Ski Freshtracks: ski holidays, ski resorts, snow reports, ski news, info & advice from the Ski Club of Great Britain, the UK's largest snowsports club

Beginner on piste: Either a beginner or mastering snowplough turns, you are keen to learn and gain confidence. You have up to three weeks' experience or, if you are a complete beginner, you must learn the basics on a dry slope instruction course before the holiday, in order to make the most of your first ski trip.

Early intermediate on piste: You are confident to do controlled turns on blue runs and to cope on most red runs. Skiing parallel most of the time, you can turn on bumps, but only by making long turns with a traverse. Steep blacks are still too intimidating at this stage. With approximately four week's experience you are beginning to ski faster, and are now more accurate in your chosen speed and line, however you do not feel completely in control all of the time. Alternatively you may have many years experience and choose to stick to the blue runs.

Intermediate on piste: You are confident in making parallel turns on most slopes but you are more comfortable on red runs than black. You understand how to carve and feel confident in controlling your speed and direction. On a run with challenging bumps you cross from side to side rather than taking the fall line. You feel technically competent and fit enough to ski at a reasonable pace all day on red runs. You should have experienced skiing in a variety of weather and snow conditions, having skied for approximately eight weeks.

Advanced intermediate on piste: A strong parallel skier, you ski comfortably and in control down red bumps, taking the fall line. You can carve on red runs and ski confidently down most black runs. You can comfortably use a variety of turn shapes and speeds to cope with difficult situations. Having a good fitness level and with varied skiing experience, you enjoy skiing quickly and could ski to this standard all day.

Advanced on piste: Confident to ski the whole groomed mountain including steep blacks, using short and long carved turns. On all pistes you are always completely in control of your speed, direction and turn shape. You enjoy skiing bumps, except in particularly icy or difficult conditions. You try to take the fall line whenever possible and are fit enough to ski fast all day.

Expert on piste: This is our highest standard of skiing. You are a fluent, confident skier on all pistes, whatever the conditions. You take the fall line at all times, whether in bumps or on steep terrain. Steep, icy slopes or very challenging snow conditions do not affect your ability to accurately ski the mountain. You are extremely fit and are used to skiing hard and fast all day.

Novice off piste: You have never tried powder skiing, or had a few limited attempts. You may feel stuck at that 'pretty good on most pistes' stage, or may be a bit tired of cruising pistes, and are looking for something new in your skiing. You should be minimum red/silver standard on piste and be keen to try off piste.

Aspirer off piste: After one or two weeks' experience off piste, you can link turns in the ungroomed snow, but it's very difficult to string together more than five or six without taking a tumble. You find it easier to change direction by making large radius turns rather than linking short turns. Being fit and with the right attitude and the aptitude to push yourself further, you are silver standard on piste and 'aspire' to the silver standard off piste.

Intermediate off piste: You have experience in off piste conditions and can ski at least 10 to 15 continuous turns in deep powder snow, but tend to fall over or stop because you gain too much speed. You are confident to safely negotiate all types of snow off piste including breakable crust and wind slab without holding up the group. On steep off-piste, you are still lacking confidence in controlling speed and direction. Your style is still somewhat lacking, and you need some more practice and perhaps tuition but you are keen to challenge yourself further.

Advanced off piste: You feel very competent when skiing off-piste, and are ready to tackle steeper slopes and ski faster. Alternatively, you may have many years' experience off piste, be an extremely competent skier, good in powder, but less good in difficult snow and therefore not ready to progress to our Expert category. Technically good, you ski fast, you are fit and love to ski off-piste whenever possible.

Expert off piste: An expert skier in all off piste conditions, including breakable crust as well as deep, light powder. You are extremely fit and ski fast and fluently off-piste on steep slopes and are able to ski couloirs. You don't mind the odd climb to get to a perfect slope. You are extremely keen, love and respect the mountains and recognise that by including yourself in this category you are volunteering for our most challenging skiing adventures.