Every mountain is going to rate their run difficulties slightly differently. There is no real official standard to it.Why do different ski areas rate so differently from others?For marketing purposes. When you are looking through a magazine or through a web site that details specifications of a ski area, the management of the ski area will attempt to tweak the percentages of runs to what type of customer they are trying to attract.You mentioned A-Basin… Perfect example. The area is one big granite cliff. Almost all black and double black diamond trails. Now there are plenty of skiers/riders who have a blast there, but typically they are locals, ski bums, or individuals. Needless to say, when you take that demographic and compare it to families, groups, and adventure seeking tourists, you can guess which one have the most money to spend. The second group of
Every mountain is going to rate their run difficulties slightly differently. There is no real official standard to it.Why do different ski areas rate so differently from others?For marketing purposes. When you are looking through a magazine or through a web site that details specifications of a ski area, the management of the ski area will attempt to tweak the percentages of runs to what type of customer they are trying to attract.You mentioned A-Basin… Perfect example. The area is one big granite cliff. Almost all black and double black diamond trails. Now there are plenty of skiers/riders who have a blast there, but typically they are locals, ski bums, or individuals. Needless to say, when you take that demographic and compare it to families, groups, and adventure seeking tourists, you can guess which one have the most money to spend. The second group of course. For that reason, the management at A-basin (and other comparable mountains like Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, Alyeska, etc…) tweaks their maps to attract the bigger money crowd.The opposite case is true with more “rinky dink” mountains taking an obvious blue trail and marking it “black diamond”. They do it to say to the public, “Hey, we are small but we have skiing for ALL ability levels!”Don't get me wrong, I am not criticizing them or saying that they are being flat out dishonest. Many many trails are borderline and need to get designated one way or the other. Conditionals and grooming play a major role as well. When mountain management rate their trails, they do so at the advise and approval of ski patrol and reserve the right to do so.As a rider, it is your responsibility to know your ability level and survey the mountain and the conditions and decide if a trail is right for you or not. You must know “the code” and abide by it. If you are asking yourself, “What does Frosty mean by The Code?” then you better pay attention. When you buy a lift ticket you automatically agree to abide by the “Skier / Rider Responsibility Code”.Your Responsibility Code 1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. Part of your responsibility as a skier/snowboarder is to be in control at all times on the slopes. Be aware of your speed and the speed of those around you to maintain safe skiing on the slopes. 2. People ahead you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.When approaching other skiers and snowboarders on the slopes, remain a clear distance from them when passing. Watch for skiers making quick turns to the right and left in front of you. Keep distance from the skier or snowboarder in front of you to allow for enough room to stop or swerve if they make a sudden turn or stop. 3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above. If you need to take a rest or wait for friends on the slopes, select a spot on the trail where you can be clearly seen by someone approaching from above. Do not stop in the middle of a trail-move to the side. 4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others. Keep an eye out for skiers up the hill as you enter a trail. It is your responsibility to make sure the trail is clear before entering or beginning again. 5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Safety straps and ski stops are required to make sure a lost ski or snowboard does not injure another skier. 6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of all closed areas. Obey the closed trail signs. Trails are closed due to avalanche danger, unstable conditions or exposed rocks and terrain. 7. Prior to using any lift, you must have knowledge and the ability to load, ride and unload safely. Stay within your ability and board lifts carefully and safely. Ask lift operators for help if unsure about loading and unloading procedures.Know the CodeYour Responsibility Code was established in 1966 by the National Ski Areas Association as a code of ethics for all skiers on the mountain. Today, the code reflects not only skier safety, but snowboarder and lift safety as well.In places like Colorado, the code is STATE LAW and disobeying it can get you in trouble with the law!I guess my point is that if you enter a blue run and have the attitude that “If I get hurt and I think this is out of line for what a Blue run aught to be then the resort is responsible.” then you are wrong wrong wrong.I don't like to end on a negative note, but that's all I have for now 🙂 HAVE FUN!
