To help you estimate your current level of descending, climbing, physical condition and avalanche knowledge, you can use the different levels as defined by WePowder:
Descending
- Tourist: You ski or snowboard confidently on red and black runs, but in the off-piste, you stick to just playing around and experimenting.
- Beginner: You ski or snowboard confidently on all types of runs (including moguls) and ski routes. You handle off-piste terrain well, provided it is not too steep (<30°) and there’s good visibility.
- Advanced: You ski or snowboard confidently in all conditions on all types of runs (including mogul fields) and ski routes. Off-piste, you can handle slopes up to 35° in good conditions. You also manage traverses, couloirs, and tree skiing quite well. You still struggle with certain snow types, such as breakable crust (bruchharsch).
- Expert: You can descend steep slopes (<40°) in all snow conditions and, given good conditions, can tackle more technical terrain (<45°).
- Elite: You ride with stability and great confidence off-piste in all conditions (such as steep terrain, poor visibility, and difficult snow). You also possess the experience needed to explore high-alpine terrain on skis.
Climbing
- Tourist: You have no desire to climb; what do you think the lifts were built for?
- Beginner: You can handle a short, flat hike near the lift.
- Advanced: You have the ability to ski-tour independently and recreationally in terrain up to 28°.
- Expert: You possess specific touring techniques such as kick turns (spitzenkehren) and descending with skins on. You handle slopes up to 38°.
- Elite: You possess excellent touring techniques and are also knowledgeable about using ice axes and crampons, as well as basic rope techniques. The slope angle does not exceed 45°.
Fitness
- Tourist: Your fitness level is not particularly high. Skiing down a piste in one go is a struggle, and your thighs are completely exhausted by the end of the day.
- Beginner: You have enough fitness to get through a day on the piste, but skiing off-piste is a different story. You often need to stop to catch your breath.
- Advanced: You have sufficient fitness to handle a day in the backcountry. You are also fit enough to undertake a hike of up to 30 minutes in deep snow, walking uphill.
- Expert: You can undertake longer day tours and skin uphill for several hours (up to 5).
- Elite: You have exceptional fitness. Multi-day tours pose no problem, and you do not need significant extra training for a specific tour.
Avalanche knowledge
- Tourist: You might recognize some terms from the avalanche bulletin, but you have not yet taken a formal avalanche safety course.
- Beginner: You understand the meaning of the rating in an avalanche bulletin, can determine slope steepness (both on a map and on the mountain itself), and recognize warning signs in the terrain. You have previously received instruction on avalanche safety in a course. You use a “stop-or-go” method and remain alert to group dynamics.
- Advanced: You have a solid understanding of the avalanche bulletin, can work with slope aspects, and recognize warning signs in the terrain. You are fully proficient in performing a rescue (searching, probing, shoveling, and first aid). You have repeatedly engaged with avalanche safety training in a course setting.
- Expert: You have mastered Munter’s complete method and can flexibly apply its various options while fully recognizing the risks associated with every choice. You have practiced multiple-burial scenarios and know how to analyze the snowpack on-site.
- Elite: You spend almost all your time in the mountains. You are well-versed in a wide range of hazards and rescue techniques, applicable to both standard terrain and glaciers. You are an expert in weather, avalanches, navigation, wilderness first aid, group dynamics, and rescue operations. You have mastered fundamental alpine techniques involving ropes, crampons, and ice axes.