East/West trail difficulty rating comparisons

[takeahike46er]

Generally, the runs at W/B are more challenging than back east, though it depends on the run and the conditions on any given day.

The double-blacks are on another level, however. They can involve big cornice drops, mandatory airs, cliffs, narrow chutes—depending on the run. Though, to be fair, there are some double-blacks that aren’t that hard.

Generally, snow quality can be a mixed bag. You might find cold powder in the alpine, icy hard pack at mid, and slush at the bottom—all in the same day.

 

[takeahike46er]

I would also add that, within each trail rating, there is a much wider range of difficulty at W/B than mountains in the east.

For example, Blackcomb Glacier, seen below, is labeled as a blue. Meanwhile, there are plenty of blues that are more comparable to the blues you’d find at Gore or Whiteface.

My advice is to ski what looks like fun and is within your comfort level—and to not focus too much on the ratings.

 

[Face4Me]

My advice is to ski what looks like fun and is within your comfort level—and to not focus too much on the ratings.

This is excellent advice, particularly "what looks like fun".

For me, it's all about being able to see what I'm getting into, before I get into it, so that I can assess whether or not it's something that I feel I can handle.

If you read my Fernie trip report, I described "Corner Pocket". On our first day, we had run into some people who described it to us. Based on their description, and its double-black diamond rating, I was somewhat reluctant to try it. When we got to the top of it a couple of days later, however, and I was able to see it, I realized that it was no big deal at all ... we had already skied a bunch of single black diamonds that were far more difficult.

 

[Brownski]

Also, don’t worry too much. Once in awhile you need to push yourself past what’s “fun” in the traditional sense and scare yourself a little. Next time it will be fun.

 

[tirolski]

There’s a trail conditions variable associated with the difficulty of skiing them.

When ya have fresh legs it’s easier than when yer toasted.

“Hardest” run I did last year was through the slop on the green Sunway trail at Gore coming down from the tippy top at the end of the day towards the end of the year in late April. I don’t usually ever stop but had to briefly a couple times. Shoulda just Wild Aired it.

Choose wisely.
Skiing is fun.

 

[Andy_ROC]

Another vote for: if you can ski blues at those big east mountains then you can do blues at western mountains without concern. Maybe even easier because of snow quality and wider runs.

 

[JTG]

Perhaps it’s because I don’t spend much time looking for green/blue terrain when I’m out West, but to me there is not really any discernible difference between greens/blues in the East vs out West. I suppose that Blackcomb Glacier example above is a good indication that blues out there can prove to be more difficult than blues in the East. The takeaway from that I suppose is that once you get into any high alpine environment you lose basis for comparison to the East. So, generally on the mountain out there you will be fine with any blues, but expect that you could be challenged (not a bad thing) when you venture into high alpine blues. The pitch won’t be the problem there but surface conditions and visibility could be a challenge.

I do think when it comes to expert/extreme terrain there is a discernible difference. Given the size and geologic makeup of Western mountains there is just much steeper terrain, and not just steep but consequential. Inbounds 50 degree terrain out West isn’t uncommon. Then there is the length of such runs and exposure you just don’t find many places in the East. Back to that Paradise example at MRG. Yeah, there will be a waterfall, some drops, and some narrow places to work through, which can be challenging no doubt, but they can be worked through and the rest of the run isn’t all that technical/difficult……whereas out west you’ll find long runs that are very steep and technical from top to bottom. In a nutshell, I’ve never come across a piece of Eastern terrain where I’ve said ‘no f’ing way’….but I’ve passed on really intimidating terrain out West plenty.

Not that that should shake any Eastern expert skiers confidence on Western terrain, but the advice to be able to see down what you will be skiing is very good advice.

 

[MadKitty]

Why is it harder in your opinion? I guess my ask is what makes a run harder specifically? Paradise is technically interesting for east coast ski runs but is it that hard? I never had an issue skiing it back in my teens and I wasn't that great of a skier back then. I could always make it work and never had an issue with it. It was fun but I didn't see much that was super hard to ski it. Theres lines at Crested Butte that make most strong expert skiers question their abilities and risk acceptance standards so much more. It gets really fucking exciting at these places. You seriously have no idea if you're trying to make these sort of comparisons. Comparing Paradise to Body Bag at CB or Alta Zero at Jackson is fucking cute at best. Sorry not sorry.

A better comparison would be paradise vs jackson's signature on map steeps (say alta 1/2 or tower 3 chute). In typical conditions paradise is much more difficult to ski fluidly than those. If you are keeping your skis on the ground or comparing airs of equivalent size I have always found eastern skiing much more difficult than stuff out west. It's the sustained tightness, shitty snow, thin cover and postage stamp flat landings. Obviously most places out west have cliff lines way bigger than anything in the east, that stuff is a whole other animal.

Also, Paradise is pretty benign compared to many of the off map runs at MRG and many other eastern mtns.

 

[MadKitty]

I’ve never come across a piece of Eastern terrain where I’ve said ‘no f’ing way’….but I’ve passed on really intimidating terrain out West plenty.

Hint: Traverse past paradise into upper octo, three cliffs etc. That stuff is out there isn't just not on the map.

 

[NYSnowflake]

Interesting discussion and many valid points made. I appreciate everyone sharing their take. I guess I will have to go to know