Italian Ski School Classification in Ski Ability Levels: Book Your Lesson in Cervinia, Courmayeur, Champoluc
Ski Ability Levels at Italian Ski School in Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc
The ski ability levels in the Italian Ski School are defined by FISI (the Italian Federation for Winter Sport), through technical guidelines that represent the reference method in the Italian technical pathway for ski teaching.
In Italy, ski instructors are known as Maestro di Sci, and there is only one top qualification with no intermediate levels.
Whether you’re skiing in Cervinia, Courmayeur, or Champoluc, it’s important to match your ability level with the right lessons. Everyone progresses at their own pace, so finding the right ski lesson is crucial for both adults and children.
Many skiers struggle to define their own skill level, often classifying themselves as experts, intermediates, or beginners without clear, simple guidelines to help them understand their abilities.
In the 2018-2019 season FISI introduced a new, more detailed classification system:
Levels 1, 2, and 3 correspond to the old bronze category.
Levels 4 and 5 correspond to silver.
Levels 6 and 7 correspond to the old gold.
SKI-UNLIMITED follows the guidelines set by the Italian Ski Instructors Association to assess skiing skills, evaluating skiers’ abilities across three main levels.
Check Your Ski Ability Level >>
First Time Skier
A First Time Skier is someone who has never skied before or is not yet able to stop confidently on a gentle slope.
1. Beginner ❅ Bronze
A beginner skier has a set of fundamental skills aimed at getting comfortable on blue slopes and learning to control their movement, before advancing to more complex skills and steeper terrain.
Their abilities typically include:
✅ Basic Stance and Balance: A beginner skier knows how to stand properly on skis with weight centered over the skis. The arms are held forward to help with balance.
✅ Gliding on Flat Terrain: They can move smoothly on flat areas or gentle slopes, learning to control their speed by shifting weight and using basic edging techniques.
✅ Stopping (Snowplow or Pizza Stop): One of the first skills is learning to stop using the snowplow technique, where the skis are angled in a “V” shape. This helps them slow down and come to a stop safely.
✅ Turning (Snowplow Turns): Beginners can make simple turns using the snowplow position.
2. Intermediate ❅ Silver
An intermediate skier has acquired essential skills that allow them to ski confidently on a variety of slopes while continuing to refine their technique. Skiers in Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc will often feel comfortable skiing on red slopes, progressing toward more advanced skills like carving and handling more challenging terrain. An intermediate skier typically has the following abilities:
✅ Speed and Control: An intermediate skier can manage their speed by adjusting their turns and using techniques to slow down or speed up as needed. They can ski comfortably on red slopes and maintain control even when skiing at higher speeds.
✅ Turning Skills: They are skilled at making parallel turns and can adjust to both wide and tight turns.
✅ Carving: They are beginning to practice carving, using the edges of their skis for smooth, precise turns.
✅ Terrain Adaptability: Intermediate skiers are starting to handle different types of terrain, including powder and moguls, which are commonly found in the slopes of Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc.
3. Advanced ❅ Gold
An advanced skier has strong technical skills, physical strength, and mountain awareness, allowing them to navigate various terrains and conditions. They can confidently ski all red and black runs, in locations like Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc, including off-piste, moguls, powder, and challenging snow.
Key abilities for an advanced skier include:
✅ Steep Terrain: An advanced skier can ski confidently on black slopes in Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc, managing speed and control with ease.
✅ Carving: Advanced skiers are highly skilled at making precise, smooth turns on both hard and soft snow.
✅ Terrain Versatility: They are comfortable on groomed runs, moguls, powder, and off-piste terrain. In the ski areas of Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Champoluc, they can adjust their stance and technique to adapt to various snow conditions, from icy to powdery, while maintaining fluidity and control.
Book your ski lesson based on your skill level, as assessed by the Italian Ski School in Cervinia, Courmayeur, or Champoluc!
