Kids Ability Levels
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At the Big White Kids' Centre we run many different group levels for young skiers and snowboarders every day - from complete beginner to little ripper!
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- Ski Cubs (Ages 3-4)
Age: 3 to 4 Years
Ready Teddys
Beginner - This is my first time on skis. I will learn how to balance and walk on two skis. I will also learn how to straight run and stop without assistance on a gentle slope. Eager Elephants
I can safely ride the magic carpet and stand up straight with my equipment on. I can stop in control, maybe with an edgie wedgie. I’m learning to turn to slow myself down. I am skiing on the big magic carpet. Please note: these descriptions provide the minimum requirements for registration in each ability level in a group environment
- Snowriders (Ages 5-7)
Age: 5 to 7 Years - Skiers
Level 1 - Sliders
Beginner - First time skier. I am learning to stop in control on the magic carpet, in addition to learning how to follow my instructor’s turns on gentle terrain. Level 2 - Snow Rangers
Intro to chairlift - I can link my snowplow turns together and can control my speed through my turns. I am a confident skier on green terrain and am starting to match my skis at the end of my turn. I am learning about chairlift safety. Level 3 - Trail Blazers
Intermediate - I like making different sized turns, I am able to match my skis on all green runs, and am starting to match my skis half way through the turn on blue terrain. I am starting to learn how to use poles. I am a safe and responsible skier who follows the Alpine Responsibility Code. Level 4 - Mountain Explorers
Advanced - I am a parallel skier on all blue terrain, and I’m starting to ski on some black runs. I can use poles safely and correctly. I can adapt to varying conditions/terrain. I am a safe and model skier, who always follows the Alpine Responsibility code. Age: 5 to 7 Years - Snowboarders
Level 1 - Groomers
Beginner - First time snowboarder. I am learning basic board mobility, I am learning how to stop by using a slide slip on my toe and heel edge. I am learning to change direction. Level 2 - Snowsurfers
Novice - I can side slip and stop easily on both edges of my board. I understand how to change direction and am working on my zig zag on both edges of my board, on easy green runs. I am learning to complete individual turns, and to link turns. I am learning how to safely get off the chairlift. Level 3 - Freeriders
Intermediate - I can link turns from both edges of my board on easy green runs. I am ready to try green and blue runs across the mountain. I know chairlift safety and feel comfortable loading and offloading the chairlift, and I know the Alpine Responsibility Code. Level 4 - Shredders
Advanced - I am comfortable riding on most blue terrain, including steeper blue runs. I can carve turns and I’m beginning to experiment with freestyle riding. Please note: these descriptions provide the minimum requirements for registration in each ability level in a group environment
- Ridge Runners (Ages 8-12)
Age: 8 to 12 Years - Skiers
Level 1 - Starters
Beginner - First time skier. I am learning basic mobility, how to stop, and turn in control on the magic carpet. Level 2 - Cutters
Intro to chairlift - I am able to link controlled snowplow turns on easy green terrain. I can put my skis on and take them off without assistance. I am learning about slope, and chairlift safety. Level 3 - Carvers
Intermediate - I am able to ski on all green terrain and starting to ski on blue terrain. I am able to match my skis at the end of every turn, and learning how to be parallel through the entire turn. I am learning how to use poles safely and correctly. I am a safe and responsible skier who follows the Alpine Responsibility Code. Level 4 - High Flyers
Advanced - I know how to ski in all snow conditions, and can control my speed in the bumps. I am able to do carved parallel turns on advanced terrain, while correctly timing the use of my pole plants. I am a safe and model skier, who always follows the Alpine Responsibility code. Level 5 - Hot Shots
Expert - I can confidently and safely ski with speed while maintaining dynamic parallel turns of different turn radius on black/double black terrain. I am a confident fall line bump skier on expert terrain. I am part of my learning experience by utilizing reflective learning. I am an all mountain skier and am able to ski in all types of terrain/conditions, I know Park etiquette and safety, and I’m experimenting with freestyle skiing. *Requires instructor assessment prior to registration in this level. Age: 8 to 12 Years - Snowboarders
Level 1 - Rookies
Beginner - First time snowboarder. I am learning basic board mobility, I am learning how to stop by using a slide slip on my toe and heel edge. I am learning to change direction. Level 2 - Ziggers
Novice - I can side slip and stop easily on both edges of my board. I understand how to change direction and am working on my zig zag on both edges of my board, on easy green runs. I am learning to complete individual turns, and to link turns. I am learning how to safely get off the chairlift. Level 3 - Linkers
Intermediate - I can link turns from both edges of my board on easy green runs. I am ready to try green and blue runs across the mountain. I know chairlift safety and feel comfortable loading and offloading the chairlift, and I know the Alpine Responsibility Code. Level 4 - Rippers
Advanced - I can ride switch and stomp basic freestyle moves. I use my edges and pressure control to safely ride blue runs. I'm excited about shredding trees, moguls and the terrain park! Level 5 - Hotshots
Expert - I can ride with rhythm and co-ordination to generate response and performance from my board and the terrain. I am confident and can ride with speed control on all types of terrain and can link dynamic carved turns on steep terrain. I can throw down tricks in the half pipe, moguls and on all of the small features in the park. *Requires instructor assessment prior to registration in this level. Please note: these descriptions provide the minimum requirements for registration in each ability level in a group environment
