Trail Difficulty Ratings and Signs | International Mountain Bicycling Association Trail Difficulty Ratings and Signs Home › Resources › Maps and Signs Trail Difficulty Ratings and Signs For 99.9 percent of the world, this trail would be considered a double black diamond. On the North Shore toddlers ride this trail on a tricycle. John Gibson photo. The IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System is a basic method used to categorize the relative technical difficulty of recreation trails. The IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System can: Help trail users make informed decisions Encourage visitors to use trails that match their skill level Manage risk and minimize injuries Improve the outdoor experience for a wide variety of visitors Aid in the planning of trails and trail systems This system was adapted from the International Trail Marking System used at ski areas throughout the world. Many trail networks use this type of system, most notably resort-based mountain biking trail networks. The system best applies to mountain bikers, but is also applicable to other visitors such as hikers and equestrians. These criteria should be combined with personal judgment and trail-user input to reach the final rating. Trail Rating Guidelines 1. Rate Technical Challenge Only. The system focuses on rating the technical challenge of trails, not the physical exertion.

It is not practical to rate both types of difficulty with one system. Consider, for example, a smooth, wide trail that is 20 miles long. The technical challenge of this trail is easy, yet the distance would make the physical exertion difficult. The solution is to independently rate technical challenge, and indicate physical exertion by posting trail length, and possibly even elevation change. 2. Collect Trail Measurements. Use the accompanying table and collect trail measurements for each criteria. There is no prescribed method for tallying a "score" for each trail. Evaluate the trail against the table and combine with judgment to reach the final rating. It is unlikely that any particular trail will measure at the same difficulty level for every criteria. For example, a certain trail may rate as a green circle in three criteria, but a blue square in two different criteria. 3. Include Difficulty and Trail Length on Signs and Maps. Trail length is not a criterion of the system. Instead, trail length should be posted on signs in addition to the difficulty symbol. A sign displaying both length and difficulty provides lots of information, yet it is simple to create and easy to understand. Likewise, elevation change is not a criterion.

The amount of climbing on a trail is more an indicator of physical exertion than technical difficulty. Mountainous regions may consider including the amount of climbing on trail signs. 4. Evaluate Difficulty Relative to Local Trails. Trails should be rated relative to other trails in the region. Don't evaluate each trail in isolation. Consider all the trails in a region and how they compare to one another. This will help you rank the relative difficulty of each trail and will help trail users select an appropriate route. Trails will rate differently from region to region. A black diamond trail in one region may rate as a blue square in another region, but the ratings should be consistent locally. 5. Use Good Judgment. Rating a trail is not 100 percent objective. Its best to combine tangible data with subjective judgment to reach the final rating. For example, a trail may have a wide range of tread surfaces - most of the trail is easy, but some sections are more difficult. How would you rate it? Use your personal experience to consider all elements and select a rating that best matches the style of trail. 6. Consider Other Trail Qualities. Don't forget to consider trail qualities beyond the objective criteria. A wide variety of features could contribute to a trail's difficulty.

For example, exposure - the feeling of empty space next to and below the trail tread - provides an added psychological challenge beyond the steepness or roughness of the trail. A 3-inch rock seems like a boulder when a 50-foot drop looms on your side! Other qualities to think about are corridor clearance and turn radius. 7. Use Common Sense and Seek Input. No rating system can be totally objective or valid for every situation. This system is a tool to be combined with common sense. Look at trails with a discerning eye, and seek input from trail users before selecting the rating. Remember, a diverse trail network with a variety of trail styles is a great way to ensure happy visitors. Provide both easy and difficult trails to spread visitors and meet a range of needs. By indicating the length and difficulty of trails with a clear signage system, visitors will be able to locate their preferred type of trail easily. Criteria to Consider Ski Trail Ratings Ski Trail Ratings Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters Thanks, You're in! Health Tip of the Day Recipe of the Day There was an error. Please try again. Please select a newsletter. Please enter a valid email address. Did you mean ? This is the symbol used to mark advanced ski trails.

