What Type of Skier are You?

If you are into skiing then you should know what type of skier that you are. This is an important question because ski resorts label their slopes accordingly. Are you a beginner, an advanced skier, an expert, or the extreme skier? You might not think that it really matters but it does so that when you arrive at the slopes and are ready to ski, you certainly would not want to be a novice and end up on an extreme slope.

Experts can handle many things that beginners can’t and an extreme skier might be bored on such a slope. If you are an expert you should be able to hold your own different styles of terrain with various snow covered conditions including moguls, trees, and steeps and in any combination as well. You should also be able to maintain full control on any snow surface including powder, crud, ice, etc. This includes snow that has or not be groomed as well. You should also be able to make quick turns, maintain balance and control always, and have the ability to make fast adjustments in speed. The expert skier can’t wait to cover every inch of unexplored terrain. If you are an expert then you should also be able to maintain control on a run with a 40-degree pitch that has trees, tight moguls, and even when the snow has not been groomed with a good degree of confidence.

Advanced skiers should be able to handle blue or black runs and everything that an intermediate level slope has to offer. Usually you will encounter snow conditions that are groomed yet hard packed and you should be able to handle mid-radius parallel turns under these conditions. The extreme skier is the daredevil and anything goes. They will generally drop off steep cliffs not give a second thought to skiing off-piste. Extreme skiers are usually risk takers, to say the least. The novice skiers, well, let’s just say that everyone can spot them a few miles away. They walk in their skis rather than glide and they are likely to be found on the ground more than standing up.

At most resorts you will find the least of novice skiers because they are not yet ready to handle long runs, deep snow, and big moguls. Beginners usually like to play it a bit more safe and frequent well groomed trails with lots of room to practice turning without the threat of being ran over by the others.

It is very important that when you are skiing that you know what type of skiers that you are so that you can ski with others that are at your same level. There is going to be a time when you have practiced enough and feel more confident when you can move on to other playing fields. Categorizing your ski type is good and safe as well. It allows you room to grow and eventually you will know where you want to be and you will get there.

Originally posted 2008-10-31 04:55:31.

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