Double black diamonds represent advanced to expert terrain on any mountain. Don't attempt to ski these runs without experience on the mountain. It's always better to ski well on easier terrain than it is to ski badly (and dangerously) on advanced terrain. However, the following tips may be helpful. There are three main reasons why a run will be rated double black diamond: Steepness (typically above 40 or 45 degrees), narrowness (chokes, couloirs, trees) and hazards (cliffs, rocks, outcroppings). Black diamonds may or may not have moguls, depending on the accessibility of the run.
Tips & Warnings
Always perfect your style on easier terrain first. If you're style is off, you won't be able to ski steeper, more challenging runs well.
Keep your shoulders square to the ground. This will ensure your balance is in the right place. A good exercise on blue terrain is to see whether you can keep contact with the slope with both poles during turns. Hold your poles out to your side with straight arms so that the points are touching the snow. Do a couple of turns. If your downhill pole comes off the ground, you're leaning into the slope and will fall on steeper terrain.
Practice edging on blue terrain. "Rail" turns leave two tight lines behind you. If you do this right you will be better able to control releasing and engaging your edges on steep, advanced terrain.
Take a lesson. It's worth it. An instructor can see what you're doing wrong, and correct it quickly.
Always perfect your style on easier terrain first. If you're style is off, you won't be able to ski steeper, more challenging runs well.
Keep your shoulders square to the ground. This will ensure your balance is in the right place. A good exercise on blue terrain is to see whether you can keep contact with the slope with both poles during turns. Hold your poles out to your side with straight arms so that the points are touching the snow. Do a couple of turns. If your downhill pole comes off the ground, you're leaning into the slope and will fall on steeper terrain.
Practice edging on blue terrain. "Rail" turns leave two tight lines behind you. If you do this right you will be better able to control releasing and engaging your edges on steep, advanced terrain.
Take a lesson. It's worth it. An instructor can see what you're doing wrong, and correct it quickly.
Article Written By Benjamin Williams
Ben Williams is an award-winning reporter and freelance writer based out of Colorado. He has written for conglomerates of newspapers and magazines, supplying news, features, editorial and opinion. While running an Energy Services and Consulting firm, he now writes for multiple websites including the news site, Examiner.com.
