Know Your Ability Level by Alpine Accessories. (2024)

How To Accurately Determine Your Ability Level!

You want to purchase the right equipment so you don't want to purchase intermediate equipment if you're advanced or an expert.

Equipment prices are based on performance levels. The higher performance you are, the more your equipment will cost. So why purchase more expensive equipment if you don't need it?

Another reason knowing your ability is important is safety. If you're an novice or intermediate, you'll know to stay off a black and double black runs because you could get out of control and get hurt.

Determine your ability level

You are a beginner

if you are learning and stay mainly on green runs.

You are a novice

if you can control your speed and turns on green and easy blue runs.

You are a intermediate

if you can control your speed and turns on green, blue and easy black runs.

You are advanced

if you can control your speed and turns on all blue, black and double black runs in good conditions.

You are an expert

if you can control your speed and turns on ALL slopes in ALL conditions.

Your Skier Type is not the same as your ability levels.

Do not confuse your ability level with your skier type. They are two separate categories.Someone could be an advanced skier yet be a Skier Type 1 for binding settings.

What is a Type I, II, or III skier?

Skier type helps shops determine your DIN settings on your bindings. Less aggressive skiers (Type I) will have lower DIN setting while more aggressive skiers (Type III) will have higher DIN settings.

Selecting your skier type is your responsibility. Your skier type, height, weight, age and ski boot sole length are used by the shop technician to determine the release / retention settings of your bindings, also referred to as the DIN setting. It is important to rovide accurate information. Inaccurate information may increase your risk of injury. Do not overstate your type or ability level.

A TYPE I skier

is someone who prefers to ski at slower speeds and prefers cautious skiing on smooth slopes.

A TYPE II skier

is someone who prefers to ski a variety of speeds on varied terrains.

A TYPE III skier

is someone who prefers aggressive skiing and skis on moderate to steeper terrains.

Fun Slope Signs