First Look At Big Sky's New 'Double Blue' Trail Rating Signs

With outdoor activities, it often feels like there's a lot of space between beginner and expert. You can spread eagle off a jump in the park, but you wouldn't try to drop a 20-foot natural cliff in the sidecountry. You'll ski 30 degrees, but not 45.

Welcome the solution to those who feel between blues and blacks: the new "double blue" trail rating at Big Sky Resort in Montana.

Double blue is categorized as advanced intermediate.

Officials at Big Sky explain that "the new terrain rating system aims to have each run category be more similar. The increased specificity gives skiers more confidence when making terrain decisions and navigating the mountain."

Fair enough. It's positive for both ends of the learning spectrum (though who are we kidding, the best skiers are always learning!) to have people pick terrain more accurate to how they ski.

Maybe we've had to slow down to accommodate people who should really be on a slightly easier trail, or we've been in the position of making it halfway down a trail, only to realize the last bit is the gnarliest and we'd rather just take an easier way down.

Big Sky writes that "while there’s no perfect solution to accurately represent the terrain Big Sky offers, we recognized a gap in our rating system."

"The inconsistencies started with some of our green runs, such as Safari and El Dorado. Given their steeper headwalls, we realized they would be better represented as intermediate terrain (blue)."

"This created a cascading effect, as some terrain historically rated as a single blue, such as Elk Park Ridge and Ambush, would need a recalibration to double blue/advanced intermediate to reflect their steeper pitch accurately. Additionally, non-groomed, gladed runs such as Congo and White Witch are now rated double blue."

"Approximately 15% of the resort’s terrain is now rated double blue. The new rating system is live on our 23-24 winter trail map, and on-mountain signage is updated for this winter season."

Have you ever tried a trail that didn't match up to its rating? How did it go?

Do you think other resorts will adopt this new-fangled system?

Related: Big Sky Resort

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