trail map gradings

It's an ambiguous subject, I know. However, could someone tell me if it is as simple as:-

green = blue
blue = red
diamond = black
double diamond = :shock: :shock: :shock:

In my little dream world I'm having a look at a few resorts in the US for my 40th birthday present [possibly the only way I'll get a ski trip next year in the current climate, so I may as well go for it :D]. I know we shouldn't get hung up on colour, however, dependant upon how I get on in Tignes, I'd like to know how much area would be viable for me to ski in the resorts I'm looking at.

thanks
Caron :thumbup:

I think that's right (or that's how I've read it anyway) - I love your grading for double black :lol:!!

Good luck with the search :D

Yup that is right,

Green=always pisted and well taken care of, generally quite flat

Blue=nearly always pisted but occasionally on powder days they will leave certain ones unpisted so you can enjoy the powder. Moguls allowed to form on certain slopes

Black=rarely pisted, often containing moguls

Double Black=never pisted, I don't think you should be worrying about what they are like :)

It is that simple. I have seen double blues, which I guess puts them a shade under a black diamond. Every resort is slightly different, but on the whole it seems verly consistent. The double black is a real warning that this is no ordinary run. The only time you'll see some deviation from that consistency is at small resorts, that really don't have a run that warrants a black diamond, but they give their steepest run that title anyway :lol:


Trencher

Yes, broadly this is right.

My take:

Green = Beginner - Always groomed and almost always 'wide' for the entire run.

Blue = Varies hugely - Almost always groomed except on powder days when there is already a good base. Like green runs, almost always 'wide' for the entire run. Sometimes moguled.

Black Diamond = Varies hugely - more interesting terrain. Unlikely to be 'wide'. Almost always some unavoidable obsticle strewn areas such as lift towers, trees, rock fields large moguls. Often ungroomed. No mandatory air. Features such as cliffs and bolders are usualy marked.

Double Black Diamond = Anything goes. Obsticles may be unmarked. Mandatory air may be required. Never groomed. May have special access requirements, such as avi gear etc...

The green rating is fairly uniform from resort to resort. However, there is very wide variation in the steepness, and dificulty in general, of blue and black runs from resort to resort. It is mostly driven by marketing departments wanting to appeal to all types of skiier. Most resorts will have roughly 60-80% blue/green and 20-40% black regardless.

You will find that skiing in North America is generaly more 'open' - with more bowls and open areas of tree skiing than in Europe. Whilst 'trails' are often clearly marked, there is no such thing as off piste. only out-of bounds and off-limits.

Where are you thinking of going?

very helpful, thank you.

steverandomno wrote:Where are you thinking of going?

No matter how many times I go round the houses I keep coming back to Snowmass. I'm thinking of Squaw Valley too (interesting trail map!) and a place in New England but I think I might leave the latter until a family wedding or christening comes up in Boston to make it cost effective :D

Still looking though and haven't touched on Canada yet :shock:...

Snowmass is great, especially for beginner/intermediate. Aspen is a really cool town also. Not what I expected at all.

Squaw is also a great resort. There is loads for the adventurous intermediate and advanced skier. The beginner/intermediate area, whilst not as extensive as snowmass, is located mostly towards the top of the mountain (nr the massive olympic sign), which makes a nice change. If you want to push the boat out, check out the "Resort at Squaw Creek" resort hotel. It's worth every penny and you wont forget the experience. The nearby town (Tahoe City, not really a city) is nice too.

If you go to squaw you should check out Northstar, a few mins drive away. It has some really good intermediate terrain and offers free 1-2 hour intermediate lessons dealing with moguls etc... (at least when I was there!). I rekon it is one of the US' most underrated resorts.

The drive from Squaw round the lake to South Lake Tahoe (where Heavenly is based) is nice but I don't get the whole Casino thing, sorry!

Going for Squaw also allows you to do a weekend in San-Francisco.

Hope this gives you a bit more to go on.

darn decent of you, thanks :thumbup:

we are:-

- me, 2 and a half weeks of skiing and "wary" post-op, hoping to be a "normal" intermediate after a week at easter.
- mr a is a confident intermediate.
- my boys, who will be 9 and 13 are confident nutters :shock:.
- we don't like ostentatious.
- nightlife not very important with the boys in tow, a couple of nice bars and restaurants would be lovely.
- small, medium or large.
- not too inconvinient.
- friendly and a good ambience.

Does all of this point in favour of Snowmass or Squaw Valley? Or, is there somewhere else I should be considering? Whistler maybe? I love the idea of Banff / Lake Louise / Sunshine but we're thinking of going new year or just after and it'll be too cold. Actually, is the cold a factor to consider with Snowmass and/or Squaw Valley?

edited to update: squaw valley is off the table!