Snowsports Level Descriptions

First Time Skier/Rider

First time … but it won't be your last!  We'll provide everything you need to enjoy this exciting day.  You'll learn the basics of turning, stopping and riding lifts at a comfortable pace.  Expand skills and gain confidence as you explore Squaw's extensive beginner area, featuring our progressive balance-building terrain gardens.  Enjoy newfound camaraderie and feelings of accomplishment as you experience the freedom of gliding.

Advanced Beginner/Novice

You are able to change direction and stop when skiing in the Beginner area and are working on linking turns more consistently to venture out to more difficult Green slopes and maybe some easy Blue slopes.
In this level you will enjoy attention to personal goals while you:

• Experience more mileage and time to practice basic  movements by starting in the Beginner area and easy Green slopes
• Expand your skills and gain confidence skiing/snowboarding on a variety of Green slopes
• Master all Green terrain and ski confidently on easy Blue slopes

Intermediate

You are comfortable on groomed Blue slopes and want to break through into a new level of confidence on varied Blue terrain. 
In this level you will enjoy attention to personal goals while fortifying skills and adapting new movements to:

• Develop more aggressive carved turns and quicker turns
• Explore all groomed Blue and some variable terrain or ride small-size features in the Park
• Gain confidence to choose different types of turns and speeds

Advanced Intermediate

You are comfortable on all groomed Blue slopes, able to choose short or long turns for steeper slopes and varied snow conditions and easy moguls.
In this level you will enjoy attention to personal goals while fortifying skills and adapting new movements to:

• Explore dimensions of movements and equipment to carve and slide with more confidence
• Manage turns and speeds on groomed Black slopes or explore medium-size features in the Park
• Develop tactics and short turns to navigate more difficult Blue moguls

Advanced/Expert

This level ranges from being comfortable on all groomed Black slopes and venturing into Squaw's more challenging areas to being comfortable in all conditions and want an instructor to guide and coach through Squaw's legendary big-mountain experience:

• Learn strategies and the skills to master difficult moguls, powder and steeps
• Carve perfect arcs or make laps in the pipes and parks
• Hone your skills to enjoy ALL that Squaw Valley offers