What constitutes challenge? Pitch or Surface

[redalienx11]

for me, conditions totally dictate the difficulty. I think there are some "moderate" trails back east that are MUCH more challenging/scary then some of the supposedly stiff terrain out here in Utah. Throw me on a steep chute with good snow and I'll be fine, but put me on a crowded icy bump run back east and I might pee myself.

 

[ckofer]

I was thinking about the conditions vs steepness issue at Sunday River last weekend. As a rule the more timid will stay toward the center of a steep(er) trail allowing more bail-out room. The center then gets scraped off early. This leaves the fluff on a narrow strip of fluffysnow on the side of the trail. That's where the sweet skiing is found - with the speed control due to good snow that the others wish was in the middle. In other words, the safest route is the least evident to many.

 

[severine]

Definitely conditions. Under the wrong conditions, an otherwise easier trail can become difficult. But the pitch, for the most part, remains standard (every time you go to that trail, you can count on the pitch being relatively the same - and therefore be prepared for the "challenge" inherent to that.... but conditions are constantly changing, and therefore vary the end challenge of skiing the trail).

 

[SIKSKIER]

For me hands down it's other skiers.I'm totally comfortable with my ability to ski about anything short of Scott Schmidt stuff .The surfaces dont move and are pretty predictible unlike some of the skiers on the mountain.I liken it to snowy highway driving.I'm fine with my driving but get nervous with some of the joeys out there around me not paying attention to anything else but them.