find your ski and snowboard level

Explore by dicipline

To ensure you are booking the right gear, or are taking the appropriate lesson and activity, use the following information to determine your ability level.

Snowboard Ability Chart


LEVEL
MY CURRENT ABILITY
LESSON GOALSMY TERRAIN
Level 1 BeginnerI would like to start from the beginning or I need help to stop.Confidently glide control my direction and stop on both edges.Flat green terrain, which may be accessed by a moving carpet.
Level 2 Learning to Turncan confidently glide & change my direction on both edges.I am learning to make single turns without assistance.I am comfortable on flat green terrain & may venture onto beginner terrain accessed by lifts.
Level 3 Linking TurnsI am learning to link my turns on green terrain.Linking my turns with more confidence & control & progressing to more challenging green terrain.I am using terrain in the beginner area, including moving carpets & chair lifts.
Level 4 Refining TurnsI can link turns on all green runs with control & confidence. I can ride all chairlifts.I am learning to make a variety of turn sizes & learning basic freestyle.I can ride all green terrain & am progressing to easy blue.
Level 5 IntermediateI can link turns on all blue runs & learning to ride in a variety of conditionsLearning powder, short turns, off piste & terrain park. All blue terrain, beginner terrain parks & easy black & off-piste.
Level 6 AdvancedI can ride in a variety of conditions including black runs & the terrain park.Refining my skills on steeps, trees, drops off piste riding & freestyle skills. I can snowboard in control expert terrain, both on & off piste in a variety of conditions.
Level 7 ExpertI ride in a variety of snow conditions/terrain at speed. I like to challenge myself & am experienced in powder.Expanding my mountain experience to include slack/backcountry riding, tighter trees, drops, freestyle & challenging myself at higher speedsI can snowboard aggressively & in control in a variety of off piste conditions & at varying speed.

Ski Ability Chart


LEVEL
MY CURRENT ABILITY
LESSON GOALSMY TERRAIN
Level 1 BeginnerI would like to start from the beginning. I cannot stop or glide.
Confidently stop & make single turns.
Flat green terrain, which may be accessed by a moving carpet.
Level 2 Learning to TurnI can confidently stop in a snow plough on flat slopes & can make single turns in a Snowplough.
To link my turns together confidently to control speed.
I am comfortable on flat green terrain & may venture onto beginner terrain accessed by lifts.
Level 3 Linking Turns
I can confidently link turns and control my speed while in a Snowplough.
I am learning to match my skis earlier in my turn, and vary my turn size and shape.
I am comfortable on green runs accessed by lifts. And would like to explore more similar terrain.
Level 4 Refining TurnsI can make parallel turns & a variety of turn sizes.
Refine my parallel turns, including learning to pole plant. While exploring more varied terrain & snow conditions.
I can ski most blue (red) terrain, however more advanced blue runs are a challenge.
Level 5 IntermediateStrong parallel turns with a pole plant on all blue terrain & some black terrain.
Learning how to manage a variety of snow conditions & terrain, including riding powder, short turns, carving, moguls & off piste skiing.
Able to ski comfortably on all blues & easy black runs. Learning to manage off piste terrain.
Level 6 AdvancedAble to ski in control in a variety of conditions/terrain.
Refining my skills on steeps, trees, drops off piste riding & freestyle skills.
I can ski in control in expert terrain, both on & off piste in a variety of conditions.
Level 7 ExpertI ride in a variety of snow conditions/terrain at speed. I like to challenge myself & am experienced in powder.
Expanding my mountain experience to include slack/backcountry riding, tighter trees, drops, freestyle & challenging myself at higher speeds.
I can ski aggressively & in control in a variety of off piste conditions & at varying speed.