Michael Doyle Updated October 21, 2015. Knowing the ski trail ratings are essential for mountain safety. Trail ratings vary at different resorts, so, it's important to consider all trails individually and use caution when skiing. North American Trail 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. continue reading below our video What Size Bike Should I Buy? 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. Remember to look for variations that are apparent at some, but not all, ski resorts. Some ski resorts combine trail ratings to come up with a new rating. For example, a "Blue Diamond" would be more difficult than a Blue Square. Reading the Trail Signs - The Wisconsin Skier The Wisconsin Skier Home Skiing Reading the Trail Signs Reading the Trail Signs For All Skiers For Beginnners Ski Resorts establish ski trails and then classify those trails. They place coded signs pointing out the trails and the difficulty level of the trail. Here is your guide to reading ski trail signs! However, determining which trails are suitable for you and your skills is a little more tricky than looking for the appropriate color and shape.

Beginning skiers should look for signs with the green circle: For Beginnners The green circle indicates a beginner trail, suitable for the vast majority of skiers from beginners to experts. If you are new to skiing, warming up, or exploring a new resort consider staying on those trails marked by green circles (or on the trail maps by green lines) at least until you become comfortable with things. One level up and we see: Intermediate The blue square indicates and intermediate trail. However, what is meant by intermediate? I find the blue square designation typically covers a wide range of appropriate skill levels. Some seem more like beginner runs and some seem out of bounds even for good intermediate skiers. Chances are if you can ski parallel you should handle most blues just fine and if you find yourself out of your league you should be able to come up with some way to safely extricate yourself and get back to the lift. Up another notch: For Experts Black diamond runs are for expert skiers. Now, maybe you come from Wisconsin or Ohio and ski black diamond runs all the time near home. Do not think this qualifies you to ski black diamond runs out west or out east.

Think of the signs of grading the runs on a curve, where the most challenging runs at a resort are tagged as double black diamonds (the most difficult) and the easiest as green circles, so the black diamond run you ski in Ohio may actually qualify as a green circle in the Colorado Rockies. Lastly: For the experts among the experts If you do not know the types of trails the above marks do not even think of skiing runs marked by the double black diamond. These are the top of the pack in terms of difficulty What makes a ski trail more difficult? A combination of factors. Namely the steepness of the run and the length of the steeps on the run. Blues and even greens may have some fairly steep sections but if they are short and followed by relatively flat stretches everyone should be able to maintain and regain control (if needed  stay in control). In addition, whether or not the run is groomed or is full of moguls adds to the equation. Ungroomed runs and those with moguls are more difficult add in long steep stretches and you have a more challenging run. Ski Resorts make an effort to mark their trails appropriately, but that does not remove responsibility from you to ski within your limits.

Ski Run Difficulty Ratings | Trails.com Ski Run Difficulty Ratings Tweet The colors and symbols that describe a ski run's difficulty differ somewhat at the 2,000 resorts in North America, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. U.S. and Canadian resorts use a color-shape rating for ski trails, while skiers throughout the rest of the world rely on a color-coded system. It is important to remember that ski resorts subjectively assign their own trail ratings. In other words, a blue run at one resort may be more or less difficult than a trail with the same color on another mountain. Green Circles In North America, trails marked with green circles are the easiest runs on the mountain. These trails are typically wide with a slope gradient of less than 25 percent. Blue Squares Trails with blue squares at North American ski resorts indicate intermediate difficulty. With grades of 25 to 40 percent, these ski runs tend to be the most numerous and most heavily used. Black Diamonds Ski trails marked with a black diamond at U.S. and Canadian resorts are considered to be difficult, typically with steep gradients exceeding 40 percent. Double black diamond trails are for experts.

Only exceptional experts should try triple black diamond runs like Black Hole at Vermont's Smuggler's Notch. Orange Rectangles Orange rectangles with rounded corners typically are used to designate terrain parks that feature jumps, half-pipes and other specialty obstacles. Rest of the World European ski resorts use green to designate beginner trails, blue for easy, red for intermediate and black for experts. Resorts in Japan, where skiing is very popular, also use green for beginner runs, while red is for intermediate slopes and black indicates expert difficulty. Many skiers say that the green beginner slopes in New Zealand are as difficult as many blue square runs in North America. In New Zealand, blue trails are considered intermediate and black runs are the most difficult at ski resorts. Resources Smugglers' Notch Article Written By Kirk Brown Kirk Brown is an award-winning freelance writer with two decades of diverse media experience. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he also was managing editor of an acclaimed scuba diving magazine. Brown has written scripts for more than 50 half-hour TV programs focusing on technology and health topics.

