Skiing can be an invigorating and challenging sport that requires stamina and strength. A skilled skier not only battles weather conditions, but also terrain and speed. Four types of color-coded slopes for skiers of different levels can be found at most ski resorts. They include the beginning skier, who can be found on the bunny trails, the novice skier on the green trails, the intermediate skier on the blue trails and the most advanced skiers on the black trails.
Bunny Trail
This beginner trail offers only a slight incline and is designed for new skiers. This slope offers a great location to learn techniques and skill so that new skiers can advance to the next level. According to Ski.com, many beginning skiers will snowplow, or perform a pizza, down the mountain. This allows new skiers to get used to gliding on their skis. Beginners will often perform wide turns down the mountain as well; as their skill increases so will the number of turns. Some common techniques that beginners may learn include how to side step, ride the ski lift, and perform controlled turns.
Green Trail
These trails are a step up from the bunny slopes. Many of the green trails are shorter for beginning skiers and are typically wide with few bumps or steep areas. They allow a beginning skier to perfect their form before advancing to the next trail. The novice skier begins to gain fundamental turning and control patterns as well as performing varying turns and stops, according to the Special Olympics.
Blue Trail
This intermediate trail caters to those skiers that have better form, but are not prepared for the toughest slopes. Often times, these slopes will have ego bumps, according to Ski.com. Ego bumps consist of spaced moguls that were designed specifically for intermediate skiers, because the bumps are fewer and far between. These slopes are steeper in some areas as well. More advanced blue slopes contain moguls, which are bumps that require you to maneuver your skis. To accomplish a blue slope, a skier should be experienced. According to the Special Olympics, an intermediate skier is able to perform parallel turns on a blue trail, and can adapt to the slope and terrain easily.
Black Trail
The most difficult trail, black diamonds are designed for experts. These runs often start at the very top of the mountains due to their difficulty and steepness. Only the most advanced skiers should tackle black slopes, cites Beginner's Guide. The Special Olympics cites that the advanced skier can do multiple, advanced parallel turns and can focus on increasing and decreasing his speed according to the terrain and condition of the slopes.
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