Why am I stuck on blue runs?

Most intermediate skiers plateau because they rely on 'survival skiing' - snowplowing to control speed instead of properly carved turns. Breaking the wedge habit requires intentional practice on easier terrain.

How long does it take to progress from intermediate to advanced?

With focused practice, most skiers can progress from solid blues to easy blacks in 10-15 ski days. The key is drilling proper technique on groomed runs before tackling steeper terrain.

What's the best terrain to improve skiing?

Practice on well-groomed blue runs with consistent pitch. Avoid crowded cat-tracks. Look for resorts with long, wide intermediate runs like Deer Valley, Beaver Creek, or Snowmass.

Intermediate Ski Progression: Breaking the Blue Run Plateau

By Ski Resorts Close-To-Me • January 2026 • 8 min read

You can ski every blue run at your home mountain. You feel confident. But black diamonds? They still terrify you. Sound familiar?

You're stuck in the "intermediate plateau" - the most common place skiers get stuck. The good news: breaking through is 100% achievable with the right approach.

🎿 Why Intermediates Get Stuck

Most intermediate skiers develop what instructors call "survival skiing":

Snowplow (wedge) to control speed instead of edge control
Sitting back in the boots (backseat)
Steering with upper body instead of legs
Avoiding steeper terrain = never learning to handle it

⚠️ The Plateau Trap
If you can ski blues all day but still snowplow on steeps, you've developed muscle memory that's holding you back. Breaking it requires intentional practice on easier terrain before tackling harder runs.

📈 The Progression Ladder

Solid Wedge Turns (Green Runs)

Comfortable snowplow, can stop reliably, basic speed control

Wedge Christie (Easy Blues)

Start in wedge, bring skis parallel at end of turn

Basic Parallel (Blues)

Skis stay parallel throughout turn - THIS IS WHERE MOST PLATEAU

Dynamic Parallel (Steep Blues)

Active edge engagement, pole plants, forward pressure

Short Radius Turns (Easy Blacks)

Quick, rhythmic turns for speed control on steeps

🏋️ Drills That Actually Work

1. The One-Ski Drill

Difficulty: Medium | Where: Easy blue groomer

Ski down on ONE ski only (lift the other). This forces proper balance and edge engagement. Alternate legs. If you can't do this, you're skiing backseat.

2. Javelin Turns

Difficulty: Medium | Where: Blue groomer

Lift your inside ski completely during turns (like a javelin). This forces 100% weight on the outside ski - the proper position for carved turns.

3. Hockey Stops Both Ways

Difficulty: Easy-Medium | Where: Any groomed run

Practice hockey stops turning BOTH directions. Most skiers have a weak side. Train your weak side until it matches your strong side.

4. Thousand Steps

Difficulty: Easy | Where: Green or easy blue

Take tiny, rapid steps while skiing down. This breaks the static stance habit and promotes dynamic movement.

5. Pole Drag

Difficulty: Easy | Where: Blue groomer

Drag both pole tips in the snow while skiing. This forces your hands forward and prevents the "backseat" position.

💡 The 70% Rule

Practice drills on terrain that feels 70% of your maximum challenge level. You should feel comfortable enough to focus on technique, not survival. Drilling on terrain that scares you just reinforces bad habits.

🏔️ Best Resorts for Intermediate Progression

The ideal practice terrain has:

Long, wide groomed runs (not cat-tracks)
Consistent pitch (no surprise steep sections)
Low traffic (you need space to practice)
Easy black runs nearby to test yourself

Top Progression Resorts

Deer Valley, UT - Legendary grooming, wide cruisers
Beaver Creek, CO - "Ski school mountain" for a reason
Snowmass, CO - Long blues with gradual progression to blacks
Park City, UT - Massive variety with gentle steeps
Northstar, CA - Excellent intermediate terrain, rarely crowded

📝 Your 10-Day Progression Plan

Days 1-2: One-ski drill and hockey stops on greens
Days 3-4: Javelin turns on easy blues
Days 5-6: Pole drag + thousand steps on moderate blues
Days 7-8: Short radius turns on steep blues
Days 9-10: Apply everything on easy black diamonds!

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Skiing tired - Bad habits return when exhausted
❌ Chasing friends on hard terrain - Survival mode prevents learning
❌ Never taking a lesson - One intermediate lesson = weeks of self-practice
❌ Wrong equipment - Too-long skis or poorly-fitted boots limit progression

💡 The Best Investment

A 2-hour intermediate group lesson costs ~$100-150 and can identify the specific habit holding YOU back. Worth more than days of unfocused practice.