Ski Resort Green Circle vs Blue Square vs Black Diamond: Trail Ratings Explained

Every ski resort uses a color-coded trail rating system. Here's what each symbol means and what terrain to expect.

The Standard North American Rating System

Green Circle: Easiest

What to Expect

Pitch: 6-25% grade (gentle slope) Width: Wide, usually groomed Features: Minimal obstacles, no surprises Skill required: Able to make basic turns and stop

Characteristics

Wide, open runs Consistent pitch (no sudden steeps) Groomed smooth Often near base area Magic carpets/slow lifts access

Who Should Ski Greens

• First-time skiers
• Early beginners
• Anyone warming up
• Families with young children
• Those returning after a long break

Tips for Green Runs

1. Practice turns consistently 2. Work on controlling speed with wedge/pizza 3. Try linking S-turns 4. Build confidence before moving up

Example Green Runs

• Vail: Simba, Born Free
• Breckenridge: Trygve's Run
• Park City: Easy Street
• Killington: Snowshed, Schoolmarm

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Blue Square: Intermediate

What to Expect

Pitch: 25-40% grade (moderate slope) Width: Medium to wide Features: Some moguls, variable terrain Skill required: Parallel turns, hockey stops

Characteristics

Steeper than greens May have moguls (bumps) Narrower in sections May have some ungroomed patches Can have variable snow conditions

Who Should Ski Blues

• Comfortable making parallel turns
• Can stop confidently at moderate speed
• Has conquered the bunny hill and greens
• Usually: after 3-5 days of skiing

The Green-to-Blue Jump

This is where most skiers struggle. Differences to prepare for:

Tips for First Blue Runs

1. Choose an easy blue (ask locals/lift operators) 2. Warm up on greens first 3. Take it slow—you can always speed up 4. Stop frequently to rest and evaluate 5. If it feels too hard, traverse and find another route down

Example Blue Runs

• Vail: Swingsville, Whiskey Jack
• Breckenridge: Duke's Run
• Park City: Mel's Alley
• Killington: Great Northern

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Black Diamond: Advanced

What to Expect

Pitch: 40%+ grade (steep!) Width: Often narrow Features: Moguls, cliffs, trees, variable snow Skill required: Expert turning, all conditions

Characteristics

Steep pitch May be ungroomed Can include mogul fields May have cliff bands, rocks, trees Challenging terrain features Variable/icy conditions possible

Who Should Ski Blacks

• Completely confident on blues
• Can ski moguls
• Comfortable on steeps
• Can handle ice and variable snow
• Multiple seasons of experience (typically)

The Blue-to-Black Jump

Tips for First Black Runs

1. Scope it out first - Look from the lift or above 2. Start with groomed blacks - Not mogul fields 3. Go with a better skier who can guide you 4. Traverse if needed - Zig-zag to control speed 5. Know it's okay to bail - Hike out if over your head

Example Black Runs

• Vail: Prima, Riva Ridge
• Breckenridge: Devil's Crotch
• Park City: Hoist
• Killington: Outer Limits (mogul)

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Double Black Diamond: Expert Only

What to Expect

Pitch: 40-80%+ (extreme!) Width: Narrow, often cliffy Features: Cliffs, chutes, deep moguls, trees Skill required: Elite-level skiing

Characteristics

⬛⬛ Extremely steep ⬛⬛ Often ungroomed ⬛⬛ May require hike access ⬛⬛ Exposed cliffs or drop-offs ⬛⬛ No room for error ⬛⬛ Experts regularly fall here

Who Should Ski Double Blacks

• Years of experience
• Consistently crushing regular blacks
• Capable in all snow conditions
• Strong mental game
• Often: people who live to ski

Word of Warning

Double blacks are genuinely dangerous. Features may include:

• Mandatory air (must jump)
• Cliff drops
• Tight couloirs
• No-fall zones

If you have to ask if you're ready, you're not.

Example Double Black Runs

• Jackson Hole: Corbet's Couloir
• Telluride: The Plunge
• Snowbird: Great Scott
• Killington: Outer Limits (when icy)

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Terrain Parks (Orange Rectangle)

What to Expect

Parks are rated by size:

Who Should Use Parks

• Start with XS/S parks
• Master regular skiing first
• Learn park etiquette
• Wear helmet (required at most parks)
• Progress slowly—egos cause injuries

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Important: Ratings Vary by Resort!

The Same Color Doesn't Mean the Same Difficulty

A blue at one resort might be a black at another!

Examples

• A blue at Jackson Hole* would be a *black at many Eastern resorts
• A green at Taos* might feel *blue-ish elsewhere
• Steamboat blues are famously mellow

How to Adjust

1. Start easier than usual at new resorts 2. Ask locals or ski patrol about beginner-friendly terrain 3. Look at the trail map pitch indicators 4. Check online reviews of specific runs

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Reading the Trail Map

Trail maps show more than just colors:

Pro Tip

Study the map before you go. Know:

• Where the greens/blues are
• How to get back to base
• Where terrain gets challenging
• Escape routes if you're in over your head

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Progressing Through the Ratings

Typical Timeline

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Find terrain that matches your level at resorts near you!