SKI & SNOWBOARD PATCH LEVELS
Please review the following sections to learn more about the patch levels and the related skills that students develop as they progress through the program.
SKI PATCH LESSONS
SKIING PATCH LESSONS
The following describes the skills taught at each level and what hill areas can be accessed at both Pine Knob and Mt Holly. All maneuvers must be done in a good stance without leaning back.
For a more detailed description and video of each level see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3z-Aivxi_I
WHAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT FOR SKI LESSONS
Some students are very nervous, but instructors are taught to go at the right pace for the student. A larger problem is the expectation from the parents and students that skiers can quickly start using the chairlifts and skiing larger hills. Skiers naturally lean back, and then turn their shoulders and lean inside the turns. If they progress too fast, these moves become bigger problems that are harder to change later. It also makes it hard for the students to control their speed and ski in a safe manner.
The new Green Patch will keep many students on gentle slopes longer, which helps them to progress faster later. Parents need to be patient, students and their friends usually want to progress too quickly, especially the first few times out.
Every student is different, so there is a wide range in terms of how long it takes students to move through the patch program. Most students will require several attempts at each level.
Conditions also play a role. If the snow is fresh and light one time, it will be much easier than if the snow is icy or thick and heavy the next time. If a new skier misses a week or two, they will often need a lot of review to catch up, especially at the lower levels.
Children who play hockey, inline skate, ice skate, or water ski may progress faster with skiing than children who do not participate in sliding or motion sports of this type. Older children usually progress quicker than younger children will.
White and Black patch skiers are very strong skiers. A minimum of four or more years of skiing experience is usually needed to acquire the skills.
Children who have inappropriate equipment, too long, obsolete, boots that are too stiff or too large etc. may not progress as quickly or they may even regress.
Parents and students need to be reminded that just because they ski “black diamonds” up north or out west, it does not mean that they are performing the skill to receive a red, white, or black patch.
By enrolling your student in the patch program, you are agreeing to the rules of the program. Parents can not take their child on a lift that they have not earned a patch for – even just to practice! Your child will be instructed to walk back from the lift!
- In each lesson we review the “Responsibility Code” and other safety topics, review the previous lesson, teach the maneuver, and grade students.
The following describes the skills taught at each level and what hill areas can be accessed at both Pine Knob and Mt Holly. All maneuvers must be done in a good stance without leaning back.
- GREEN
- MT. HOLLY: Rope Tow / PINE KNOB: Rope Tow
- Stop
- Link Turns
- YELLOW
- MT. HOLLY: Lift 1 / PINE KNOB: Chair 1
- Link small and large turns
- Turn to a stop
- BROWN
- MT. HOLLY: Lift 4 / PINE KNOB: Chair 2
- Skis parallel in second half of turn
- Turn to a stop
- BLUE
- MT. HOLLY: LIFT 5 / PINE KNOB: Chair 5 OR 6
- Skis parallel in first half of turn
- Turn to a stop
- RED
- MT. HOLLY: Lift 6 / PINE KNOB: “Phase One” trail
- Skis parallel
- Pole touch
- Next step: Orange or White Patch -student choice
- ORANGE (Optional)
- Use Terrain Park features
- Flat ground trick and box or rail trick
- Small jump
- WHITE
- MT. HOLLY: All Lifts / PINE KNOB: “Phase One” trail
- Larger and faster turns
- More and less completed turns
- BLACK
- MT. HOLLY: All Lifts / PINE KNOB: “The Wall” trail
- Small turns
- Ski moguls
For a more detailed description and video of each level see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3z-Aivxi_I
WHAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT FOR SKI LESSONS
Some students are very nervous, but instructors are taught to go at the right pace for the student. A larger problem is the expectation from the parents and students that skiers can quickly start using the chairlifts and skiing larger hills. Skiers naturally lean back, and then turn their shoulders and lean inside the turns. If they progress too fast, these moves become bigger problems that are harder to change later. It also makes it hard for the students to control their speed and ski in a safe manner.
The new Green Patch will keep many students on gentle slopes longer, which helps them to progress faster later. Parents need to be patient, students and their friends usually want to progress too quickly, especially the first few times out.
Every student is different, so there is a wide range in terms of how long it takes students to move through the patch program. Most students will require several attempts at each level.
Conditions also play a role. If the snow is fresh and light one time, it will be much easier than if the snow is icy or thick and heavy the next time. If a new skier misses a week or two, they will often need a lot of review to catch up, especially at the lower levels.