Glossary of Ski Terms by Skis.com Skiing and snowboarding are two of the greatest winter sports on the planet, and like anything else in this world the two sports have certain terms and jargon that can be confusing without a bit of definition. Below you will find a number of terms/phrases used in skiing and snowboarding to refer to products, clothing, and the sports of skiing and snowboarding in general. We have provided a brief definition to help clear up any confusion or questions you may have on these terms/phrases. Click on any letter below to jump to that section or you may scroll down at your leisure. A ABS Sidewall: Industry term for a type of edge construction on skis and snowboards using high quality ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. All-Mountain Ski: A large percentage of Alpine skis fall into this category. All-Mountain skis are designed to perform in all types of snow conditions and at most speeds. Other names for this style of ski include Mid-Fat skis, All-Purpose skis, and the One-ski Quiver. Alpine Skiing: Downhill skiing, as opposed to Nordic Skiing .

Après-Ski: The day’s over – time for drinks and swapping war stories from the slopes. Audio Helmet: A helmet wired with speakers that allows you to listen to music while skiing. Avalanche Beacon: A safety device worn by skiers, snowboarders, and others in case an avalanche traps them. The beacon transmits a signal (typically at the international standard frequency of 457khz) that rescuers can use to locate a buried person. An essential item for anyone venturing into the backcountry . Avalanche Control: The triggering of avalanches through artificial means, including controlled explosions, to make slopes safe for skiers. The most dangerous task faced by Ski Patrol . B Backcountry: Any area outside of resort boundaries or elsewhere that is not patrolled or cleared of avalanche dangers. This is skiing and snowboarding at your own risk, thus the backcountry is a place for knowledgeable experts only. Balaclava: A facemask worn to cover exposed skin. A key extra whenever you are caught riding a lift in fierce, driving wind or snow. Base: Definition of this term is dependent on the context it is being used for.

Base may be used to describe the under side of a ski or snowboard, the main area at the bottom of a ski resort, or the overall depth of snow. Baseplate: The bottom portion of a ski or snowboard binding. Of vital importance as this is the portion of binding in direct contact with ski/snowboard and therefore transfers all movement. Typically made with high-end plastics for both flexibility and strength. Basket: Typically round or star-shaped plastic piece located at the bottom end of a ski pole. Their primary purpose is to keep your poles from pushing too deep into the snow. Berm: A term for a snowbank, often used to provide stability on the outside of a turn. Binding Plate: See Baseplate . Binding: What connects a ski/snowboard boot to the actual ski/snowboard itself. Ski bindings are designed to release from the ski during a fall, while snowboard bindings do not. Black Diamond: Expert trail denoted on trail maps and signs by a black diamond. The trail may or may not be groomed, and can vary from the merely tricky to insanely difficult. A double black diamond indicates the steepest, most difficult runs at a resort.

Blue Square: Intermediate trail denoted on trail maps and signs by a blue square. Usually groomed and often the most popular runs. Note: At European resorts, a blue run is actually a beginner trail and that red is used to indicate an intermediate skill level. Bomber: Slang term for a skier or snowboarder flying down a slope in an out of control fashion. Bootboard: The platform inside a boot shell that the liner sits atop. Bowl: A large mountain basin, characteristically free of trees and tailor-made for great swooping turns or steep, speedy dives. Brain Bucket: Slang term for a helmet. Bumps: See Moguls . Bunny Slope: An easy and flat area for beginner’s. This area is almost always found near the base area as this is the first lesson stop for a never-ever . Cable Car: See Tram . Camber: The upward curvature in the base of a ski or snowboard. Used to distribute weight of a rider across skis or a snowboard, as well as to provide proper tension for improved response. Determined by the amount of space beneath the center of a ski when it lays on a flat surface with its weight resting on the tip and tail.

Cant: The lateral angle of the boot in relation to the ski or snowboard. Starting from a vertical axis, your feet can be canted inwards or outwards to improve edge control. Cap Construction: A manufacturing technique where the top sheet comes all the way down to the metal edges on the sides of a ski or snowboard; making it part of the overall structure. Carving: A series of clean turns using the edges of skis or a snowboard. Carving turns can vary from tight turns to giant “S” shaped swoops. Carving Ski: Narrower skis designed for tight, clean turns. Cat Skiing: Using a Snowcat to reach and then ski areas that are not accessible by chairlifts. This is similar to Heliskiing , but less expensive. Cat Tracks: Relatively flat paths used by Snowcats to move around a mountain. These are often used by skiers and snowboarders as well to reach different areas within a resort. Chatter: The vibration of skis or snowboards caused by traveling at high speeds. Excessive chatter reduces contact between the ski and the snow and the ability to stay in total control. Chute: A steep and narrow gully, surrounded by rocks most often.

Almost certainly an expert-only run, whether it’s marked or not. Cirque: A deep, steep-walled mountain basin or amphitheater carved out of the mountain by an alpine glacier. Similar to a bowl but generally steeper. Corduroy: A common slang term for the grooves found on a recently groomed trail created by a Snowcat or grooming machine. Called as such for the obvious resemblance to the fabric. Corn Snow: Springtime snow; the repeated melting and refreezing of the snow results in corn-sized icy snow crumbs. Cornice: An overhang of snow caused by constant wind; fun to launch from, but also dangerous as they can snap off at any time. Couloirs: French for “corridor,” a couloir is similar to a chute , but typically steeper and more narrow; suitable for experts only. Crevasse: A deep and often times hidden crack in a glacier or permafrost. Cross-country Skiing: A superb workout and part of the Nordic Skiing family, cross-country-skiing uses narrow skis and bindings where the heel releases. Typically cross-country skiing is done on flat ground as opposed to riding a lift to access downhill skiing.

Crust: Refers to a frozen layer either covering softer snow or buried under a fresh dusting of snow. D Dampening: Term used to describe a tool or technique that reduces the vibrations, also known as chatter , of skis or snowboard that occur at at high speeds. Death Cookies: Slang term for the cookie-sized chunks of ice formed by grooming and snowmaking; a plague at resorts in New England and the Midwest and not often seen in big-mountain Western resorts. Delamination: The separation of a laminate along the plane of its layers. An typical case of delamination occurs with the molded layers on a ski and snowboard separating. This can ruin equipment if not attended to quickly. DIN Settings: The tension release setting that determines the amount of pressure required for a ski binding to release during a crash; stands for the German “Deutsche Industrie Normen.” Dump: Slang term for an epic snowfall of fresh powder ; A t-shirt with the staple slogan, “I love big dumps” can be found in many ski tourist towns. Durometer: The measurement used to determine the hardness of a plastic ski boot shell; the lower the durometer, the softer the shell.

Edge: The sharpened metal strip on the sides of skis and snowboards, used for gaining control by biting into the snow for smoother carving and cutting. Holding an edge is a key to a good turn. Effective Edge: The length of metal edges on the ski that is in actual contact with the snow. Today’s shaped skis have a longer effective edge, resulting in a more stable, easier turning ski. F Fall Line: The most direct line down a trail or slope; known as such as if you fall, that’s the direction you’ll slide. First Tracks: Cutting through fresh snow before anyone else does, leaving behind your trail for all else to see. FIS: French acronym (Fédération Internationale de Ski) for the International Ski Federation, the main international organization of ski sports. Flea Market: See Yard Sale . Flex: Term used for ski boots to describe stiffness of the outer shell . This term can also used describe how much a ski or snowboard bends when pressure is applied; typically, the more expert a skier, the stiffer the ski. Footbed: The removable sole inside a ski boot’s liner . Factory footbeds are typically designed to be replaced, as no two feet are alike.

Custom footbeds can (and should) be made to fit the sole of the foot as closely as possible. Free heel skiing: See Telemark Skiing . Freestyle: A style of skiing or snowboarding primarily focused on tricks. French Fries: Slang term for skiing with skis parallel to one another; the opposite of pizza. Frozen Granular: Older snow that has frozen together, typically a result of being groomed repeatedly. Fun Box: A box found in Terrain Parks built to slide (see Jib ) across on skis or snowboard. G Giant Slalom: Similar to Slalom racing, but with the racing gates placed further apart to allow for faster speeds and wider turns. This discipline uses two pole gates rather than single pole gates. Glade: A stand of trees. Goggles: Protective eyewear used not only to shade the sun and glare, but also to protect from wind, snow, and other potentially blinding objects. Gondola: An enclosed lift that fits, on average, between four to eight passengers; like a mini-cabin, and generally faster than an open chairlift.

Grab: Holding onto any part of your skis or snowboard while in the air; used to add both style to a trick and to maintain balance. See Indy or Mute for grab examples. Granular Surface: A term for snow that has been packed down and possibly groomed ; definitely not fresh powder , but instead countless tiny pellets of ice and worn out snow. Green Circle: The easiest trails on a mountain, denoted on trail maps and signs by a green circle. Usually groomed , wide and flat, and not a place for experienced skiers as traffic must remain slow. Note: European resorts will use blue as the color to indicate an easy trail. Grooming: The most common form of trail maintenance, done to spread new snow and to smooth over bumps, icy patches and other obstacles. To groom, tractors known as Snowcats drag giant rakes over the snow; on steeper slopes, winches are used to drag rakes up the incline. H Halfpipe: A U-shaped channel with smooth walls used by freestyle skiers and snowboarders for aerial tricks.

Typically a halfpipe is created by carving a channel out of massive piles of snow, but they can also be dug out of the ground in areas with minimal snowfall. Hardgoods: A catch-all term used to classify ski and snowboard equipment, including the skis, snowboards, boots and bindings. Hardpack: A term for snow that has been densely packed due to repeated grooming or skiing and the lack of fresh snowfall. Headwall: A steep to vertical cliff found at the end of a valley; often the uppermost part of a Cirque . Heliskiing: The holy grail for experienced, expert skiers. Skiers are transferred by helicopter into the backcountry to ski off-trail through fresh tracks on virgin powder . While it is expensive and potentially dangerous, it is also exhilarating and not something everyone can say they have done. Herringbone: To climb uphill on skis, spreading them apart to keep from sliding backwards; called as such due to the geometric pattern left behind in the snow. I In-bounds: Term used to describe ski terrain inside the boundaries of a ski resort; the opposite of out-of-bounds .

Indy Grab: Grabbing the toe edge of your snowboard between the bindings with your rear hand; the most basic grab . Similarly executed on skis by grabbing a ski’s outside edge. Integrated Binding: A binding system provided with skis that are designed to work specifically with that ski. Quickly becoming the industry standard as they provide better flex by bending with the ski to increase control and the transfer of power. J Jib: Riding a snowboard or skis across on a non-snow surface, be it a rail , fun box , or even fallen log. Last: A boot maker’s term for the interior shape of a ski boot. Lasted Liner: A ski boot term used to describe the best type of liner constructed around a mold of the actual foot size for an improved fit. Lateral Upper-cuff Adjustment: An adjustment on some ski boots that allows the user to shift the upper boot. Useful for bowlegged or knock-kneed people who need to adjust their upper boot to the angle of their lower legs. Liftie: A slang term for a ski lift operator. Liner: The removable, soft inner boot designed to provide both support and padding against the hard outer shell of a ski boot.

M Magic Carpet: A conveyor-belt like surface lift. Typically found only on smaller, bunny slopes where younger kids learn to ski and snowboard. Mashed Potatoes: A slang term for wet and heavy snow. Memory Foam: A layer of foam within a ski boot designed to mold to a skier’s foot over time. Micro-fleece: An improved form of fleece, with a tighter, less dense knit that cuts down on size. A great material to use for a middle layer. Mid-fat Ski: Another term for an All-Mountain Ski . Milk Run: The first run early in the day. Moguls: Bumps carved into the snow; typically they are created by the turns of skiers, but they can also be carved out for perfectly shaped mogul field. Mondopoint: The standard European measurement for shoe sizes, commonly used for ski boots. It’s based on the mean foot length for which the shoe is suitable, measured in centimeters. To determine U.S. sizing from Mondopoint, simply add the first and second digits together, and then add the decimal point (you will need add 1 to you calculated result to convert a U.S. men’s size to a women’s).

For Mondopoint sizes greater than 30.0, add 9.0 to get the correct conversion (e.g., Mondo 30.0: 3 + 0 + .0 + 9 = 12.0). Monoski: A type of ski with both boots attached to a single board. Monoskis became relatively popular in Europe, but never quite caught on in the United States. This term is also used to refer to the “sit-ski” used by handicapped skiers. Mute Grab: Grabbing the toe edge of your snowboard between the bindings with your front hand. Similarly executed on skis by grabbing a ski’s outside edge. N NASTAR: A worldwide program that allows ski or snowboard racers of all ages and abilities to compare themselves with one another through an intricate handicapping system. NASTAR is an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race. Never-ever: A first time skier or snowboarder. No-fall Zone: An area where falling will likely lead to serious injury; the initial entry into a steep chute is often described as a no-fall zone.

Nordic Skiing: Most commonly used to refer to cross-country skiing, but in fact can be any form of skiing where the heel of the boot releases from the binding. Along with cross-country, common forms of Nordic skiing include Telemark Skiing and ski jumping. O Off-piste: Out-of-bounds. Off a trail and other areas not marked on trail map; sometimes used in place of backcountry . Piste: The French word for “trail.” Pit Zips: Jacket zippers located under the armpits allowing the user to circulate air through jacket on warmer days. Pizza: Slang term for a elementary skiing technique where skis are tilted together like a slice of pizza to snowplow down a slope. Pole Grip: The handle on a ski pole. Powder: Fresh, dry and lightweight snow that for many is the Holy Grail of skiing and snowboarding. Large amounts of fresh powder make for epic skiing conditions. Powder Skis: Designed to float atop powder , these skis are particularly popular in areas that receive frequent major storms.

The mega-wide waist widths – ranging from 105mm to 130mm – keep the skis from sinking deep into fresh snow, but they can be challenging and sluggish to control on groomed runs. Power Strap: The Velcro strap at the top end of a ski boot used to make sure that the top of the boot gives a snug fit connecting to the calf and shin. R Racing Ski: Typically stiffer, longer, and narrower than the average ski.Sometimes known as Slalom or Giant Slalom skis. Racing Boot: Designed for racing, these boots are stiffer and often more narrow than the average boot. Rail: A bar, typically metal, built to be slid up by skiers and snowboarders. Almost exclusively found in a Terrain Park . Reverse Camber: The downward arc formed in a ski or snowboard by applying pressure from above. The more pressure applied, the greater amount of reverse camber created, thus loading the skis or snowboard with more energy for turning. Some skis are designed with reverse camber, which is built-in to keep the tips floating above the snow.

Rope Tow: A common surface lift, typically found running up beginner bunny slopes ; a constantly moving rope that yanks skiers up the slope as they stand on their skis or snowboard. Runout: A flat expansive area at the end of run that allows racers to slow down, as well as a fairly flat run used to link tougher trails back to a ski lift. Schussing: Skiing straight downhill without turning. Shaped Skis: Term used to describe the hourglass shape utilized by the majority of skis today. Wider in the tips and tails and narrower at the waist , shaped skis require less effort to turn as the shape itself initiates a curve. The degree of actual shape depends on how much sidecut has been built in. Also know as parabolic skis. Shell: The hard plastic outer portion of a ski boot. Shovel: (ski): The front end of a ski, which often bows out to a larger shovel shape to avoid sinking into snow. Sidecut: The inner curvature of a ski or snowboard, measured by the difference between the narrowest point in waist of a ski or snowboard to the widest points at the tip and tail.

The curvature of a sidecut is the key component in creating a turning radius ; the more drastic the sidecut, the sharper the turn. Six-pack: Slang term for a chair lift carrying six people. Ski Boards: Extremely short skis that are like a cross between skiing and inline skating. Also known as snowblades. Ski Brake: A required attachment for ski bindings designed to stop a ski from shooting downhill after being detached. Ski Patrol: Trained skiers and snowboarders responsible for slope safety, including clearing areas of possible avalanche danger after a storm, marking dangerous obstacles on/near a trail, and assisting or even carting injured riders down a mountain. Skier’s Left: Used to describe the area to the left of someone heading downhill. Skier’s Right: Used to describe the area to the right of someone heading downhill. Ski-in: Accommodation that can be reached from the ski area via skis or snowboard. Skijoring: A version of skiing in which the skier is attached to a set of dogs or a horse by a waistband and then pulled across flat ground.

