blue runs - not??

Tony_H wrote:I am not a fan of the blue "tracks" as I call them. These are often roads which are pisted in the winter, and usually offer nothing more than access from A to B. Yes they can be narrow, but you really have to learn to ski on all types of surfaces and width runs.
It does not mean all blues are tracks, but it probably does mean all tracks are blues. I prefer to ski reds as I prefer something with more momentum, and I obviously prefer wider reds too. But you cant always choose the type of piste you ski on.
I have found these kind of runs are often exit runs from a mountain, or links to a lift station. If you dont like them, you dont HAVE to ski them.

i don't mind the narrow tracks it's the flatness of them that drives me mad :evil:

i have been reading this thread, i thought blue runs were beginner slopes i cant figure out the narrow icy track bit? am i getting it wrong again?

i also thought the blues were very wide and only a gentle slope.

Don't worry about it!

steverandomno wrote:

The problem is that these decisions are made by intermediate/advanced skiers who have forgotten the fear factor of being a beginner. Also, the marketing dept are likely to put a stop to any upward reclassification of a key connector that would potentialy discourage beginner skiers from choosing the resort in the first place.

I have always wondered if resorts ever employ/consult the odd beginner on their saftey crew. It might give them a unique insight into the world from their perspective.

Although I'm sure that marketing comes into it - Val d'Isere comes to mind :D That 'blue' run back into the village from Solaise is only a blue cos it needs to look on the piste map as if there is an easy route back home. )

Having spent years teaching on snow I'm pretty sure that instructors are in a better position to determine the grade of a run than the beginners they are teaching. After all they spend hours/days picking the easiest route down a piste for their charges.

The thing that makes that Solaise blue run that I mentioned particularly tricky for some is not its steepness as such or its width but the fact that it 'falls' in 2 different directions at the same time. This makes turning in one paricular direction very scary for those of a nervous disposition.

I think that by and large most resorts get their grading about right but there will be an exception or 2 in every resort.

amanda n wrote:i have been reading this thread, i thought blue runs were beginner slopes i cant figure out the narrow icy track bit? am i getting it wrong again?

i also thought the blues were very wide and only a gentle slope.

It seems mainly in France that mountain roads are left to the elements, and hey presto a blue run, they normally run through the valleys so they are pretty flat, and the width of a road :shock: :shock:

I know what everyone means about 'blue tracks'. The so called 'beginner's run' in Sauze is a nightmare, as although it's pretty flat, there is no room to turn so it's a case of snowplough all the way down which is knackering. :(

I can understand the thought behind using this, as it got us up the mountain on our second day, but the red route down in not particularly steep and is much more pleasant as you can actually practice your turns. Let's just say that given the option on day 3, we all chose the red alternative instead! :D

Ian Wickham wrote:

amanda n wrote:i have been reading this thread, i thought blue runs were beginner slopes i cant figure out the narrow icy track bit? am i getting it wrong again?

i also thought the blues were very wide and only a gentle slope.

It seems mainly in France that mountain roads are left to the elements, and hey presto a blue run, they normally run through the valleys so they are pretty flat, and the width of a road :shock: :shock:

thanks wickers didnt realise that

amanda n wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

amanda n wrote:i have been reading this thread, i thought blue runs were beginner slopes i cant figure out the narrow icy track bit? am i getting it wrong again?

i also thought the blues were very wide and only a gentle slope.

It seems mainly in France that mountain roads are left to the elements, and hey presto a blue run, they normally run through the valleys so they are pretty flat, and the width of a road :shock: :shock:

thanks wickers didnt realise that

Thats what I'm here for :mrgreen: