Ski grade: what are the different levels?

During the winter, we take advantage of the downhill skiing in all its forms! But before you hit the slopes, it's important to know your Ski grade and that of his children to guarantee the safety of your descents. The level of skiing is indicative of the skier's ease and technical abilities. You know what you can and cannot do, and what type of terrain to work on. In this article, discover all the ski grades for children and adults.

What ski grade for children?

To ski before the age of 5

During your winter sports vacation, your little ones can also enjoy the joys of skiing and have their first experiences on skis thanks to the following grades:

Club Pioupiou (3 to 5 years old) : this club is present in all French winter resorts. It accompanies your toddler in learning to ski as part of a group lesson with a state-certified ski instructor.
Teddy bear level (from 4 years old) : Les Cours Ourson allows you to learn how to put on and take off skis by yourself, use the ski lifts, slide with the skis while controlling your speed and how to make elementary turns. This ski grade allows you to go down green slopes.
Snowflake level (from 5 years old): your child will know how to control their speed, brake and stop. He starts to skid on the slopes like the big boys and to go back on parallel skis to go down a slope.

To ski after 5 years

Once your child grows up, they can take group lessons in order to gradually reach each ski grade below:

1st star level : with this ski grade, your child knows how to slide on light to medium slopes, but also how to combine simple turns.
2nd star level : your child will learn to cross bumps and troughs, to perform the skater's step and to make more turns.
3rd star level : with this ski grade, your child can hit the slopes on varied terrain, ski with parallel skis, gain speed and brake while skidding.
Bronze Star Level : your child learns to make more or less tight turns, to stay balanced on all types of snow, and even to make swirl turns.
Silver Star Level : the young skier improves his precision to perfect his support and his style. He can perform his first simple tricks in ski jumping, but also Skier tout schuss safely.
Gold Star Level : the last ski grade for children, the gold star level allows you to improve your technique, for example to participate in the special children's slalom. The skier can combine turns and jumps on a giant mini slalom.

What ski grade for adults?

Adults are not left out! There is also a ski grade to attest to your level and your progress in skiing:

Beginner ski grade : learn to ski for the first time and get familiar with the equipment. Learn how to use the ski lifts, how to slide on developed land, and how to make a snowplough turn.
Ski grade 1: you will be able to control your speed, change direction and become more and more comfortable on skis.
Ski grade 2: Learn to skid and complete turns with parallel skis. You will also be more comfortable on all types of snow and types of terrain (slopes and bumps included).
Ski grade 3: You are finally ready to do rounded skids, swings and specific turns.
Ski grade 4: perfect your level to become a ski expert.

Enjoy the slopes in the Best ski resort in France and improve yourself over the years with individual lessons, group lessons and practice.

Performance levels

Finally, children also have the opportunity to pass tests with the ESF (École du Ski Français) to progress and obtain additional ski grades:

La Flèche level: 40 second test.
Le Chamois level: special slalom for the SkiOpen ranking.
La Fusee level: slalom event for the SkiOpen ranking.
The Record Level: kilometer test launched.
Skiercross level: sequences of modules on a technical course.
Le Saut level: long jump event with springboard.
Ski Level: obtaining at least two identical levels (Arrow, Chamois, Rocket, Jump).

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