Children who play hockey, inline skate, ice skate, or water ski may progress faster with skiing than children who do not participate in sliding or motion sports of this type. Older children usually progress quicker than younger children will.
White and Black patch skiers are very strong skiers. A minimum of four or more years of skiing experience is usually needed to acquire the skills.
Children who have inappropriate equipment, too long, obsolete, boots that are too stiff or too large etc. may not progress as quickly or they may even regress.
Parents and students need to be reminded that just because they ski “black diamonds” up north or out west, it does not mean that they are performing the skill to receive a red, white, or black patch.
By enrolling your student in the patch program, you are agreeing to the rules of the program. Parents can not take their child on a lift that they have not earned a patch for – even just to practice! Your child will be instructed to walk back from the lift!
SNOWBOARD PATCH LESSONS
SNOWBOARDING PATCH LESSONS
WHAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT FOR SNOWBOARD LESSONS
Here are some very general guidelines that should help your students and their parents in understanding how a child might progress through the Student Snowboard Patch Program. Learning to snowboard at the beginner level requires quite a bit more strength and endurance, as well as having a higher frustration level than learning how to ski. Generally, it is easier for young kids to learn to ski.
We recommend that beginner snowboarders be at least 10 years old for the snowboard patch program. Very often beginner snowboarders will need to repeat lessons several times before they are successful. The snowboard learning curve is different than for skiers. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to become proficient at; and skiing is easier to learn but may take years to become an expert.
Using a ten year old child, as an example, a first year snowboarder who snowboards six times will typically earn a yellow patch (an advanced beginner/lower intermediate skill level).
A second year snowboarder will typically earn a brown patch (intermediate level); and a third year snowboarder will typically earn a black patch (expert level).
Children who do gymnastics, skateboarding, inline skating, mountain biking, and sports that require balance and jumps may progress faster with snowboarding than children who do not participate in sliding or motion sports of this type. Older children usually progress more quickly than younger children.
Time out on the slopes and plenty of practice are needed to acquire the skills and earn the student patches.
By enrolling your student in the patch program, you are agreeing to the rules of the program. Parents can not take their child on a lift that they have not earned a patch for – even just to practice! Your child will be instructed to walk back from the lift!
- In each lesson we review the “Responsibility Code” and other safety topics, review the previous lesson, teach the maneuver, and grade students.
- GREEN
- MT. HOLLY: Rope Tow / PINE KNOB: Rope Tow
- Toe side turn
- Heel side turn
- YELLOW
- MT. HOLLY: Lift 1 / PINE KNOB: Chair 1
- Toe and heel turns, link with traverse
- Turn far enough to stop
- BROWN
- MT. HOLLY: Lift 4 / PINE KNOB: Chair 4 and 5
- Link turns without traverse
- Turn far enough to control speed
- Next step: Orange or Black Patch -student choice
- ORANGE
- Use Terrain Park features
- Flat ground trick and box or rail trick
- Small Jump
- BLACK
- MT. HOLLY: All Lifts / PINE KNOB: “Phase One” trail
- Link carved turns
- Short and medium radius
WHAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS SHOULD EXPECT FOR SNOWBOARD LESSONS
Here are some very general guidelines that should help your students and their parents in understanding how a child might progress through the Student Snowboard Patch Program. Learning to snowboard at the beginner level requires quite a bit more strength and endurance, as well as having a higher frustration level than learning how to ski. Generally, it is easier for young kids to learn to ski.
We recommend that beginner snowboarders be at least 10 years old for the snowboard patch program. Very often beginner snowboarders will need to repeat lessons several times before they are successful. The snowboard learning curve is different than for skiers. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to become proficient at; and skiing is easier to learn but may take years to become an expert.
Using a ten year old child, as an example, a first year snowboarder who snowboards six times will typically earn a yellow patch (an advanced beginner/lower intermediate skill level).
A second year snowboarder will typically earn a brown patch (intermediate level); and a third year snowboarder will typically earn a black patch (expert level).
Children who do gymnastics, skateboarding, inline skating, mountain biking, and sports that require balance and jumps may progress faster with snowboarding than children who do not participate in sliding or motion sports of this type. Older children usually progress more quickly than younger children.
Time out on the slopes and plenty of practice are needed to acquire the skills and earn the student patches.
By enrolling your student in the patch program, you are agreeing to the rules of the program. Parents can not take their child on a lift that they have not earned a patch for – even just to practice! Your child will be instructed to walk back from the lift!
