kingslug
Well-known member
One thing you will notice for sure is the difference in the degree of toughness from western to eastern trails. Not to say that eastern trails aren't tough. Some places like MRG have some of the hardest nastiest trails there are. Out west a green can be difficult for a beginner due to the length of it. Take Big Emma at Snowbird. It's a beginner killer, very long and steeper than they expect. I find that when conditions are icy, a double balck eastern run is a lot harder than some of the doubles out west. I have less fear on a 40 degree slope with good coverage/powder, than an ice sheet less steep. Throw in tight trees and it can be killer. Jackson Hole has double blue runs that are as steep as some double black eastern runs. It pays to know where you're at.