Kids Ability Levels

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!

Please note: these descriptions provide the minimum requirements for registration in each ability level in a group environment.

Age: 3 to 4 Years

Ready Teddies - Kids Carpet

I know my instructors name and where to meet
I can balance and walk on 2 skis
I can straight run on my own
I can make a wedge and stop on my own with an Edgie Wedgie
I can ride the Kids Carpet safely

Eager Elephants - Magic Carpet

I know all the equipment I need to go skiing
I am a good listener and can follow instructions
I can control my speed and stop using a snow plow
I am learning to follow my instructors turns
I watch where I am going and look out for others

Speedy Squirrels - Plaza

I can put on my equipment without assistance
I am learning to stand up by myself
I can ride a chairlift when supervised
I can confidently ski without an Edgie Wedgie
I can follow my instructors turns wherever they go

Jumping Joeys - Green

I can stand up on my own
I can follow more challenging directions
I can ski in a class line on all green runs
I am starting to match my skis on gentle terrain
I know the rules for staying safe on the mountain

Racing Racoons - Blue

I ski intermediate terrain confidently
I use a pole plant to start my turns
I am improving my turns on bumps
I am continuously improving on blue runs and some black runs
I am improving my safety and learning the mountain

Skiers Age: 5 to 7 Years

Sliders - Magic Carpet

Can take equipment on and off without assistance
Can shuffle, walk and sidestep to move around on flat terrain
Stays balanced in a straight glide
Able to brake using a snowplow
Controls direction and speed on the magic carpet

Plaza Rangers - Plaza

Understands and demonstrates chairlift safety
Links snowplow turns
Maintains contact and balance on gentle uneven terrain
Controls speed using direction change
Skis the top to the bottom of Plaza at a consistent speed

Snow Rangers - Green

Demonstrates slope awareness and makes safe choices
Can stop safely in a group (behind and below)
Controls speed using turn shape
Can roll the inside ski onto the uphill edge while turning
Shows a centered stance while turning on all green runs

Trail Blazers - Blue

Holds poles safely and correctly
Demonstrates a variety of turn shapes that match the terrain (Short/Medium/Long)
Skis in a parallel stance on all green runs
Knows and follows the Skier Responsibility code
Adapts to ungroomed snow conditions on all blue terrain

Mountain Explorers - Black

Continually improves a well-timed pole plant
Continually improves control on easy bump runs
Continually improves turn shape to match the terrain and outcome
Continually improves parallel turns on blue runs
Continually improves short turns on black runs

Snowboarders Age: 5 to 7 Years

Groomers - Magic Carpet

Knows what you need to snowboard and can carry it by myself
Skates, Straight Runs, Stops & Climbs with one foot attached
Can stand up and get into the Ready Position
Can slide and stop when Side slipping (Heel or Toe edge)
Can change direction

Cruisers - Magic Carpet

Zig Zag master (heel and toe side)
Can Pendulum on toes and heels
Weight is balanced evenly between the feet while riding
Can turn the board out of the fall line
Can use a heel/toe drag to change direction when getting off the carpet

Snowsurfers - Plaza

Understands and demonstrates the alpine responsibility code
Able to get on, ride, & get off the chairlift safely
Can make single C turns from one edge to another
Can maintain momentum on flat sections
Links sliding turns from top to the bottom of Plaza

Freeriders - Green

Moves up and down to maintain stability and control
Able to link turns smoothly and controls speed using turn shape
Performs symmetrical turns on heel and toe side
Uses planes of balance to press and ollie
Shows a fluid turns on all green runs

Shredders - Blue

Continually improves body position to affect balance
Continually improves ability to absorb bumpy terrain
Continually improves freestyle (switch, flat spins) outside of the terrain park
Continually improves ability in variable snow and on ungroomed terrain
Continually improves ability to change line in bumps

Skiers Age: 8-12 Years

Starters - Magic Carpet

Identifies and uses the equipment needed for skiing
Can shuffle, walk and sidestep to move around on flat terrain
Maintains balance while gliding in a straight run
Able to brake using a snowplow
In control of direction and speed on the magic carpet

Plaza Cutters - Plaza

Understands and demonstrates chairlift safety
Can navigate mountain traffic and merge points safely
Controls speed using direction change
Maintains balance on uneven terrain
Skis the top to the bottom of plaza at a consistent speed

Ridge Cutters - Green

Matches turn size to the terrain
Controls speed using turn shape
Safe use of poles in a centered stance
Can roll the inside ski onto the uphill edge when turning
Uses joints to maintain snow contact on all ungroomed green terrain

Carvers - Blue

Correctly times pole plants
Maintains control on tricky or narrow sections without using a snowplow
Skis remain parallel and grip continually throughout the turn
Has centered stance in blue terrain and in changing conditions
Shows a round turn shape and absorption on all ungroomed blue terrain

High Flyers - Black

Demonstrates clear upper/lower body separation while turning
Uses all joints to effectively to absorb bumps while taking a direct line
Observes terrain park etiquette and makes a plan when practicing basic freestyle tricks
Able to do parallel short turns in variable snow on Black terrain
Able to stay in a corridor when skiing expert mogul runs

Hot Shots - Double Black

Continually improve ski performance on groomed snow
Continually improve freestyle tricks in and out of the terrain park
Continually improve line control in challenging snow, bumps and steeps
Continually improve steering skills for precision and variation
Give 100% - 100% of the time

Snowboarders Age: 8 to 12 Years

Rookies - Magic Carpet

Can identify & use all parts of the snowboard
Skates, Straight Runs, Stops & Climbs with one foot attached
Can stand up and get into the Ready Position
Can slide and stop when Side slipping (Heel or Toe edge)
Zig-Zags & Stops on the Magic Carpet

Grommets - Magic Carpet

Zig Zag master (heel and toe side)
Can Pendulum on toes and heels
Weight is balanced evenly between the feet while riding
Can turn the board out of the fall line
Can use a heel/toe drag to change direction when getting off the carpet

Ziggers - Plaza

Understands and demonstrates the alpine responsibility code
Able to get on, ride, & get off the chairlift safely
Can make single C turns going from one edge to the other
Can maintain momentum on flat sections
Links sliding turns all the way down the Plaza Chair

Linkers Green/Blue

Moves up and down to maintain stability and control
Able to link turns smoothly and controls speed using turn shape
Performs symmetrical turns on heel and toe side
Intro to basic freestyle moves (switch and flat ground)
Shows fluid turns on easy blue runs

Rippers - Blue/Black

Balanced and mobile body position
Able to take off and land safely on small natural jumps
Navigates the terrain park safely & makes a plan when practicing basic tricks
Comfortable turning in variable snow and on ungroomed terrain
Shows a round turn shape and absorption on easy black bump runs

Hotshots - Black/Double Black

Continually improve board performance on groomed snow
Continually improve precise movements to affect steering
Continually improve freestyle tricks in and out of the terrain park
Continually improve pressure control skills on a variety of terrain and in challenging conditions
Give 100% - 100% of the time