Just getting into the backcountry, or aspiring to. May have been on a handful of backcountry day trips. Is dependent on partners to develop plans for the day. Is aware of the daily avalanche advisory.
Has been getting into the backcountry a handful of times every year for three seasons. May have taken a level 1 class. Can contribute to a trip planning discussion. Can make observations that confirm the avalanche advisory. Knows there are nine avalanche problems. May make a go/no-go decision based on the danger rating. Can perform a simple beacon search. Can identify terrain aspect (N,S, E, W) in mapping apps and in the field.
Has gone on five or more trips every year for four or five years, or over 20 trips in a shorter time. Has taken a level 1 class. Can develop a trip plan based on today's advisory in familiar terrain. Can make observations in the field relevant to the day's avalanche problem. May choose where to travel based on the danger rating at different elevations.
Has been going out regularly for at least five years. Might have taken a level 2 class. Can lead the trip planning process and discussion. Can make a plan for travel in new terrain. May choose where to travel based on the location of the avalanche problem. Can make observations and recognize when things are different than expected.
Has been going into the backcountry frequently for 8 years or more. Has continued education with level 2 class and attending SAWs. May choose where to travel based on the location and type of avalanche problem expected. Can detect subtle and unexpected snow, weather and partner conditions while on the move.
Patroller, guide or avalanche educator. It's worth noting a first year patroller may have less experience than an advanced skier/rider as described above.
Can make turns on gentle groomed slopes. May be able to link turns on a groomed run. May be able to make individual turns when there is 6" of fresh snow on a groomed slope. Does not ride "off piste" in a resort. At the upper end of Beginner, may be able to link turns from top to bottom of a run.
Can link turns comfortably on groomed runs, and make individual turns off piste on slopes around 30º. At the upper end of Intermediate, can link turns on ungroomed terrain in a variety of snow conditions, ranging from frozen crusts to deep powder, and can ski/ride on 35º slopes in favorable conditions.
Can link turns comfortably in ungroomed terrain, between 30º and 40º, in a variety of snow conditions, ranging from frozen crusts to deep powder. At the upper end of Advanced, can link turns comfortably on 40º slopes in favorable conditions.
Can ski/ride comfortably on any terrain, groomed or off piste, on slopes over 40º, with no mandatory air or narrow chutes requiring significant straight-lining. At the upper end of Expert, can ski/ride confidently on steep slopes with mandatory air, and/or narrow chutes.
Fitness is a goal. May have no regular workout program. A six mile hike seems reasonable. A 10 mile hike is a goal. A 1500' vertical day may be at the limit.
May workout 2-3 times/week with a combination of cardio, strength and flexibility training. Can hike 10 miles comfortably without additional training. A 2500' vertical ski day is at the upper end of comfort. 4000' is at the limit.
Goes out for longer cardio activity (cycling, running, hiking) 3-4 times/week. Can go for a 15 mile mt bike ride today and run a 10k tomorrow. A 3,000'-4,000' ski day is comfortable. A 6000' day is do-able, but may be taxing.
Occasionally work gets in the way of daily workouts. The only metrics that matter are KOM/QOM. It's not a question of if a 7000' ski day is possible, but what the time will be to do it.