{"id":37118,"date":"2026-01-06T13:18:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/?p=37118"},"modified":"2026-02-11T20:55:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:55:18","slug":"the-level-of-skiers-starts-with-advanced-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/the-level-of-skiers-starts-with-advanced-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"How good a skier am I really? A complete guide to ski levels"},"content":{"rendered":"<article style=\"max-width: 850px;margin: 0 auto;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;line-height: 1.8;color: #333;font-size: 18px\">\n<header style=\"margin-bottom: 40px;border-bottom: 2px solid #0073aa;padding-bottom: 25px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f8f9fa;padding: 15px;border-radius: 5px;margin-top: 15px;font-size: 16px;color: #555\"><strong>\ud83c\udfaf Why is it important?<\/strong> Correctly determining your level is critical for your safety, choosing the right equipment and a suitable group at ski school.<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>When you go to a ski locker or ski school in Bansko, the first question is always: <em>\u201e&quot;What is your level?&quot;\u201c<\/em>. Many people answer incorrectly \u2013 some underestimate themselves, while others (more often) overestimate themselves, which can lead to dangerous situations on the track.<\/p>\n<p>Skiing skills aren&#039;t just measured in years, but in technique and control. Here&#039;s a detailed breakdown of the 4 main levels to help you figure out where you fall.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 50px;border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius: 8px;overflow: hidden\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #27ae60;color: white;padding: 15px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0;font-size: 24px\">Level 1: Absolute Beginner (The First Timer)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 25px\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udc76 Who&#039;s here:<\/strong> People who have never skied, or tried once 10 years ago and don&#039;t remember anything.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding: 0\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\u23f1\ufe0f Experience:<\/strong> 0 to 3 days.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What you learn:<\/strong> How to put on your skis, how to keep your balance, how to fall safely and how to stop in the &quot;Plough\/Pizza&quot; position.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Suitable terrain:<\/strong> Only Nursery slopes and &quot;Magic Carpets&quot;.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udccd In <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/for-bansko\/\" title=\"Bansko\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"4490\">Bansko<\/a>:<\/strong> The ski trail (in the lowest flat part) and the training areas of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/banderishka-polyana-bansko-history-food-guide\/\" title=\"Banderishka meadow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1738\">Banderishka meadow<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e8f5e9;padding: 10px;border-left: 4px solid #27ae60;font-style: italic\">Goal: To learn to brake and control speed without falling.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 40px;border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius: 8px;overflow: hidden\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #2980b9;color: white;padding: 15px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0;font-size: 24px\">Level 2: Advanced Beginner (Learner \/ Plough Turner)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 25px\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udc66 Who&#039;s here:<\/strong> You can now stop and make turns on the &quot;Plough&quot; without falling. You are starting to ride a panic lift (tow).<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding: 0\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\u23f1\ufe0f Experience:<\/strong> 1 to 2 weeks (approx. 20-40 hours on snow).<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What you can:<\/strong> You connect turns on a plow. You start trying to bring the skis together parallel at the end of the turn.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Suitable terrain:<\/strong> Green and light Blue slopes.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udccd In Bansko:<\/strong> &quot;Shiligarnik 1&quot; track (the easy part), &quot;Platoto&quot; (the wide part).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #e3f2fd;padding: 10px;border-left: 4px solid #2980b9;font-style: italic\">Goal: To eliminate the &quot;plow&quot; and start skiing with parallel skis all the time.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 40px;border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius: 8px;overflow: hidden\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #c0392b;color: white;padding: 15px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0;font-size: 24px\">Level 3: Advanced (Intermediate \/ Parallel Skier)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 25px\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83c\udf93 Who&#039;s here:<\/strong> The most popular group of skiers. They ski with parallel skis on blue and red runs. They feel confident at speed.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding: 0\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\u23f1\ufe0f Experience:<\/strong> 3 to 8 weeks (or 3-5 seasons).<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What you can:<\/strong> You make parallel turns. You use the sticks for rhythm. You can stop abruptly (Hockey stop). You start learning &quot;Carving&quot; (riding on the edge).<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Suitable terrain:<\/strong> Blue and Red runs. The ice still scares you.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udccd In Bansko:<\/strong> The slopes &quot;Balkaniada&quot;, &quot;Kolarski Path&quot;, the upper part of &quot;Todorka&quot;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #ffebee;padding: 10px;border-left: 4px solid #c0392b;font-style: italic\">Goal: To improve carving technique and deal with steep sections and baboons.