Rider Level Guidelines

Choosing the right holiday starts with choosing the right level of riding. We've developed a simple rider level guide to help you work out which Maverix European winter holiday is the best fit for you. If you're unsure where you sit, feel free to contact us directly and we'll be happy to help.

Level 1 Riders

Level 1 is aimed at riders who are comfortable getting around the mountain and have a solid foundation across piste riding, with some experience of freestyle and riding beyond the piste.

You don't need to be an expert in every area, but you should be confident controlling your board across a range of piste terrain and comfortable riding for a full day. Some off-piste experience is useful, although previous experience on more challenging terrain isn't essential.

The emphasis is on being comfortable, independent and adaptable enough to enjoy a varied day on the mountain as part of a small group.

Key Requirements

  • Piste riding level - You should be able to negotiate a turn within 3 metres, put your bindings on while standing up, ride flatbase for 10 metres and ride one-footed. You should be able to perform a J-turn to stop safely for a lift exit within 5 metres, and then progress beyond 10 metres. You should be comfortable linking turns on green, blue and red pistes, and able to get down a black piste using a few controlled, safe turns. You should also be able to link 3–5 switch turns on a green or blue piste.
  • Off-piste riding level - You may already have some off-piste experience, but we don't require a specific previous experience level for this holiday. You should be comfortable riding terrain away from the piste that is broadly equivalent in steepness to green and blue pistes.
  • Freestyle riding level - You should be comfortable completing a straight air on a blue jump with a 1–3 metre table, and able to ride a 50/50 on a box or rail.
  • Fitness - You should be comfortable riding for sustained periods without a break, including 2–3 hour blocks within a typical 7-hour riding day. You should also be able to handle a series of 5–15 minute hikes in snow while carrying a board or backpack with safety equipment, if required to access more interesting terrain.

Other considerations

  • Equipment & preparations - You should be comfortable looking after your own equipment and making basic adjustments to suit changing conditions and terrain. For holidays involving off-piste riding, you'll need to have or hired the appropriate safety equipment and understand how to use it when required. Our Kit Lists provide more detail on what to bring.
  • Organised and punctual - Small groups work best when everyone is ready to go. Meeting times, lift arrangements and other plans will be agreed in advance, so please be punctual and make sure you have the equipment you need for the day. Turning up late or without essential kit can affect the whole group's riding time.
  • Considerate riding - You'll be riding as part of a small group, both on and off piste. Please ride with awareness of the people around you, leave appropriate space and avoid putting other riders at unnecessary risk. We're a crew for the week, so looking out for each other matters.
  • Safety & Independence - These holidays aren't formal coaching programmes. You should be comfortable making sensible decisions about your own riding and staying within your ability. We'll discuss the day's plans and any relevant safety considerations, but you remain responsible for your own equipment, riding and decisions.
  • Flexibility - Mountain conditions can change quickly. Weather, wind, snow conditions, avalanche risk, lift availability, piste closures and other factors may mean that the day's riding doesn't follow the original plan. We'll adapt where necessary to make the most of the conditions while keeping the group safe.

Level 2 Riders

Level 2 is aimed at experienced riders who are comfortable across the mountain and have developed a good range of piste, off-piste and freestyle skills.

You should be confident riding more challenging terrain, adapting your riding to changing snow conditions and dealing with natural features such as steeper sections, trees, small drops and uneven terrain. You should also have enough experience to ride independently and make sensible decisions about your own ability.

We're looking for riders who enjoy exploring, are comfortable with a more varied and technical day on the mountain, and can contribute positively to a small group of experienced riders.

Key Requirements


  • Piste riding level - You should be confident riding all marked pistes and maintaining control as terrain becomes steeper, narrower, busier or more uneven. You should be able to link controlled turns across a range of piste conditions, including steeper sections, and adapt your riding to changes in gradient, surface and terrain. You should also be comfortable riding switch and using basic board-handling skills such as riding one-footed, riding flatbase and managing lift exits independently.
  • Off-piste riding level - You should already have some experience riding away from marked pistes and be comfortable dealing with variable snow and natural terrain. This may include steeper sections, trees, uneven snow, small natural features and other terrain where the surface and conditions can change from run to run. You should be able to adapt your riding to the terrain rather than relying on a single turn style or technique, and be comfortable putting your bindings on and getting moving again in deeper snow.
  • Freestyle riding level - You should have a reasonable level of general board control and be comfortable experimenting with your riding. This could include basic jumps, riding switch, boxes or rails, and simple flatland movements such as ollies, nose rolls or tail rolls. You don't need to be a park specialist, but you should be comfortable using your board creatively and adapting your riding when the terrain provides an opportunity.
  • Fitness - You should be comfortable riding for sustained periods without needing frequent breaks, including 2–3 hour blocks within a typical full riding day.
  • Independent & adaptable - You should be comfortable making your own decisions about your riding and staying within your ability. Mountain conditions can change quickly, so the day's riding may move between piste, off-piste, trees, natural features and other terrain depending on what's available. You need to be comfortable adapting rather than expecting a fixed itinerary. You're joining a small group of experienced riders, so awareness of the people around you, sensible decision-making and a willingness to adapt are all part of being a good fit.

Other considerations

  • Equipment & preparation - You should be comfortable looking after your own equipment and making basic adjustments to suit changing conditions and terrain. For holidays involving off-piste riding, you'll need the appropriate safety equipment and should be familiar with its use where required. Our Kit Lists provide more detail on the equipment needed for each trip. For Level 2 riders, we would expect you to be reasonably self-sufficient with your equipment rather than relying on the group or host to sort things out.
  • Organised and punctual - Small groups work best when everyone is ready to go. Meeting points, lift arrangements and other plans will be agreed in advance, so please be punctual and make sure you have the equipment you need for the day. Turning up late or without essential kit can affect the whole group's riding time.
  • Considerate riding - You'll be riding as part of a small group, both on and off piste. Please ride with awareness of the people around you, leave appropriate space and avoid putting other riders at unnecessary risk. More challenging terrain can require greater awareness of what's happening around you, so good judgement and consideration for the rest of the group are important. We're a crew for the week, so looking out for each other matters.
  • Safety & independence - Level 2 riders should be comfortable making sensible decisions about their own riding and recognising when terrain or conditions are beyond their ability. These are not formal coaching programmes. We'll discuss the day's plans and any relevant safety considerations, but you remain responsible for your own equipment, riding and decisions. If you're unsure about a particular section of terrain, it's important to speak up rather than feeling pressured to ride something you're not comfortable with.
  • Flexibility - Mountain conditions can change quickly. Weather, wind, snow conditions, avalanche risk, lift availability, piste closures and other factors may mean that the day's riding doesn't follow the original plan. We'll adapt where necessary to make the most of the conditions and avoid unnecessary risk. Being prepared to change plans, try different terrain or simply ride somewhere else is part of what makes these trips work.

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