Understanding Skiing’s Relative Difficulty Ratings

Based in Stowe, Vermont, Kendal A. Daiger is the director of marketing at Spruce Peak Realty. In this position she manages a marketing budget of more than $1 million. Outside her work at Spruce Peak Realty, Kendal A. Daiger enjoys leading an active lifestyle. Her interests range from barrel racing to skiing.

Ski resorts in the United States uses an internationally recognized difficulty rating system for ski and snowboard trails that involves signs of different shapes and colors. The difficulty level associated with each symbol is well known to avid skiers, but what even the most experienced individuals may be unaware of is that trail ratings are based on the mountain and surrounding area, not on all trails in the nation or the world.

With this in mind, it is advisable to take things slowly when skiing in a new location. Green circles, for example, are used to denote the simplest trails on a mountain, with the exception of bunny trails used for teaching beginners to ski. If an intermediate or advanced skier finds a green circle trail surprisingly challenging at the start of the day, it may be indicative of a mountain that is overall much more difficult than those the individual is accustomed to.

Of course, the opposite can also be true. Blue squares symbolize intermediate trails, for instance. However, if an intermediate skier finds himself or herself cruising through these runs on a new mountain, he or she might consider stepping up to a black diamond trail, those reserved for advanced skiers.

The most challenging runs in the world are denoted by a pair of black diamonds. While these ratings are also relative, it is safe to assume that only highly experienced skiers or snowboarders should attempt these runs, no matter where they are found.