SnowPros Superstar skiers
WELCOME TO SNOWPROS Superstar SKIERS
On your journey from beginner skier to all-mountain expert, it is useful to have some idea of how you are getting on.
This is why we came up with SnowPros Superstar skiers.
Superstar Skiers is based on martial arts belt systems and was invented by a young boy called Henry on a chairlift in Morgins.
You start not knowing anything, with a white belt buff and progress all the way through the colours until you reach the highly prized, black belt buff.
Of course, if you can already ski, your instructor can start you off with a yellow, blue or red belt buff, according to how well you ski.
There are different tests and things that you need to be able to do at each level and your instructor will judge you on these before they decide on your level.
With all of these things, there are even levels above this and you should look out for the special ski instructor buffs with the gold stars. Who knows, maybe one day you will continue your skiing journey with us and get one of these too.
BASIC SKILLS
With a white belt, you are learning how to ski and making progress in big chunks. Skiing will feel all new and a little intimidating but it should also feel fun. Very soon you’ll be making your first turns and moving around on the hill. You will be using the beginner areas to ski.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Basics such as moving around with both skis on your feet.
Knowing what all of the ski equipment does and how it works.
You can walk up hills in a side step and duck walk.
You will have mastered riding the magic carpet or other basic lift
You can go down the hill in a snowplough and use it to stop.
Starting to turn
With a yellow belt, you are now moving around the hill with more confidence, you can stop and turn. The ability to turn is the gateway to skiing more of the mountain, skiing faster (if you want to) and stopping more effectively. You will be using mainly beginner and easy pistes.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Stopping on command and where you want to with a snowplough.
Using different types of lift, for example, a drag or button lift.
Turning left and right using a snowplough turn.
Turning left and right back up the hill to control your speed.
Using straight skis in between turns
With a green belt, you are becoming much more confident and you are able to move your skis between snowplough and parallel so that you only use a snowplough when you need it. This is physically much easier and the next step for you will be to bring the skis from snowplough to parallel earlier and earlier until before you know it you will be parallel turning. You will find that if you are balanced correctly, the skis will slide together parallel towards the end of the turn. At this stage you will be mainly using easy pistes.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Moving between snowplough turns with your skis parallel
Using a different type of lift, for example, a chairlift.
Traversing a slope with you skis parallel.
Occasionally you may make a parallel turn.
Have the ability to lift the inside or uphill ski off the ground
for a short period of time between turns.
Parallel turns on a blue piste
Blue belt skiers can do parallel turns left and right on a blue piste. This is when your skis remain parallel to each other all the way around the turn, this can only be achieved with perfect technique and balance. At this stage, you will have used most of the different types of ski lift and many different scenarios on the mountain and you are a fairly experienced skier. You may be skiing some red pistes and have encountered the occasional black slope. You may have even skied some gentle bumps or off piste.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Turn left and right in a perfect parallel turn (with or without pole plant) on a blue piste.
Be able to come to a stop with your skis parallel, also known as a hockey stop
If you have poles, you will have been taught the basics of how to use them properly ready for the next level.
Be able to sideslip down a slope in a controlled way with your skis parallel.
Have done some gentle introductory off piste of a green or blue steepness.
Have done a straight air off of a green or blue kicker.
Parallel turns on a RED piste
A red belt skier is a very good level and can do perfect parallel turns left and right on a red slope with a pole plant. The pole plant and the steepness of slope is what separates the red belt skiers as a very proficient mountain skier. At this stage, you will be exploring different, more challenging parts of the mountain, steep slopes, mogul fields and off piste. You will be skiing mostly red and black terrain.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Turn left and right in a perfect parallel turn using a pole plant to time and balance your turns on a red slope.
Have made some long carving turns on a blue slope.
Able to competently ski a blue steepness mogul field showing a pole plant and variety of lines.
Have shown good parallel technique in blue steepness off piste or variable terrain.
Have done a basic trick off of a green or blue kicker.
Parallel turns on a BLACK SLOPE
A black belt skier is a true master of the mountain and they are rarely phased by the conditions on the mountain. At this level, you should be able to perform parallel turns down a black slope showing perfect parallel skis with a solid pole plant. In addition you will show a high level of competence in moguls, snowpark and variable terrain as well as the ability to carve your skis.
At this level you can do all of the following;
Turn left and right in perfect parallel turns using a pole plant to time and balance your turns on a black slope.
Have made carving turns on a red slope.
Able to ski competently a red steepness mogul field showing a pole plant and a variety of lines.
Show good parallel technique and a pole plant in off piste or variable terrain of red steepness.
Have done a rotational trick off of a blue kicker (180/360)
