Level 1: Strong Resort Skier Transitioning to Off-Piste & Touring

Confident skier or snowboarder on all piste terrain, including black runs. Able to maintain control in ungroomed snow such as shallow powder, chopped snow, and variable conditions.Limited ski touring experience but comfortable learning equipment use, including skins, transitions, and avalanche rescue equipment. Descents typically occur on mellow terrain that may include open alpine faces, bowls, and wide gullies.

Level 2 – Experienced Touring & Off-Piste Skier

Regular off-piste skier or splitboarder with developing touring experience. Able to ski controlled and linked turns in variable snow conditions, including deep powder, spring snow, hard-packed and patchy surfaces. Comfortable descending easy, non-intimidating steep terrain and managing tighter terrain such as couloirs or tree lines. If needed, able to use skidding or stepping to manage a short, non-exposed trickier section. Familiar with touring equipment, including skins, kick turns, avalanche transceiver use, and basic mountain travel techniques.

Level 3 – Advanced Ski Tourer

Highly competent off-piste skier or splitboarder with consistent touring experience. Able to ski confidently in complex terrain and steep slopes while maintaining fluid technique in all snow types. Comfortable performing uphill kick turns on steep skin tracks, and with experience using ski crampons and bootpacking. Confident in alpine terrain and challenging conditions.

Level 4 – Expert Backcountry Skier and Mountaineer

Expert-level skier or splitboarder with extensive touring experience in all types of terrains, including technical and glaciated terrain. Able to ski steep lines requiring jump turns and dedicated steep skiing techniques, as well as negotiate narrow couloirs and consequential terrain. Strong mountain awareness and ready to be included in the group’s decision-making process (snow/weather conditions, terrain choice, human factors). Comfortable with advanced techniques, including ski carrying, mixed climbing sections, rope-assisted travel, and complex transitions during ascents and descents.

Level 1 – Moderate Mountain Fitness

Able to sustain steady movement in the mountains for 4 to 5 hours per day. Typical ascents range from 500 to 800 metres of vertical gain. Suitable for shorter touring days, introductory ski touring trips, and programmes where lifts, snowcats, or vehicle access reduce the total ascent.

Level 2 – Strong Endurance Fitness

Able to maintain a consistent uphill pace (300 to 400 vertical meters per hour) for three to four hours per day while carrying a backpack and touring equipment and still having legs to control and enjoy the descents. Typical daily ascent ranges from 800 meters to 1200 metres vertical gain. Participants should be comfortable skinning continuously for extended periods and be able to repeat this effort for several consecutive days.

Level 3 – High Endurance and Expedition Fitness

Excellent aerobic endurance with the capacity for long mountain days. Typical daily ascent ranges around 1500 metres vertical gain, and the sky is the limit! Participants should maintain pace in steep terrain and remain efficient across multiple demanding days in remote alpine environments