If you are an experienced skier or snowboarder, you certainly know what a black diamond trail is. But let’s briefly explain it to those who don’t know.

When you are a beginner at skiing or snowboarding, you go first on the green and blue slopes. Only when you master them, then you go to the next challenge, that is, you advance to a higher level. And the biggest challenge of all for skiers is the ski slope called black diamond.

North American Slope Levels

The North American scheme of slope levels employs a green circle, blue square, and black diamonds to reveal the hardship of a special run. Let’s take a closer look at each of these down below!

#1 Green Circle

These are the most effortless runs you will see on the peak. Notably, the grade on a green run is shorter than 25%. Skiers who are now learning to ski will desire to adhere to this level until they are satisfied turning – and particularly stopping.

Green runs are usually wide and groomed, with tons of beginner skiers slowly working their path down the hill.

You do require knowing how to load and unload from a chairlift to get to these runs. You should be capable to utilize the wedge strategy to restrict your turns.

These newbie runs are often located near the base of the peak. Most skiers who can link turns jointly want to move up to more challenging runs fast, so they can pick up more momentum.

#2 Blue Square

Runs set with a blue square are medium runs. They include slopes varying between 25-40%.

Blue runs are usually groomed and are typically the most active runs on the peak. Skiers should be able to run parallel turns and be capable to stop quickly and readily. The more vertical grade here can lead to improved speeds, so you will want to be satisfied going faster.

Many medium runs are ungroomed, too, which can be challenging to newbie skiers who have not experienced this terrain before. It is not only beginners and medium skiers on blue squares. Skilled skiers can also be seen here. These skiers may be polishing their high-speed turns or using the run to access more refined trails.

#3 Black Diamond

Black diamond runs are created for pro skiers. These runs will have a slope of 40% or higher. One reason for medium skiers to be cautious on these runs is the interpretation of black diamonds. 

Some runs in this gradient level are slightly above medium runs. Yet, others can be frightening for those not prepared. As long as you can ski any blue run on the peak, you should be fine with most black diamond runs.

Parallel turns are a must, and skiers should be satisfied with any chairlift structure. Black diamond runs are largely ungroomed, can be slim, and may include barons or trees. Skiers in this class should be ready for varying landscapes and situations.

Tip: It is unavoidable that skis are not immune to rusting. It is highly desirable to keep them properly!

#4 Double Black Diamond

The most elevated pitch level of many North American ski resorts is the double Black Diamond. These are the most difficult – and unsafe – runs on the peak.

Usually located near the top of the ski area, double Black Diamond runs are vertical. They can even be slim, have trees, and cliffs, or have cornices to plunge into the run.

Exclusively professional skiers should attack these trails. You can anticipate rapidly varying snow conditions, barriers, and the need for prompt responses and judgments.

Plunging quickly down a slim rock-lined chute will demand technical prowess, angling mastery, and well-prepared lines. Before skiers try a double Black Diamond, they should feel entirely relaxed on single Black Diamond runs.

They need to be mentally trained for runs at the top of the peak, as well: high winds, inadequate visibility, and incomplete drop-ins are part of the agreement here.

Note: Let’s talk about skateboarding for a minute! Is it true that skateboarding burns calories? Just 1 hour of skateboarding can actually burn from 300 to 500 calories.

What Is a Black Diamond Ski Run?

All ski resorts use special colors to categorize the slopes in their ski area – green indicates the easiest slopes, blue indicates medium and black, and double black represents the most challenging slopes.

Because a standardized rating system doesn’t exist, certain illogical things can happen. For example, some blue slopes may be equal to some black trails at different resorts.

Tip: Did you know that ski and snowboard boots will not be as comfy for walking as basic street footwear?

What Makes a Ski Run a Black Diamond?

The black diamond trail is the steepest and thus the most dangerous trail in the ski area. It is usually narrower than other surrounding slopes. Also, it may have more obstacles, such as trees, cliffs, and rocky areas, along the entire trail.

Those black and double black slopes, for all the above reasons, are not suitable for beginners in skiing and snowboarding.

At some ski resorts, there are also double-black-diamond runs, which are the most challenging. They are very risky for anyone but extremely advanced and self-confident skiers.

How Hard Is a Black Diamond Ski Run?

You are certainly wondering how hard a Black Diamond run really is. Surely, it is one of the most challenging slopes on a peak.

Typically, Black Diamond pathways are vertical (40% and up) and they just might be groomed. Or this could not be the case at all.

Tip: What is so important to know about snowboarding gear essentials? There are many things that you need.

The Most Difficult Black-Diamond Ski Slopes

Let’s take a look at some of the most difficult black diamond ski slopes in the world. Stay tuned for more!

#1 Black-Diamond Trail in Mayrhofen, Austria – “Harakiri” 

The name itself is a bit scary, as “Harakiri” means “ritual suicide” in Japanese. It is the steepest slope of the black diamond in the country of Austria, with an inclination of 78 percent.

The trail is so steep and fast that if you happen to fall, you won’t be able to stop before you reach the very bottom. Be mindful of this at all times! 

Tip: So, can you really use a hiking pole as a ski pole, and is it possible to use them if they are long enough?

#2 “Corbet’s Couloir” in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This is also America’s scariest ski slope. At the very beginning of the trail, you will be facing horror. The descent begins with a drop of 10 to 30 feet before you hit a 60-degree slope that stays that steep to the bottom.

This route is a double-black diamond slope, by all means. It’s dangerous, but fortunately, it’s relatively short, just over 490 feet long.

#3 “The Streif” at Hahnenkamm in Kitzbühel, Austria

The ski resort, Hahnenkamm, is well known as a host of World Cup alpine ski races regularly. The most popular hill here is the Streif. It’s a 5,462-foot downhill course where skiers reach tremendous speeds.

Note that the end of the run can be quite scary, as it requires skiers to make a risky jump that can take you far away from the trail.

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#4 “Delirium Dive,” at Sunshine Village in Canada

This trail is reserved for experts only. Delirium Dive in Alberta, in addition to being marked as a double black diamond, is also prone to avalanches. Only experienced skiers with proper equipment like avalanche transceivers, shovels, and collapsible avalanche probes can ski here.

The terrain is rough and the conditions are constantly changing, so no one can ski here alone. The hill itself has a fairly steady slope of about 50 degrees but it requires, in the beginning, a risky jump down to a narrow chute.

Fact: Is it true that snow boots and snowboard boots are the same? Truly, not so much, as snowboard boots are weighty and not so fit for walking.

#5 “Christmas Chute” in Girdwood, Alaska

This trail is located at Alyeska Resort just outside of Anchorage. It is an extremely steep trail that becomes very narrow in some parts. It is intended only for experienced skiers or experts.

The trail sits at 2,800 feet and runs 1,000 feet at about a 50-degree angle, lined with rocks on both sides.

#6 “Grand Couloir” in Courchevel, France

This trail is very challenging in so many ways. Here it is harder and more exciting to climb to the top than to descend. You have to carefully navigate one step at a time, across an icy, narrow ridge of 656 feet. 

The starting point is at nearly 9,000 feet. When you get there, you have to slide down from an incredibly steep chute before heading through a series of moguls. This path has a slight slope of 35 degrees, but if the snow is frozen, it can be quite terrifying.

So, can a beginner ski a Black Diamond? Perhaps, practice first! What do you think, are you ready to ski black diamonds? Whatever you choose, always make your safety and the safety of others your priority!