Let us help you make your decision...
When deciding on the best course for you, consider:
1) What do you want to get out of the course?
2) How long do you want to spend on a course?
3) What is your current snowboarding level? All of these are answered in the advice below.
Which phrase applies to you the most?
What ability do I need to be?
The chart below shows a rough outline of the MINIMUM standard you need to be to come on any of our courses. There is no maximum standard; many of our clients have already done several seasons before they join our courses. Every season we have the satisfaction of witnessing not only timid novices transform into tidy advanced snowboarders but already confident experts rid their bad habits and push themselves further than they have previously done.
The table below is a guide only; everyone improves at different rates due to instruction, fitness and natural ability. We are often able to custom make a package to suit your needs such as organising for you to arrive a few weeks before the start of the course to bring you up to standard. If you have any queries or are worried that your ability might not be suitable for one of our courses please give us a call.
Minimum ability & fitness required
| Course | Minimum Experience |
Minimum Ability Please refer to NONSTOP's guide to experience below |
Fitness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-week Banff | 1 week | Thirsty for more | Fairly fit |
| 11-week Fernie | 3 weeks | Rising Star | Fairly fit |
| 11-week Whistler | 3 weeks | Rising Star | Fairly fit |
| 11-week Red Mtn | 5 weeks | Intrepid explorer | Fit |
| 5-week instructor | 5 weeks | Rising Star | Fairly fit |
| 3-week instructor | 5 weeks | Intrepid explorer | Fit |
| 2/3-week improver | 3 weeks | Rising Star | Fairly fit |
| 2-week Snow Safari | 5 weeks | Intrepid Explorer | Fairly fit |
| MTM 6-week | 5 weeks | Intrepid explorer | Fit |
| Level 2 | CSIA Level 1 | CSIA Level 1 | Fit |
NONSTOP's guide to experience levels
| Thirsty for More | 1. Snowboarding is a new hobby of yours but you are hooked and want to learn more. 2. You can link turns on green runs (a linked turn is changing from one edge to the opposite edge). 3. You have a preferred edge you like being on and will side slip when the terrain gets too hard. 4. You have ridden down easier blue runs but steep blues and blacks are still intimidating. |
|---|---|
| Rising Star | 1. Your confidence on a board is growing and you can change edges as and when you need too. 2. You are exploring steeper terrain (blues and easier blacks or equivalent European reds) and making an effort not to side slip through difficult sections, but at times you have to revert to side slipping. 3. You are prepared and comfortable when pointing your board down the hill on easier blue terrain. 4. You have felt the sensation of ‘carving’ and being on an edge at speed. 5. You are happy too explore easier off-piste and un-groomed terrain. 6. You have toyed with riding switch but it is pretty uncomfortable. |
| Intrepid Explorer | 1. You are a confident snowboarder who enjoys riding a variety of terrain (including powder) but needs coaching to iron out bad habits. 2. You enjoy snowboarding on black runs and going fast on groomed terrain. 3. You can vary the size of your turn to suit the terrain. 4. Riding switch is becoming more comfortable and you willingly try it on a regular basis. 5. You are willing to push your riding in trees, moguls and steeps but need coaching and practice to become really comfortable. 6. Steep blacks and difficult off-piste cause bad habits to return. |
| The Mountain Tamer | 1. You have been snowboarding for years and are comfortable when asked to ride almost any terrain. 2. You can make adjustments in your snowboarding to allow for changing conditions whilst moving e.g. when riding from groomed to un-groomed or from a shallow pitch to a steeper pitch. 3. You have experience snowboarding trees, moguls, powder, choppy snow, ice and any other condition the mountain can throw up, even if you cannot always ride it with style. 4. You feel like you can ride anything but would like to be able to refine your technique and improve your control. 6. Riding switch is second nature to you. |
11-Week & Instructor Courses: Average age
Shorter Courses & Improvement Camps: Average Age
