Trail Steepness

[LivingProof]

There was a recent discussion regarding steepness of trails that got a little off track and I went looking for some objective measures of steepness. I found a site where the owner used high resolution Google Earth to determine the length and drop of many steeper ski runs in the east. The  below link takes you to an analysis page for 3 runs and the graphs show that pitch changes many times over the course of a run ( no surprise here ). Poke around the site by state for your favorite area in the east. I did a link to a Harb run in A-basin showing him upper Palli which is reported to be around 40 degrees.

http://ski-degrees.synthasite.com/trail-analysis.php

A quick summary. The east has very few pitches in the steepest runs where short sections equal 40 degrees. Big reputation steep runs approach 35-37 degrees in spots. Between 30 and 35 degrees seems to define the pitch of our toughest trails on a routine basis. High 20's is still expert.
 
So, that's what the data states. I learned something, hopefully, we all get some insights from this. Not doing this to discredit anyone. Anybody who leaves RR tracks on any of these runs is a far better skier than I. The Mike challenge is still out there, find a steep pitch and post pics of your tracks. See what it tells you.

One other quick thought. Last week in Jackson Hole, when the Powder came out Saturday, so did the local Pow skiers. I've never seen such high quality skiiing in my life. Riding a chair and looking down, I'd just go WOW. Live, real time ski **** at JH. Standing in the Thunder Lift line, there is a steep ridge right above it. The people in the lift were hoopin and hollorin as superb skiers just ripped the tough lines.

[Ron]

Thanks Mike!  This is awesome and very informative. I only saw EC resorts. how did you find the A-Basin stats?

[Perry]

This is interesting to me since I haven't worried much about what the incline of slopes I've skied actually is.  I checked the steepest slope near me and it is Whoopdedoo at Sugar mountain.  I would have way over estimated it's steepness based on the eyeball (or pucker) factor.  In fact, I found a post from someone from Wash DC who guesstimated it at 60.  It is actually 33-35% according to someone with an incline meter placed on a ski pole. 

What I know is that you can't see the slope until your ski tips are starting to poke over the edge.  Being in the Southeast, with our warm days and cold nights, it is also often nice and glassy.  I don't go on it when it is icy but given my new skills from CSM, I was thinking about skiing it now to see how it compares to previous memory.

Perry

[Ron]

Perry, as long as the snow is soft, just make nice controlled turns and try not to stop on very steep terrain as in; don't let the turns stop, you can be moving at a crawl but try not to stop the movement/momentum.  Don't let the tips go past horizontal and uphill, very bad. pole plants need to be underfoot/binding but you have to reach further down as you flex (bend) your legs and move towards the new turn ( if you don't reach down, you will over-ski your pole due to the distance your body falls- it won't be fun), of course, you have to keep your body facing and moving down the fall line. As you come through the turn extend your legs and as you make contact with the snow, set your edges and move right into the next turn with your pole plant and body. Try that even on moderately steep stuff.

[ToddW]

? I don't go on it when it is icy but given my new skills from CSM, I was thinking about skiing it now to see how it compares to previous memory.

That sounds like an interesting comparison to make while both the CSM training and your past experience are fresh in your memory.  Let us know how it works out.  (To keep the comparison even, you'll probably want to use the same skis you used last season rather than any new playtoys. )

[Perry]

Todd,
Don't have any new playtoys this year.  Just new goggles

[LivingProof]

Perry,
Is this storm dumping there. With all the problems it brings to the south, the southern ski areas should be good for a little while.

All Pa. skiers share the thaw/refreeze issue. My knees still hurt from skiing on Wednesday at Blue. The one bump run was boiler plate glare bumpy crap. It laughed at my edges. Instant death. A personal opinion is that ice reduces very good skiers to weak intermediates. I'm taking a racing clinic there and one person in the group is clearly a better skier. As the course gets skied off and very icy, he can still hold a good line.

Go for it with the CSM, but do it on a softer day. 30 plus degrees is expert terrain.

[Perry]

So is Big Boulder still up and  running in the Poconos.  I grew up in Jenkintown, just north of Philly.  Skied very little there growing up on the straight skis.  Had the very 1st beer that tasted good to me after a day of skiing there. (I think I was in 8th grade  ). My friends father was German and culturally it was just part of the event for all included.  Piel's wide mouth.

Actually for the icy terrain, I think that the Harb method is the way to go, it is just that the CSM has really helped my speed control and woken up my inside foot.  If it looks real icy, I will probably avoid it.  A tweaked knee can really slow me down in the clinic.

We did get 6 inches here and in the mountains they undoubtedly got more.  I am not going to get a chance to play.  I had other plans and was too slow with the trigger to change them.  I just hate it that Gary is going to get lake effect!!!!!!!!