Skins: Synthetic or mohair strips of material that can be temporarily affixed to the bottom of skis for climbing up hills. Used to access higher elevations in the backcountry without constantly slipping backwards. Ski-out: Accommodation from which it’s possible to ride from the door to the lifts. Ski-walk Adjustment: An adjustment on some ski boots that allows the upper cuff to hinge backward, giving room for a more natural walking motion when skis are off. Slalom: A form of downhill skiing where racers head downhill on a course line with tightly spaced gates that must be passed between with short, quick turns; see also Giant Slalom . Snowcat: A tracked vehicle used for moving around snowy, mountainous areas; often seen dragging giant rakes as they groom runs, but also used to transport riders into the backcountry for cat skiing . Snowplow: A beginner’s technique for slowing down on skis. Done by bringing the front tips of a pair of skis together, pushing the tails apart, and applying pressure on the skis’ inside edges. Also called pizza . Snowskate: Similar to a skateboard deck without wheels, designed to be ridden on snow for freestyle tricks.

Softgoods: Catch-all term used to classify ski and snowboard clothing, including jackets, gloves, long underwear, and hats. Straight-lining: See Schussing . Super G: The fastest discipline in Alpine racing. Similar to Giant Slalom but with even fewer turns to negotiate allowing higher speeds. Superpipe: A larger version of a regular halfpipe ; walls in a superpipe can measure up to 20ft. Surface Lifts: Lifts that drag, yank, or pull skiers up a slope along the ground as opposed to in the air; see Rope Tow , T-bar , and Magic Carpet . Tail: The back end of a ski. T-bar: A surface lift that pulls you up hill by grabbing onto and then sitting on a plastic T-shaped arm suspended from a moving line. Often found on small and flat beginner slopes, but they can also be found high up a mountain in steep areas where a chairlift can’t or hasn’t yet been built. Telemark Skiing: Part of the Nordic Skiing family and a hybrid of downhill and cross-country skiing . Skiing with detached heels allows for traversing across flat ground but telemark skis are also wide enough to handle high speeds and sharp turns.

Known for its distinctive forward bent knee “telemark” turn. Sometimes called “free heel skiing.” Terrain Park: A freestyle zone roped off from other downhill runs and filled with jumps, rails , fun boxes , and other assorted obstacles. Parks can also include a halfpipe and boardercross run. Tracked Out: Slang term for a slope of once fresh snow that has been ridden over repeatedly. Tram: The largest aerial lift; the bus-size cabins can hold upwards of 100 passengers, and are most often used to cover long vertical distances. Transition: The section of a halfpipe linking the vertical walls to the flat floor; also know as trannies. Traverse: Skiing across a slope, often in a zigzag pattern, as opposed to straight down; typically done to keep speeds down on steep surface or to cut across a mountain. Tree Line: The altitude at which trees stop growing on a mountain. In the U.S., the tree line floats between 8,000 and 10,000 ft, while in Europe it tends to be lower; closer to 7,000 ft.

Tree Well: A dangerous hollow space formed around the base of trees after heavy snowfalls; fatal accidents can occur by falling into one. Turning Radius: A function of sidecut , the turning radius equals the natural circle that a pair of skis or a snowboard can make on edge . The more dramatic the sidecut, the tighter the turning radius. Twin Tip: Skis where both the tail and tip are turned up at the end, enabling a skier to ski backwards with ease. Originally popular only with freestyle skiers, as the twin tip shape allows for reverse (known as fakie or switch) take-offs and landings off jumps. Modern advancements, however, have seen twin tip shapes appear more often in big mountain skis, as they shape handles smoothly in powder conditions. U - There are no ski terms in our glossary that begin with the letter U at this time. W Waist Width: Measurement taken of the narrowest portion across a ski or snowboard, usually the middle of the sidecut . Wax: Used on the base of skis and snowboards to keep them gliding smoothly over variable snow conditions. New skis and snowboards will typically come waxed, but should be tuned after several uses.

