How do the levels of difficulty of slopes work?

Question

I know there's like blue, and black, and red, but can someone please tell me like what order they go in? Which is hardest, easiest, and so on?

Answer 1

Sal's answer is right on the money! I've actually seen a skiied a triple black on the east coast. It was called "Extreme" - my elbows scraped against the slope a couple of times when I was going down, and it wasn't groomed (which probably contributed to the triple black rating) it was just awful skiing, I'll never do it again.

Answer 2

Nursery Slope (aka. Bunny slope) - This should be fairly obvious in its location and will probably be covered in Ski School kids and instructors. If you're not having lessons it's best to stay away.

Green (Green circle, Double green circle) - The easiest slopes will usually be marked with a green sign, thus indicating the run will not be too challenging and will be good for beginners.

Blue (Blue Square) - Intermediate runs. If you feel comfortable on a green, step up to a blue run. These can feel anywhere between beautifully easy and very challenging for a beginner/intermediate skier. The first run I ever went down was a blue and it was very scary.

Red (Red circle - Europe, Black Diamond - USA) - Intermediate/Difficult. These seem to be a happy medium between blue and black. Good if you are wondering about branching out into the blacks, but just want a little test first.

Black (Black circle, Double black diamond) - Difficult. This is where the runs start getting scary. You don't want to take off your skis on one of these runs because you never know if you'll be able to stand safely on the slope without them. Usually very steep.

Diamond (Europe only) - In Europe, a diamond classification is usually matched with a colour (red or black). These runs are only semi piste-bashed, meaning you get less groomed runs, usually with a bit more movement in the snow's top surface.

Triple Black Diamond (America Only) - Do you want to die? Then these are the runs for you. Almost vertical drops, probably icy and faster than a rabbit in the sack - Only for experts.

Answer 3

Sal's answer is perfect.

But i've never seen a triple black  Unless you would count back country gates as "triple black"   ive been down icy steeps, cliffs, narrow chutes, rock faces, all that junk, but its still only double black terrain.

Answer 4

The resorts have the authorization to assign ratings to their own trails, indicating a given trail according to its relative difficulty when compared with other trails at that resort. There is no governing body that can to make this task. As a consequence, identically pitched trails at different resorts can have different ratings.

AKA. the rating depend on the mountain itself. there may be a black diamond on one mountain that would be a green on another. The mountains rate their trails to their hardest and easiest trail.

Now for the USA mountains ratings

Green Circle - The easiest trails to ski which are generally wide, groomed, and with a gentle slope. Green Circle trails are popular with beginners.

Blue Square - Considered “intermediate” trails that are steeper than beginner trails yet easy enough for intermediate skiers to ski on, Blue Square trails aren't extremely steep. They are popular trails at most resorts because they provide skiing that’s fun but not scary. Generally groomed, some Blue Square trails have easy moguls or extremely easy glades.

Black Diamond - Difficult trails that are for advanced skiers.

Black Diamond trails can be steep, narrow, or ungroomed. Other challenges, such as icy conditions, may cause a trail to be marked as a Black Diamond. Most glades and mogul trails are Black Diamonds.

Double Black Diamond - Extremely difficult trails that are reserved only for expert skiers. Because of hazards such as an extremely steep slope, difficult moguls, glades, or drop offs, Double Black Diamonds should be approached with caution and only be skied on if one is sure they are advanced and experienced enough to handle the challenge.

Terrain Park - While not used at all ski resorts, a terrain park may be marked with an orange oval shape. However, most ski resorts add an official rating, so you'll know how challenging the terrain park is.

Those are the normal USA rating for mountains

Hope this will help you understand, Skiing Cr4zy ^_^

Answer 5

There are greens (very  easy), blues (moderately easy), black diamonds (difficult), and double black diamonds (very difficult). I have never heard of reds before.

Answer 6

Green: Easiest

Blue: Moderate Difficulty

Blue Black:  DIfficult

Black Diamond: Very Difficult

Double Black Diamond:  Expert Only

All of these are relative to the resort...which means that a Black Diamond at one resort might be a blue black at another.

Answer 7

blue circle easiest, black diamond hard, squares are intermediate