Triple Black Diamonds at Big Sky

[tirolski]

Ok then explain the money theory.

Here’s an idea.
Give the national ski patrollers some $ for expenses and they could do it. Might even make less sled runs for them.
The insurance companies may kick in some $.
Since slopes difficulties change with conditions they could also put some signage up for today’s difficulty. (Stimp meter-esque).

 

[Tjf1967]

Ok then explain the money theory.

Although the usga is a not for profit they are surrounded my the resources. Heck the PGA is not profit. They have the resources and vision to create a rating system so every educated golfer knows what they are getting into.

 

[Scrundy]

I think Windham puts a combo black diamond inside a blue square to indicate a harder intermediate run. Same idea?

Yes they do, found it odd till I skied it and then it made sense

 

[Harvey]

Although the usga is a not for profit they are surrounded my the resources. Heck the PGA is not profit. They have the resources and vision to create a rating system so every educated golfer knows what they are getting into.

I though you were saying the individual mountains somehow make more money with a subjective rating system.

The current system is designed for the people who ski there. New people can quickly get an idea of which trails are steepest/hardest, and regulars who are learning can aspire. I'll never forget the day my daughter skied 46er, Lies and then Rumor for the first time. The whole "double black" thing was huge for her.

 

[chumpomatic]

What the? Now we have double blues.

https://www.powder.com/trending-news/montan-resort-unveils-double-blue-squares

JH has had double blues for at least several years also. I have always thought of them as similar to reds in Europe.

 

[chumpomatic]

I though you were saying the individual mountains somehow make more money with a subjective rating system.

The current system is designed for the people who ski there. New people can quickly get an idea of which trails are steepest/hardest, and regulars who are learning can aspire. I'll never forget the day my daughter skied 46er, Lies and then Rumor for the first time. The whole "double black" thing was huge for her.

Climbing grades vary quite a bit from place to place and the variations can sometimes be consequential. Climbing in the Gunks is a good example of this but at least it has a reputation for stiff grades. Even worse, climbing gyms today have incredibly soft grades and I do think this is because they believe, maybe rightly so, that their customers want to feel like they're sending tougher climbs than they actually are. Unfortunately this can create dangerous situations when those same climbers attempt similar grades outside.

I think some ski hills do the climbing gym thing when grading their runs and I think it's because they want to make their customers happy. So yeah, money. Of course that's purely speculation on my part.

 

[Tjf1967]

Telluride has the toughest blues.

 

[Ripitz]

Climbing in the Gunks is a good example of this but at least it has a reputation for stiff grades.

Trad is the way.

 

[raisingarizona]

Telluride has the toughest blues.

Telluride is steep af.

 

[MarzNC]

Telluride has the toughest blues.

Do you mean the blues or the double-blues?