Tourist: You ski or board steadily on red and black slopes, but in powder you’re just playing around and trying things out.
Beginner: You ski or board steadily on all types of slopes (including mogul runs) and ski routes. In not-too-steep (<30°) and open terrain, you can handle yourself off-piste quite well.
Advanced: You ski or board steadily in all conditions on all types of slopes (including moguls) and ski routes. Off-piste, you can ride up to 45° slopes under good conditions. You manage traverses, couloirs, and tree skiing fairly well. You still struggle with some snow types like crust (Bruchharsch).
Expert: You have strong technical skills and feel at home on steep terrain, couloirs (45°), challenging faces, and in all snow types.
Elite: You can ski or board confidently and steadily off-piste in all conditions (including glaciers, steep terrain, poor visibility, and difficult snow), except for the most extreme lines.
Climbing
Tourist: You don’t want to climb—why do you think lifts were invented?
Beginner: You can handle a short and flat hike near the lift.
Advanced: You’re capable of touring or hiking recreationally in terrain steeper than 25°.
Expert: You have specific touring techniques such as kick turns (Spitzenkehren) and can descend on skins. Slopes don’t get steeper than 38°.
Elite: You have excellent touring techniques and also know how to use an ice axe, crampons, and basic rope techniques. Slopes can reach up to 45°.
Fitness
Tourist: Your fitness isn’t great. It’s hard to ski a run in one go, and by the end of the day, your thighs are completely spent.
Beginner: You have enough fitness to get through a day on-piste, but skiing off-piste is another story. You need to stop often to catch your breath.
Advanced: You have enough fitness to manage a full day in the backcountry. You can also handle hikes up to 30 minutes.
Expert: You ski just as smoothly at the end of the day as at the beginning. Hikes of an hour are no problem.
Elite: You’re in top shape. Multi-day tours are no issue, and you don’t need much extra training for a specific tour.
Knowledge
Tourist: You might know a few terms from the avalanche bulletin, but you haven’t taken a basic avalanche course.
Beginner: You understand what the number in the avalanche report means, can assess slope angle (both on a map and on the mountain), and recognize warning signs. You regularly practice with your avalanche beacon. You’ve completed a basic avalanche course. You use a Stop-or-Go method and stay alert to group dynamics.
Advanced: You understand the full avalanche bulletin, can work with slope aspects, and recognize all warning signals. You know exactly how to carry out a rescue (searching, probing, digging, and first aid). You’ve taken an advanced avalanche course.
Expert: You master the complete Munter method, can utilize all its tools, but also see all the risks. You’re an expert in handling multiple burial rescues. You’ve completed an expert avalanche course.
Elite: You’re almost constantly in the mountains. You’re familiar with all hazards and rescue techniques, both in normal terrain and on glaciers. You’re an expert in weather, avalanches, navigation, wilderness first aid, group dynamics, and rescue operations. You master essential alpine techniques with rope, crampons, and ice axe.
