From Blue square to Black diamond, what kind of techniques/skill level are required?

Question

I'm okay with blue square but never tried black diamond. Before I go for the Black, what do I need to be aware of? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Skill level needed to ski a black varies. Most black runs are shorter than a blue because they are generally steeper thus you get to the bottom of the hill in a straighter line("fall" line lol). Some are marked black because of the size of the bumps, depth of the powder or amount of trees and other obstacles that you are required to ski around. In most cases if you are comfortable skiing blues a black will just be more interesting or challenging. The really hard and potentially dangerous stuff is almost always marked double-black and should be avoided at all cost unless you are confident in your ability to handle any terrain, condition and obstacle

Answer 2

I just turned black from blue and you need to be able to make clear concise turns, not be afraid of moguls, be able to control your turns and speed, keep your ski's parallel most but not all of the time, be aware of who's around you, know what you are ready and not ready for, be prepared for some sleek, steep slopes, know basic ski rules and guildlines,and be able to do the pizza stop, how to get up, basic safety rules,and how to fall safely

Answer 3

Your ability to control your speed is vital. Everything happens faster and you must be ready to complete each and every turn before you start the next one.  Balance on the big toe edge of your ski and keep your weight over the whole foot.  You must be able to absorb each bump, and to flex your legs and extend them into the next turn.  

   Each run is designated blue or black relative to each areas difficulty. A blue run in one area may be a black run at another. Your area may be considered easy or difficult, you must decide this.

  Take a series of lessons from a qualified professional instructor. This will give you a true evaluation of your skill level. When you can trust yourself to judge your skill you know you will be ready to ski the runs.

   Never be afraid or ashamed to walk back out of a run that is beyond your ability.

Answer 4

First thing's first....are you psychologically ready to do it?

It sound to me as though you are because you ar asking the right questions....let's move on.

How is your edging? Can you stop abruptly? If you are still using a snowplow to stop, then maybe you need to work on you stopping. If you can stop well, then head to the bigger slopes.

Some people pick up the technique rather quickly, some people (as one person posted) take 11 years. Personally, I think that's too long, but hey, you gotta go at the pace you feel most comfortable with. I skied a black diamond my first day. I skied it poorly, in retrospect, but I was 11 and possesed less brains when I was a kid. Anyway...on to technique.

Get those edges into the snow. It's vital on the steeper stuff.

I say it's better to get out on the steep stuff and if you need to traverse the slope a bit to get down....great! At least you are on the steeper hill.

Once you get more comfortable getting down the steep stuff by traversing the fall line, move up to the next step and make your turns closer to the fall line. I'm having to do this myself now that I ski mostly on telemark skis. Last year my tele-turns were not as well linked as they are this year. However, I'll go someplace with steeper stuff and I'm back to traversing the slope. It can be humbling, but don't worry about anyone's opinion other than your own. It's not about THEM.

Pilots will say any landing you can walk away from is a good landing...same is true here. You make it down and you're better off than NOT having done it at all...no matter how poorly you skied it. If you aren't satisfied...do it again.

See my answer to your other question for more on "What to look out for."

We can discuss jump turns at a different time...you're not there yet. One day you will be!

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Be aware that you'll ski faster & all the time & you must be prepared to carve turns instantly if you have to control your speed or slow down. When you first go down the turn, take wider turns until you get use to the steepness & then start making quicker turns.

Answer 6

Make sure you've got your turns down and can control your speed well.  Black runs also often are longer than blue runs and you might find you get tired faster on them so you would want to tackle it while you've still got plenty of energy left.  Even if it's not a longer run I find the concentration and exertion to do a more technical run will tire me out faster than doing easier runs.

Answer 7

Control your speed. If you have control of your speed you can slow yourself to negotiate anything on the slope. What's the difference between a diamond and a square? Steepness, moguls, maybe some glades? They're no big deal, just maneuver them a little slower until you feel confident in your turn technique and your ability to look several turns ahead and plan your path.

If you are doing blue blocks confidently and comfortably, then you are ready for some diamonds. And the things aren't that much different, just take it easy a few runs and you'll get a feel for what you're doing right and / or wrong. You can then make adjustments to your technique and speed.

Don't let a color and shape intimidate you.

Answer 8

The blue square and the black dimond arent really differnt( if you are skiing at apple mountain) the black dimond is just longs and has jumps and rails but you dont have to go on thoes.