Are you an expert skier?

[Smellytele]

I would never put a rating level on myself.I like letting others do it.

Exactly

 

[makimono]

Advanced Expert

 

[dmc]

I'll answer that when I'm staring down a huge 40 degree face in the AK someday

 

[KevinF]

I'll answer that when I'm staring down a huge 40 degree face in the AK someday

Heck, you don't have to go to Alaska to stare down a 40 degree face. Just hike up Tuckerman in the Spring. :-o

 

[KevinF]

Okay, how about this:

Beginner in deep soft powder.
Expert on the corduroy and groomers (duh, who isn't)
Expert in death cookies
Expert in boiler plate
Advanced on icy terrain
Intermediate on bumps
Beginner in trees

And of course, expert in lift riding, including T-bars.

It depends what the qualifications are to be considered an "expert" on the groomers. Are we talking getting down it? Yeah, any decent skier can get down just about any groomed slope.

But even here there's a spectrum. Really good skiers can get a "pop" out of a turn that's simply amazing. At the Nashoba race league that I belong to, the top couple guys (and gals...) are carrying an amazing amount of energy out of a turn. And not all of them have had extensive race training -- some are just really, really good skiers.

That ability to really work a ski and harness the energy and just "pop" from turn to turn -- that's what I call "expert" on groomers, and it's a rare thing to see. Others will have different definitions, and that's fine.

 

[gmcunni]

i am a skier

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm no Dan Egan.

 

[gmcunni]

:-D

 

[Cheese]

Lots of good insight in here so thank you all.

After some further thought on the matter I considered "Experts Only" signs at resorts. I've never seen one at the top of a race course, mogul field, terrain park or scattered throughout on a powder day. I've seen them at entrances to glades, thin covered trails and even at the base of a chair after a rain and freeze event. So, maybe expert just means crazy enough to try it.

 

[Smellytele]

Lots of good insight in here so thank you all.

After some further thought on the matter I considered "Experts Only" signs at resorts. I've never seen one at the top of a race course, mogul field, terrain park or scattered throughout on a powder day. I've seen them at entrances to glades, thin covered trails and even at the base of a chair after a rain and freeze event. So, maybe expert just means crazy enough to try it.

I have seen them on mogul runs in the east (pats peak) and the west (squaw)

 

[BrooklynSkier]

First time poster here- and I am glad this thread got started, I have been lurking around the board for a couple of days (getting stoked for my first trip to Stowe next week). Was not sure what the average skill level is on the boards, I partially assumed most of the people were "experts" but I am getting the sense that you guys (and gals) are probably in the same boat as me. I'm a strong skier, but I def don't look great coming down the mountain. I am really into tree skiing above all else, but some of the real steep stuff makes me cringe as I am cautious with speed and losing control, catching an edge, etc (past injuries). On the same token- I know quite a few skiers stronger than me on a typical black or double black, but they would never go into a glade. Then when you need to consider proficiency in the terrain parks----there are just too many variables to be able to deem someone an expert skier.

 

[KevinF]

Lots of good insight in here so thank you all.

After some further thought on the matter I considered "Experts Only" signs at resorts. I've never seen one at the top of a race course, mogul field, terrain park or scattered throughout on a powder day. I've seen them at entrances to glades, thin covered trails and even at the base of a chair after a rain and freeze event. So, maybe expert just means crazy enough to try it.

I've definitely seen the "experts only" sign on the entrance to various traverses, bump runs, bowls, etc. out in Aspen.

 

[billski]

My favorite trail sign (somewhere in the northeast) is "Expert? You'd better be."

Out west, my favorite sign is a little orange circle with the word "Cliff"

 

[KevinF]

My favorite trail sign (somewhere in the northeast) is "Expert? You'd better be."

Out west, my favorite sign is a little orange circle with the word "Cliff"

At the top of the tram at Big Sky there's a little door you have to push through to actually get outside. The sign on the door says "If you have to think about it, don't even think about it".

All the terrain off the top of Big Sky ranges between :-o:-o:-o and "somebody actually skied that?"

 

[snowmonster]

Favorite sign out west is THIN COVER. Most of the time that means that there may be an exposed rock that's clearly visible and avoidable. You don't know thin cover until you've skied MRG during a bad January thaw!

First time poster here- and I am glad this thread got started, I have been lurking around the board for a couple of days (getting stoked for my first trip to Stowe next week). Was not sure what the average skill level is on the boards, I partially assumed most of the people were "experts" but I am getting the sense that you guys (and gals) are probably in the same boat as me. I'm a strong skier, but I def don't look great coming down the mountain. I am really into tree skiing above all else, but some of the real steep stuff makes me cringe as I am cautious with speed and losing control, catching an edge, etc (past injuries). On the same token- I know quite a few skiers stronger than me on a typical black or double black, but they would never go into a glade. Then when you need to consider proficiency in the terrain parks----there are just too many variables to be able to deem someone an expert skier.

Welcome to the boards and have fun at Stowe. You'll love it. We'll be waiting for your trip report.

Lots of skiers of all abilities here. Don't let their humility fool you. Some of the posters here are full-fledged experts. I've seen some of them on the hill and they can ski anything with ease.

 

[deadheadskier]

My favorite trail sign (somewhere in the northeast) is "Expert? You'd better be."

Out west, my favorite sign is a little orange circle with the word "Cliff"

Black Mountain, NH has a sign that is a little yellow rectangle with the word "Cliff"; you should check it out billski.

 

[dmc]

Heck, you don't have to go to Alaska to stare down a 40 degree face. Just hike up Tuckerman in the Spring. :-o

true...

I skied - teled - snowboarded Tucks many many many times... WInter and Spring..

Think Headwall/Dodges at it's steepest for a mile... With a 20 foot cornice...

 

[abc]

Out west, my favorite sign is a little orange circle with the word "Cliff"

LOL!

Almost missed one such sign at Kirkwood. Was mighty glad I caught sight of it before dropping in... especially considering the stuff I stumbled upon even WITHOUT that sign!:-o

 

[mister moose]

An expert is anyone all the advanced skiers watch come down the hill and try to emulate.

 

[kingslug]

At the top of the tram at Big Sky there's a little door you have to push through to actually get outside. The sign on the door says "If you have to think about it, don't even think about it".

All the terrain off the top of Big Sky ranges between :-o:-o:-o and "somebody actually skied that?"

Had lots of fun up there last year but sadly didn't get to hit the Big Couloir..too socked in..but that is pretty steep stuff up there and you better be at least an advanced to hit it.