Waxless Skis: A type of cross-country ski designed with a crosshatch or fish-scale pattern on the base that reduces or eliminate the need for wax . Wedge Turn: See Snowplow . White Out: When visibility drops to almost nothing; caused by heavy snowfall, fog, or a combination of the two. Wind Packed: A term used to describe snow that has been compressed by the movement of the wind. Ski slope colour codes Written by snowman What do the slope colors and symbols mean? This can be confusing for beginners, or even for experienced skiers who are heading to a different ski region. Europe is much different from the US in these codes. Let’s start with the US markings: North American slope markings Green (circle): Beginner slope. This is for people who have never skied before, or are just starting out. Probably not exciting for intermediate or expert skiers, because these may not even be steep enough to make many turns. Blue (square): Intermediate slope. More varied terrain, and a bit steeper. Could also be good for experts who want to do some nice, carving turns without picking up tons of speed. Black (diamond): Expert slope.

This could be a mogul run, or a steep piste. It’s recommended that beginners avoid these entirely, and intermediates only try them once their skills are improving and their confidence is rising. Double black diamond: Experts only. If you have any fear at all on a standard Black Diamond, stay away from the double blacks. They may be very steep, have huge moguls, or have a narrow couloir (a steep and narrow corridor where you have to go straight down, and turning might crash you into rocks or trees). Orange (rectangle): Terrain park. May also have a trail rating showing how difficult it is. Only go in here if you want to do some jumps and tricks. Probably not for beginners ;-). European slope markings Green: Learner slope, hardly any grade at all, may be very wide. Not used in all countries. Blue: Beginner slope. This is usually equivalent to the US “Green Circle” so don’t be confused at an Austrian resort with no “green” slopes. Here, blue is beginner! Red: Intermediate slope. Yep, there’s an extra color in Europe, and red slopes are open for intermediate skiers and boarders to improve their skills. Black: Expert slope.

These may range from a normal expert slope like in North America to a super-tough one. But in most places (like the ultra-steep Harikiri at Mayrhofen), there will be an extra sign explaining if the slope is exceptionally hard. Orange: This means extremely difficult, and may be found only in certain countries like Austria and Switzerland. Yellow: Generally a “skiroute,” which may be an uncontrolled or ungroomed off-piste area. Often these trails are marked but wind a long way down the mountain with flat spots which may be a pain for snowboarders. May be marked with orange squares in Austria. In Skiing, what is a Black Diamond? (with pictures) In Skiing, what is a Black Diamond? Last Modified Date: 10 January 2017 Copyright Protected: These 10 facts about space will blow your mind A ski slope with a black diamond rating is said to be one of the more difficult slopes relative to others around it. When considering ski run categories, this symbol has traditionally been used for the most difficult, though in recent years a double black diamond designation has been implemented.

No matter if it is a single or double, however, it will still be one of the more difficult trails at a particular resort . It should be noted there is no national or international system for rating trails. It is up to each ski resort or ski area to determine their own classification system and the trails will be marked relative to other trails on the property. This can sometimes be confusing, and it is possible that a trail of similar length, width, and gradient will be marked differently at two different locations. The black diamond is one of several ski run levels. Others include the green circle, generally regarded as the easiest trails for beginners, and the blue square, which is an intermediate trail. In Europe, the system is somewhat different. While the trails are marked by the same color, the shapes may or may not be used. Green is still the easiest, followed by blue and black as the difficulty increases. Ad As far as ski runs go, the most challenging should only be attempted by skiers who have a fair amount of experience and are comfortable traversing trails rated at lower levels of difficulty. Due to the fact there is no standardized rating system, it is always good for skiers to start out on a lower rated trail when skiing in an unfamiliar area.

This will give him or her an idea of how the ratings may work for that particular location. A ski slope rated as a black diamond will often be one of the steepest on the hill. It may also be narrower than most of the other trails, requiring more frequent hairpin turns in order to control speed and positioning. Hazards may include cliffs, trees and rocks. The trail may or may not be groomed, depending on the resort's practices. A double black diamond course is sometimes even substantially more difficult than a single, and these courses may have extremely steep slopes and often are not groomed. It is up to the skier to traverse the mountain in a responsible way and those attempting a difficult who are not ready for it are subjecting themselves to risk of serious injury. Ad

Question: In skiing, what colour diamond denotes an expert trail on signs and trail maps?
Answer: BLACK