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 40px;border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius: 8px;overflow: hidden\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #2c3e50;color: white;padding: 15px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0;font-size: 24px\">Level 4: Expert (Advanced \/ Expert)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 25px\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\ude0e Who&#039;s here:<\/strong> Skiers who ski on everything \u2013 ice, deep snow, steep slopes and baboons. Their technique is dynamic and aggressive.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding: 0\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\u23f1\ufe0f Experience:<\/strong> Years of practice (over 10-15 weeks of active riding).<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What you can:<\/strong> Clean carving at high speed. Short turns in tight sections. Off-piste riding (Freeride).<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Suitable terrain:<\/strong> Dirt tracks and unpaved terrain.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\"><strong>\ud83d\udccd In Bansko:<\/strong> Tomba track, the chutes under Todorka Peak (with equipment only!).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #eceff1;padding: 10px;border-left: 4px solid #2c3e50;font-style: italic\">Goal: Searching for the perfect line and adrenaline in extreme conditions.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 50px\">\n<h2 style=\"color: #0073aa;font-size: 26px\">\ud83d\udcca Summary table<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse;text-align: left\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #333;color: white\">\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Level<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Technique<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Color track<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Equipment (Rental)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\"><strong>Beginner<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Plough<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd;color: #27ae60;font-weight: bold\">Green<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Soft, forgiving skis (Basic)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9\">\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\"><strong>Medium<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Initial parallel<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd;color: #2980b9;font-weight: bold\">Blue<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Medium hardness (Intermediate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\"><strong>Advanced<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Carving<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd;color: #c0392b;font-weight: bold\">Red<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Hard skis (VIP \/ Top)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9\">\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\"><strong>Expert<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">All terrains<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd;color: #000;font-weight: bold\">Black \/ Off-piste<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #ddd\">Race \/ Freeride skis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section style=\"margin-top: 40px;border-top: 2px solid #eee;padding-top: 20px\"><strong>Instructor tip:<\/strong> There is no shame in being a beginner. It is shameful to go on a red run without skills, endangering yourself and others. Be honest about your level and progress at a pace that brings you pleasure!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83c\udfaf \u0417\u0430\u0449\u043e \u0435 \u0432\u0430\u0436\u043d\u043e? \u041f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0438\u043b\u043d\u043e\u0442\u043e \u043e\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0435\u043b\u044f\u043d\u0435 \u043d\u0430 \u043d\u0438\u0432\u043e\u0442\u043e \u0435 \u043a\u0440\u0438\u0442\u0438\u0447\u043d\u043e \u0437\u0430 \u0432\u0430\u0448\u0430\u0442\u0430 \u0431\u0435\u0437\u043e\u043f\u0430\u0441\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442, \u0438\u0437\u0431\u043e\u0440\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u0438\u043b\u043d\u0430 \u0435\u043a\u0438\u043f\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043a\u0430 \u0438 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0445\u043e\u0434\u044f\u0449\u0430 \u0433\u0440\u0443\u043f\u0430 \u0432 \u0441\u043a\u0438 \u0443\u0447\u0438\u043b\u0438\u0449\u0435\u0442\u043e. \u041a\u043e\u0433\u0430\u0442\u043e \u043e\u0442\u0438\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435 \u0432 \u0441\u043a\u0438 \u0433\u0430\u0440\u0434\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0431 \u0438\u043b\u0438 \u0441\u043a\u0438 [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":37131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[8711,8709,8713,8707,8715,5847],"class_list":["post-37118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bez-categoriq","tag-karving-tehnika","tag-nachinaesth-skior","tag-sini-i-cherveni-pisti","tag-ski-niva","tag-ski-obuchenie","tag-ski-uchilisthe-bansko"],"cubewp_post_meta":[],"taxonomies":["\u0411\u0435\u0437 \u043a\u0430\u0442\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0438\u044f","\u043a\u0430\u0440\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0433 \u0442\u0435\u0445\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430","\u043d\u0430\u0447\u0438\u043d\u0430\u0435\u0449 \u0441\u043a\u0438\u043e\u0440","\u0441\u0438\u043d\u0438 \u0438 \u0447\u0435\u0440\u0432\u0435\u043d\u0438 \u043f\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438","\u0441\u043a\u0438 \u043d\u0438\u0432\u0430","\u0441\u043a\u0438 \u043e\u0431\u0443\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435","\u0441\u043a\u0438 \u0443\u0447\u0438\u043b\u0438\u0449\u0435 \u0411\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37118"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41802,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37118\/revisions\/41802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vbansko.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}