The colours on this page refer to the North America system of grading runs. See "what do the colours mean?" for more information.

You can make rhythmic wedge turns on any green run and occasionally your skis come parallel at the end of your turns. You feel comfortable skiing some of the easy blue trails.

You keep your skis parallel most of the time on green and easy blue runs but only some of the time on more difficult blue runs. You feel comfortable on all intermediate terrain. You want to learn to use your poles and start developing a consistent parallel turn.

You can make parallel turns linked by pole plants. You keep your skis parallel on most blue runs if the conditions are good. When you ski on difficult blue runs, or if the conditions are challenging, you often revert back to a wedge to start your turns. You want to learn the basics of carving.

You can make parallel turns in any intermediate condition and on any intermediate terrain. You want to better your carving skills so you can ski more consistently. Blue and some black runs.

You can link short turns in variable snow conditions. You have the skills of an advanced skier, but you want to learn the secrets of skiing different terrain and snow conditions Mostly black runs.

You can ski confidently on any expert terrain and in any snow condition. Black and double black diamond runs.