How steep is a blue run ???

This might help Doc ....

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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: