Latest posts for the topic "How steep is a blue run ???"

How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 08:55:07 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 09:42:43 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 10:00:12 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 11:12:34 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 11:27:04 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 16:30:10 GMT

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

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 17:18:32 GMT

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.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 17:25:32 GMT

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)

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Sat, 2 Jun 2012 08:46:43 GMT

This might help Doc ....

http://winter-olympics-alpine-skiing-tickets.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/ski-trail-difficulty-ratings-in-north_08.html

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Sat, 2 Jun 2012 09:04:24 GMT

I have been on some very difficult blue runs. Only a month ago, I skied down the blue Santons run into Val d'Isere and the lower part of it was a steep half-pipe which very icy down the centre.

On the other hand some blue runs are very easy and more like green runs. If you have lessons in the morning then the safest thing to do is to stick to the slopes your instructor took you on, when you ski on your own in the afternoon. And if you particularly want to ski on a different slope then you could always ask your instructor about it.

It's also very surprising how much slopes can change during the day. They might be fine in the morning and then get all mogulled up and bumpy by the end of the day.

Anyway, at least you both have plenty of time to improve before your first ski holiday :D

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Sat, 2 Jun 2012 12:12:54 GMT

DrTom,

A slope grading is not solely based on how steep it is. It states its over all difficulty so will include other factors such as piste width.

What seems steep indoors will soon appear gentle when you hit a nice wide blue in resort.

As for this years big holiday.....cancel it and go skiing instead.

How steep is a blue run ???

Mon, 4 Jun 2012 12:26:14 GMT

DrTom wrote: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.

The gradient of the indoor slopes is nothing. You cant give it a colour as each resort gives them their own grading, often completely out of kilter with other resorts.
However the Cas slope is akin to a green or possibly easy blue in most resorts if you ask me. Its not steep in any part, although to a beginner I guess it can seem like it is.
You'll soon find blues annoy you and you'll want to get onto reds to bring your skiing on, as the steeper gradient makes you work harder on your technique.

Some resorts use blue grading for link runs, or paths, and some people get REALLY scared by these, as they can be narrow with nowhere to turn, and run right along the edge of a cliff with a massive drop one side, linking 2 slopes sometimes. Its the sort of run you just concentrate on keeping upright on and let the skis run.

You'll soon get used to it all. There is nothing to fear at all with skiing, apart from the idiots who are out of control.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Tue, 5 Jun 2012 11:41:32 GMT

I remember being terrified on a blue run in Alpes D'Huez when I first started skiing and thought I would never be able to master it. Most blues now seem easy and I prefer reds, it's just a matter of practice and being taught correctly.

I agree with all that has been said here, the colour of a run does not tell you how steep, narrow or mogully it is. It is just an indication of how difficult it might be. The worst run I have been on was a GREEN! Not steep at all but very long, very narrow and crowded with people.

I'm sure your wife will be fine and will benefit from lessons with a group of similar ability skiers. You can learn a lot from watching other people. I have only being skiing for a few years but am glad I persevered and got over that initial feeling that I was never going to 'get it'.

Most people are nervous at times on different slopes. Anyone who isn't, probably isn't enjoying themselves as much, as the adrenaline rush of achieving a good decent, is half the fun (well it is for me anyway).

Good luck and keep skiing.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Sat, 9 Jun 2012 19:04:12 GMT

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the replies.

Went to SnoZone again today and Helen got her level 4 pass, so she can now practice on the main slope as much as she wants.

She is a lot more confident after today and I'm sure she will soon be blasting down the main slope with no problems.

My daughter got her level 2 also, so it's over to the main slope for her on the next lesson.

All good today !!!!!

Catch you all later.

Tom.

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Sat, 9 Jun 2012 19:18:32 GMT

Congratulations to all the Dr Toms.....

Now start saving for all the kit that you will just have to buy as well as the trips and just wait until only one ski trip just doesn't do it anymore and the start of the obsessive watching of webcams and snow reports and endless discussions amongst your family about where to go and where is best and .....

The list is endless - enjoy.
:mrgreen:

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:59:39 GMT

Hi, I've skied "plastic" and snowdome snow. once you can ski you will find the plastic better for improving your technique. The soft snow and shallow slope make the snowdome much too easy. The plastic stays difficult until you are an intermediate. Either way you will find the steep slopes in a resort terrifying, until your technique lets you ski down them safely, practice getting on your edges as you turn then you will be able to ski down pretty much everything. :shock:

Re:How steep is a blue run ???

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:37:14 GMT

The indoor snow slopes we have bear no real relationship to a real pistes which tend to be steeper, usually wider, vastly longer (which is what we want) and gets bumpier at times.

Providing it's wide enough for you to complete your turns the exact steepness is almost irrelevant up to a point.
Sure looking down will seem a little scary at first but so long as you can link your turns don't get too worried. If you still rely on snow ploughing to control your speed then it's a different matter. (I don't mean plough turns - most of us will have learned to ski starting with plough turns before progressing onto parrallel ones)

A useful tip is to be guided by what you go on during your lessons and to ask your instructor to point out runs for you to practice on (or a friend if they've been there before).

One to watch out for is the run down into the town - many times these will be undergraded to make the resort seem beginner friendly. In reality these are often mountain roads with snow on.
At the end of the day these will be full of spooked novices discovering this "blue" is nothing like the ones up the mountain - particularly if it's warm & the snow gets heavy in the afternoon.