is prepared for the lesson, and to help us agree a suitable meeting point, it does help if we know what level of snowboarder you are. 

  • Worth knowing...

    Please note that the following snowboard level objectives are typical outcomes after a week of group lessons. Each snowboarder’s individual progress will depend on many factors, including snow and weather conditions as well as their keenness to learn. Our instructors aim to get the very best out of each snowboarder and we will move people between groups as necessary to achieve this.