What Mountain Bike Ability Level do you you need to do a Level 1 Mountain Bike Instructor Training Course? See a full breakdown below for bike park trail skill levels.
What Mountain Bike Riding Skills Are Required To Get Your Level 1 MTB Instructor Certification?
For the Level 1 course, you should be comfortable on technical green, blue and single black diamond trails. Be aware that these trail ratings are based on technical, B.C. trails that are often more challenging when compared to other riding destinations. For example, a Whistler – grade blue trail, may be more similar to a black trail, somewhere else.
Riders should be comfortable climbing and descending intermediate, rough terrain, with roots and rocks, cornering with speed and performing basic maneuvers such as front and rear wheel lifts, pedaling wheel lifts and small roll-down style drop-offs. For more details, check out the Ability Guide charts below.
Mountain Bike Ability Guide / Bike Park Experience Level
Beginner
I can comfortably ride on pavement or wide gravel trails, balance and can use disc brakes.
Little to no experience riding mountain bike trails.
Little or no experience in a Downhill Mountain Bike Park.
Novice
I can comfortably ride on green and easy blue single track and freeride trails in the Bike Park or cross country.
I am confident to ride and carry momentum through bumpy, rooty sections of trail without putting afoot down and have good brake control.
I have a little experience riding Bike Parks.
Intermediate
I am comfortable on all blue technical trails and can ride all green and easy blue freeride trails in the park. My wheels rarely leave the ground.
I can maintain my momentum and ride through rocky, rooty sections and am starting to look at increasing speed.
I can comfortably ride raised ladder bridges and small rock faces.
I have some experience riding in a Bike Park.
Strong Intermediate
I am a strong rider on all blues and easy blacks and I can ride all or most of the features.
I ride at a moderate but safe speed and carry my momentum.
I can do small jumps(7ft +/- table tops) and drops safely.
I am excited to ride steep roll downs, raised ladder bridges and technical trails.
Advanced
I am comfortable at fast speeds on all black trails both cross country and in the Bike Park.
I can pick a line through difficult technical sections, ride steep rock faces and raised skinnys.
I have good technique and can carry and judge my speed to do medium jumps (12ft +/-table tops) and drops.
Expert
I am confident at high speeds on all trails, I can ride all the features on black and some double black trails both cross country and in the Bike Park.
I can clear large drops and jumps(20ft +/- tabletops) with correct technique.
Freeride Trails / Bike Park Experience Level
Intermediate
Pro Line
Expert Only
Advanced
Smooth, wide surfaces with gentle corners and rolling terrain.
Designed for new Bike Park riders.
Smooth surfaces on steeper terrain, including larger corners, rollers and small jumps.
Raised features like bridges and wallrides require jumping skills and speed.
Suited for riders who have mastered all beginner Freeride trails.
Mix of smooth and rough riding surfaces on steep and fast grades.
Larger man-made features, including jumps, raised bridges and steep wallrides.
Advanced jumping skills required.
Suited for riders who have mastered all intermediate Freeride trails.
Trails with steep terrain, very fast speeds which require expert jumping skills.
Mandatory jump features that require knowledge of gaps and landings.
Suited for the most advanced riders only.
Largest gaps and mandatory jump features.
Expert jumping skills required.
Suited for professional riders only.
Beginner
Technical Trails / Bike Park Experience Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Pro Line
Expert Only
Advanced
Rougher singletrack trails with small rocks and tree roots.
Designed for new Bike Park riders comfortable with beginner Freeride trails.
Rougher terrain with tighter corners and steeper slopes.
Larger natural obstacles, including roots and rocks.
Suited for riders who have mastered all beginner Technical trails.
Steep grades with large technical features, including rocks, roots and drops.
Technical handling through tight trees and rough sections.
Suited for riders who have mastered all intermediate Technical trails.
Steepest grades with the most technical features.
Warming up on intermediate and advanced trails encouraged.
