How steep is a blue run ???

Hi everyone,

First post and probably a stupid question.

We have just started skiing at Castleford Snozone and whilst I have reached the dizzy heights of level 4 my missus got a bit nervous on the steeper part of the main slope and therefore didn't pass her level 4.

I was just wondering if you experienced skiers could tell me how the upper/steeper part of the slope at Snozone compares to say a blue run in a resort.

I'm sure she will get it and start to enjoy the main slope soon.

Having said that, I thought that the run out from the Poma lift was a bit steep and short - having a wall at the end

Cheers for now.

Tom.

I had a couple of lessons at Castleford in March 2010 (having never skied before)

It was a bit nerve wracking going up to the top for the first time. Nice wide turns are the best thing so that you can control your speed across the slope. Go at 10am when it's a bit quieter.

Not wanting to scare your other half, but I reckon that Castleford is borderline green/blue run, even from the top. It doesn't really compare to a resort where people might be passing by you at 40mph, the slopes are starting to mogul up and you suddenly find yourself on a steeper section!

As many will tell you on here, slope classifications very considerably from resort to resort. For example, from personal experience blues and greens are ridiculously under classified in Val d'Isere (with short sections feeling like a red or even a black). However there are plenty of other resorts which are very steady and suitable for beginners. Choose your 1st holiday very carefully! We learnt to ski in Hemsedal in Norway which is excellent for beginners.

Hey Barney,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm sure she will be fine once she gets a bit more control and confidence.

Already got a big holiday planned for this year so will probably be winter 2013/14 before we get to a resort - plenty of time for her to get loads of practice in - me too!!!!

She is happy on the lower section - problem is, as you know, you need level 4 to go on the main slope without an instructor.

Once she gets her level 4 she can take her time getting the confidence on the upper slope.

She's going for it again in a weeks time - fingers crossed.

Was thinking of maybe Seefeld for our first trip.

Quite fancy Austria.

Tom.

Hi DrTom -
I'm interested in what you mean by Level 4?

Is this a grading system created by the Sno Zone?

BedrockBarney gives some good advice. Also remember to get some lessons in the resort. Lessons at the indoor slopes are complement but don't substitute for lessons in a resort in my opinion. Also, when you consider that a full day group lesson in a resort may give you as much time as several lessons in an indoor slope, it is actually good value. There are many other things they can help you with that are not usually possible at an indoor slope. How to deal with high different chair lifts, traffic, white outs & the weather and negotiating icy sections being just a few.

Hi Steverandomno,

Yeh - level 4 is a Snozone thing.

You have to be able to control your speed and direction and be able to use the Poma lift confidently to be aloud on the main slope without an instructor.

Not sure what happens if you just turn up and say you can do these things but there are supposed to be slope police keeping an eye out for those who try to blag it.

Although I have heard that these are often young lads who don't say too much in case of there being trouble.

We fully intend getting some lessons in the resort - just want to get a head start on things and Snozone has to be better than plastic, right !!! as you as aware, getting around on 2 x 5ft planks is not a natural thing.

We are also going to try to get to Weardale this winter, if there is any snow, as it is only an hour away.

I'm lead to believe it is a bit rough and ready up there buy hey, they have lifts and it will get us out of the house.

Cheers.

Tom.

blue is for total beginners and this is where the ski school in resorts take people for the 1st day or so. nothing to worry about, thats for sure

DrTom - Definitely better than plastic and I imagine a lot safer too. Indoor slopes are good to get the basics so long as you have a good instructor.

When you go for your first lesson in the resort, be sure to explain that you have mastered the basics (can make a few wedge turns or whatever - on a beginner slope) and that this was in an indoor slope. Stress that you have never used a chairlift before. If it is a group lesson, you ideally want to avoid being put in the never ever group, but you don't want the instructor to assume that you are happy with using a chairlift. I have heard of too many beginners who have had relatively minor incidents with chairlifts that have needlessly and seriously dented their confidence, which can really effect your first few days on the slopes.

BTW - Weardale - Just looked it up - I had never heard of it before. You learn something everyday. It does look a bit rough and ready but also a lot of fun.

All the best.

tarbs wrote:blue is for total beginners and this is where the ski school in resorts take people for the 1st day or so. nothing to worry about, thats for sure

tarbs, I doubt you will find many instructors that will take beginners on a blue run on their first day. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd day if the group is progressing well and building confidence.

Green runs are the easiest.

In general these are the global ratings in order of easiest to most difficult:

Green
Blue
Red (Only in Europe)
Black (aka black diamond in North America)
Double Black Diamond (only North America)