This is a nice summary of the levels as outlined by PSIA.
●Level 1 Aspirations: (You have never skied before; perhaps you only want to try the sport out or you may already be committed to learn it.) Learn about equipment, how to walk and slide with skis parallel, climb using ski edges, turn while standing in place (bullfighter turn), turn while sliding by stepping, tip skis to turn, turn using the gliding wedge (snowplow, skis are in a V with the point in front), stop gradually using the braking wedge, how to fall and how to get up, and ride a surface and/or chair lift. Learn basic ski skills: twisting the legs, tilting the skis, and managing the amount and distribution of pressure on the skis. (Level 1 is the hardest ski lesson you'll ever take; it will give you the alphabet to "read" the "book" of skiing and you will learn the most in any lesson you will ever take; you might not complete all the elements above but if you can adequately turn and stop on the learning hill, you should be able to go on to level 2 ; look forward to level 2 for more fun.) Ski on practice slopes ("palest" green).
●Level 2 Aspirations: Groove in what was learned in Level 1. Add elements not covered earlier. Then, with foot tilting, turn the skis up the hill to slow and stop, then down the hill to make a complete turn. Also learn more about foot steering to change direction, improve gliding wedge turns and link them in S's, vary turn shapes, ski slightly faster speeds, improve balance, traverse. Ski on steeper parts of practice slopes ("pale" green).
●Level 3 Aspirations: Still starting turns by tipping the skis or in the gliding wedge, either maintain the skis parallel or steer them (as in a wedge christie) with the feet to parallel by the turn's finish, with skidding; ski a bit faster speeds than in level 2 so that speed that comes with steeper slopes can be managed. Move to easier green (easiest) slopes.
●Level 4 Aspirations: Still starting turns either by tipping them while parallel or using the gliding wedge, with the feet maintain or steer skis (making an intermediate wedge christie) to parallel in mid-turn ; sideslip; do skidded parallel turns to a stop (hockey stop); ski faster speeds. Move to steeper green slopes, longer runs.
●■Level 5 Aspirations: Still starting turns either by tipping them while parallel or using the gliding wedge, with the feet maintain the skis parallel or steer skis (making an advanced wedge christie) to parallel before mid-turn; optionally begin using ski-pole touches; explore easier blue terrain; experience uneven slopes and easier ungroomed snow conditions; ski still faster speeds; explore more of the mountain and begin to experience the full pleasures and joys of skiing. Ski steeper green slopes, more difficult parts of green slopes and easy blue slopes.
■Level 6 Aspirations: Stay in the parallel position throughout turns, tipping and steering skis with feet to produce turns; begin learning pure edged turns and pure steered turns; use ski poles in varied ways, experience shallower powder and smaller bumps, adjust skiing speed at will regardless of slope angle or snow type, vary turn shape, optionally run gates. By level 6, start analyzing what you hear about skiing equipment and technique so you know it makes sense to you and "try it before you buy it". Your personal goals and body attributes may indicate special choices from the buffet available. Ski more difficult blue slopes.
■♦Level 7 Aspirations: Expand skills into powder and bumps and ungroomed snow. Link short-radius turns. Isolate the skills of turning by pivoting the skis versus turning by tilting them, run gates, ski advanced terrain. Start making tactical choices to apply mechanics to situations of snow texture and terrain. Ski blue and black slopes.
♦Level 8 Aspirations: Apply tactical variations to turns for effect in varying conditions or for intent, let tilting the ski become the main tool for turning you instead of you twisting the ski with your foot, except in special situations like bumps or quick stops. Explore alternate turn entries--converging, parallel step, diverging, inside ski, one ski. Ski on black slopes and possibly double-black (extreme) slopes.
♦♦Level 9 Aspirations: Ski bumps with short or long-radius turns, ski deep powder, ski steeps, run gates; use the carved turn as your principal turning method but apply tactical choices accurately for conditions or intent; get into organized skiing as a racer, race official, instructor, or patrolman. Ski all slopes in all conditions is the ultimate goal, recognizing that Olympic racers and extreme skiers are in another zone of level 9.
From
www.skimybest.com
.)