Backcountry Ability Chart


LEVELMY CURRENT ABILITYRECOMMENDED FITNESSMY TERRAIN
Level 1 Intermediate
I can ride all blue terrain and easy black runs/off-piste.I can ride all day with a lunch break & short water breaksLift access easy backcountry, with no hiking


Level 2 Advanced
I can ride all black runs and trees off-pisteI can ride all day off piste runs and a small 20 minute hike will be fineLift access backcountry, including small hikes


Level 3 Expert
I can ride steep off piste terrain and deep powder in treesI can ride multiple days in the off piste in a row & I will have enough energy to skin/hike uphill on smaller mountainsMultiple Lift access backcountry days & introduction days touring in the backcountry


Level 4 God Level
I can ride technical off-piste terrain including tight trees, steeps, no fall zone. I can do this even after a big hikeI will have enough energy to skin/hike up the mountain multiple times throughout the day in the backcountryA full day backcountry day. For example: Chisenupuri


Level 5

I will have enough energy to skin/hike up for about 5 / 6 hours in the backcountryA big backcountry day. For example: Yotei zan

Rental Gear Ability Chart


LEVELMY CURRENT ABILITYRECOMMENDED SKI GEARRECOMMENDED SNOWBOARD GEAR
Beginner
Level 1 - 4 
You have never skied / snowboarded before 
OR; You have skied / snowboarded before but you’re not yet confident
on a gentle green run using snowplough turns / edges in both directions.
You’re still working on linking turns and nailing chairlifts.
Premium allows you flexibility to access ski's for any conditions. When learning it's important to have the right ski's for your learning conditions to make progression as easy as possible.We recommend the standard gear option for beginners. Standard boards are designed to help you effortlessly change edges and will be best to support you in the early stages of snowboarding. 
Intermediate
Level 5-6		You are now confident on greens and blues, can confidently link turns (snowboard) / make parallel turns (ski).
You are in control    on a variety of terrain, and chairlifts are a breeze.
Premium allows you flexibility to access ski's for any conditions. You'll likely want to have the freedom to swap you gear as conditions change to give you maximum progression.Premium allows you flexibility to access boards for any conditions. You'll likely want to have the freedom to swap you gear as conditions change to give you maximum progression.

Advanced
Level 7+

You’re shredding. You understand your gear set-up. You’re confident on blacks runs, potentially in park.

Premium all the way. You'll likely want to have the freedom to swap you gear as conditions change to give you maximum progression.
Premium all the way. You'll likely want to have the freedom to swap you gear as conditions change to give you maximum progression.

FIND THE PERFECT EXPERIENCE

Niseko Premium Private Lessons

For All Levels 

Full Day Experience

Private Instructor 

Includes Off-Snow Activity 

Elevate your Niseko experience with our Premium Private – a bespoke day tailored to your goals, on and off the snow.
Niseko Private Lessons

For All Levels

Flexible Times

Private Instructor

Rhythm Rides offer private lessons for everyone. Whether it's your first time on snow, or you’re comfortable ripping blacks, our lessons are tailored to meet all ability levels and goals.
Kids only
Ski & Snowboard Camp (AGES 7-14)

For All Levels

Best Kids Experience 

Monday - Friday Program

Rhythm Rides Futures Camp is specially designed for children aged 7-14, running full-day lessons from Monday to Friday with the same coaches and participants all week. 
Lift Access Backcountry

Level 5+

Head out of the gates & into the backcountry

Rhythm Rides offers lift-accessed backcountry guiding that will take you to remote backcountry terrain accessible via the resort. Our 6 hour tour is designed for intermediate and above riders. 
Niseko Resort Guiding

Level 4+

Explore Niseko's Best Resorts 

Are you an experienced rider but new to Niseko? Rhythm Rides offers Resort Guiding, the best way to discover the mountain by taking the guesswork out of where to find the best snow!
Learn To Ride Experience

Perfect For Beginners

Up to 6ppl / Same Experience Level

Private Instructor 

The mountains are for everyone... get ready to make your first turns this winter with Rhythm!
JaPow Experience

Level 5+

Access Niseko's Best Powder

Up to 5ppl / Ages 14+

Experience true Hokkaido and discover the bottomless powder that the region is famous for on expertly led tours by local guides.
Backcountry Touring

Level 5+

Escape the crowds and experience epic poweder

Whether it is your first experience touring, or you feel at home in the backcountry, a day touring in Niseko will take you away from the crowds to limitless options of untracked terrain and epic vi
Progression Experience

Level 4+

Up to 6ppl / Ages 7+

There is nothing more fun than improving! Spend a week with a highly-certified instructor to develop your riding beyond your own expectations – whatever your level.
Ultimate Family Experience

For All Levels

Kids Program + Adults Experiences

For families looking for a convenient package offering the best on-mountain experience for kids and adults.

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