Guide to Lessons
Learning to ski or ride at Aspen Snowmass will have you hooked on the sport. Learn more about navigating Aspen Snowmass’ Ski & Snowboard Schools' offerings with this guide.
First Off, Know Your Level

A skier on a wide-open "groomer" at Aspen Snowmass.
Skiing
Find A LessonGreen Zone Skier
Level 1: “I’ve never skied.”
Level 2: “I can slide, slightly change direction, and come to a stop.” – Green terrain
Level 3: “I can link basic/wedge turns together without stopping on the easiest green terrain. My turns are usually all the same size.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I am linking turns together smoothly on all green terrain. I can make narrow and wide turns” – All green and easiest blue.
Blue Zone Skier
Level 5: “I am skiing mostly parallel in a couple different turn sizes and shapes on most blue terrain. I am beginning to use my poles and can hockey stop in both directions.” - All green terrain and most blue terrain.
Level 6: “I am skiing parallel and confidently on all groomed blue terrain. I am exploring un-groomed trails and the easiest bumps. I usually make the same turn sizes and shapes on un-groomed trails.” – All groomed blues, easy blue bumps, easy groomed blacks.
Level 7: “I am able to make parallel turns with a pole plant on all blue and black terrain. I am exploring un-groomed black terrain, including bumps. I can change my turn sizes and shapes for the different challenges.” – All blue terrain and most black terrain
Black Zone Skier
We recommend clinics
Level 8: “I am making different turns sizes and shapes, including rhythmic short turns and large carved turns, on all blue and black terrain (groomed or un-groomed). I feel comfortable exploring harder blacks and easier double black terrain.” – All black and easy double blacks terrain.
Level 9: “I can ski the entire mountain and am working on skiing faster, smoother, difficult lines, and learning different strategies in the hardest terrain and snow conditions.” – Entire mountain.
Snowboarding
Find a LessonGreen Zone Snowboarder
We recommend lessons
Level 2: “I have experienced sliding, traversing both directions, and stopping.” – Green terrain
Level 3: “I can control my speed while moving across the hill, and can stop with confidence. I am starting to turn in both directions.” – Green terrain
Level 4: “I can link skidded turns on green terrain.” – All green terrain
Blue Zone Snowboarder
We recommend clinics
Level 5: “I am confident on all green terrain and working on easy blue terrain.” – All green terrain and easiest blue terrain
Level 6: “I am riding most blue terrain, and exploring switch riding, easy bumps, and freestyle.” – All blue terrain
Level 7: “I am able to ride all blue terrain in varied conditions and working on easy black terrain, including bumps, trees, and terrain parks.” – All blue terrain and groomed black terrain.
Black Zone Snowboarder
We recommend clinics
Level 8: “I am confident performing dynamic turns on varied terrain and snow conditions, including trees, steeps and powder.” – All black terrain and easier double-black diamond terrain
Level 9: “I am confident riding the entire mountain. I am working on a variety of tactics and techniques that will take me to the next level.” – Entire mountain
Private or Group Lesson?
Four Mountains of Learning
Ready to hit the slopes? Explore all of our Ski & Snowboard Lesson options and book your lesson today.
Additional Guidance on Lessons

Why Everyone Should Take a Ski or Snowboard Lesson
There are several reason why everyone should take a ski or snowboard lesson, but the most important one might not be so obvious.
Inside Look: Aspen Snowmass' Guided Experience



Inside Look: Aspen Snowmass' Guided Experience
Want to get the inside scoop on the best terrain and conditions (without taking a private lesson)? Go along for one of our guided experiences with this first-person story from Aspen Highlands.