Skill Levels | Ski + Snowboard | New Hartford, CT | Ski Sundown

What's your ability?

Skill Level Guide

At Ski Sundown, we want everyone to enjoy the mountain safely. In order to achieve this, we have provided a guide to evaluate your skiing or snowboarding ability. When you sign up for a lesson, program, or even rent equipment, it is critically important to know what your true skill level is. This will ensure that you are placed in the correct lesson level, and that your equipment is safely adjusted for your needs. It will also help guide you when selecting which trails you are ready to ski on. Your experience on the slopes will be that much more enjoyable if you are skiing and riding at your ability.

For more safe skiing/riding tips, see our NSAA “Know the Code” information.

Ability Guide for Skiers

Skier Levels

First Time

New to the sport or returning and needing another introduction. Ready to learn the basics on equipment, turning, stopping and chair lift procedures.

Novice

Riding the chair lifts independently and skiing independently, making wedge turns on beginner terrain. Ready to discover linking turns, changing the size, shape and rhythm of turns, pole use, skating and introduction to parallel turns.

Intermediate

Exploring intermediate terrain making small wedge or beginning parallel turns. Ready to build more confidence by skiing many different turn shapes and sizes on more challenging terrain and in different conditions.

Advanced

Making consistent parallel turns on advanced terrain. Ready to explore all the mountain has to offer by learning the skills and tactics that it takes to ski steeper terrain, moguls and variable snow conditions.

Ability Guide for Riders

Snowboarder Levels

First Time

New to the sport or returning and needing another introduction. Ready to learn the basics on equipment, turning, stopping and chair lift procedures.

Novice

Riding the chair lifts independently and snowboarding independently, controlling direction and speed on beginner terrain. Ready to discover speed control through heel and toe edge movements and intro to linking turns.

Intermediate

Exploring intermediate terrain using linked turns to control direction. Ready to learn speed control through turn shape and intro to carving and ground tricks.

Advanced

Making carved turns on advanced terrain. Ready to discover advanced carving skills, switch riding, moguls or intro to aerials.

Your responsibility code

Know The Code.

Skiing and snowboarding are dynamic, fluid sports of motion in a winter environment that requires constant awareness and judgment by skiers or snowboarders to overcome the inherent risks of the sport. Ski Sundown is committed to skiing or snowboarding safety and expects all skiers or snowboarders who choose to ski or snowboard at Ski Sundown to follow Your Responsibility Code listed below and other posted rules and regulations that are designed to make a visit to Ski Sundown a great experience for everyone.

  1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
  3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
  4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
  5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
  7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
  9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Know and Obey the Code. It’s Your Responsibility.
If you need help understanding the Code, please ask an employee.