How to Prepare for Expert-Only Ski Runs

Expert-only ski trails can involve seriously dangerous terrain—and special skills are often needed to safely tackle them.

If you’ve visited a ski resort before, you’ll know that the hardest runs aren’t just as simple as strapping on a piece of equipment and going. Expert-only terrain, typically denoted by a double-black-diamond marking in North America and most parts of the Southern Hemisphere, is steep, scary, and potentially lethal.

But if you’re able to ski or ride this expert-level terrain, you’ll have conquered the overwhelming majority of what there is to tackle at most ski resorts.

So how does one properly prepare for the hardest runs on the mountain? And are there effective ways to build up your confidence in the meantime? In this article, we’ll go through the fundamental technical skills you should master to hit a double-black diamond, the physical routines you’ll want to get into, and the mental mindset to put you in the best possible headspace. Let’s jump right in and help you unleash your inner terrain boss.

Many ski areas have double black diamond runs, but not all are created equal.

What is a Double Black Diamond Ski Run?

So the first thing we need to answer is: what is an expert-only ski run? Well, double-black-diamond trails somewhat vary in difficulty depending on which ski resort you go to, but they are almost always the most difficult trails on the specific mountain they’re employed. Since ski resorts vary widely in size and terrain, their ratings reflect these differences, and double-black-diamond ratings are not uniform across locations. These runs can range from steep but relatively forgiving slopes at smaller local hills to truly extreme, no-margin-for-error lines at major destination mountains. Double-blacks and other expert-only runs can contain cliffs, moguls, and other obstacles, and pitches that would cause you to tumble uncontrollably with just a single slip up.

Some double black diamond trails have slopes so steep that you won’t stop sliding until the bottom.

Are Double Black Diamond Ratings Uniform Across All Ski Resorts?

So the next question you might be asking is: are double-black-diamond runs universally the hardest terrain ratings at ski resorts, at least in the countries they are used? Well, not exactly.

At a handful of locations, such as Big Sky, Smugglers’ Notch, and Mont Sutton, you may notice trail ratings that go all the way up to the notorious triple-black-diamond rating. In many parts of Colorado, double-black is still the symbol used to mark all expert terrain, but trails that have some especially technical features are denoted by an “EX” symbol within the diamonds, to signify extreme terrain. These runs are among the most difficult in their regions, and at the resorts that use them, these markings denote trails that have even higher-consequence terrain than typical double-blacks; the key difference often lies in the level of exposure, where a slip-up could result in severe injury.

However, not all resorts use markings above double-black, and many of the resorts that top out at the double-black rating have terrain that is just as hard—or even harder—than the triple blacks or extreme terrain trails we just mentioned. In that vein, this video will touch on the techniques that you’ll need to handle terrain not just at the double-black level, but at any specialty rating that might be in-bounds at a ski resort.

Double-black runs at regional resorts such as Windham Mountain Club (shown above) are often much easier than the highly-technical double-black runs at big destination resorts.

Technical Skills

So now that you know what constitutes a double black diamond and what it entails, what about tackling the runs themselves? You might be asking: “What specific techniques do I need to know?”

Side Slipping

Short of getting a personalized lesson, the first alpine skill you’ll need to know to hit the double-blacks is how to side slip down the mountain. This is not a pretty way to get down, and it’s not by any stretch of the imagination the technically optimal way to complete a ski run. But knowing how to side slip is critical for when you find yourself in a situation where you just want to get down safely and are not comfortable skiing or riding in any other way.

To complete a side slip while skiing, position your skis horizontally across the hill. Release your edges softly to start slipping sideways and re-engage them to stop. Practicing these side slips on less steep terrain is a great and effective way to practice.

For snowboarders, side slipping is even simpler, with options to side slip down on either your heel or toe side. To do a heel or toe slide, make your board horizontal to the mountain and disengage and re-engage your edge to stop or slide. Lean back to do a heel slide, and lean forward to do a toe slide.

When all else fails, mastering this basic technique can help you navigate safely down nearly any run.

Side slipping isn’t the prettiest way to get down a mountain, but it can be critical for getting down the hill safely when things go sideways.

Hockey Stops and Advanced Turning

Similar to slide slipping, hockey stops and advanced turning rely on how much pressure you put on your outside edge. To complete a hockey stop on skis, suddenly turn sideways and engage your edges while stomping on your outside ski. If you’re a snowboarder, you’ll probably already know how to do both heel and toe edge stops if you get to this level, but they’re still important nonetheless. No matter whether you ski or snowboard, the more pressure you put, the faster you will stop. If you have the space, another way to slow down is by making bigger and more horizontal turns on your way down, rather than focusing on stopping altogether. 

Weight Positioning

As one becomes a more advanced skier, one needs to pay attention to their weight positioning when skiing. If someone leans too far forward or too far back, it can make turning difficult. A good rule of thumb is keep your feet under you with some of your weight forward so that your shin is comfortably pressed up against the tongue of the boot.

Weight positioning for snowboarders is a bit different than skiing when it comes to steep terrain. When riding on a hardpack or a steep groomer, your weight should be a little forward and have a solid edge control on both your toes and heels. If you are in powdered terrain, you’ll want to slightly lean on your back foot. This will make it easier to turn through the snow while maintaining a balanced position over your board. When going down, turn down the mountain with skinnier s-turns to maintain speed throughout the run.

Another crucial skill to have when you're tackling expert terrain on a snowboard: knowing how to ride switch, or in a reversed stance. On top of being a fundamental skill to allow you flexibility on any slope, it specifically gives you more turning opportunities and can really get you out of tight spaces when it comes to the hardest slopes.

For snowboarders, sideslipping is an easier skill to master, but other skills such as riding switch foot can be harder to learn.

Skills Specific to Certain Terrain Types

Mogul Runs

Almost at every ski resort, you will encounter expert runs that have moguls. Depending on the inclination of the slope, or the size of the moguls, they can bring different challenges. These sections of bumps can last for thousands of feet.

There are multiple ways to ski moguls. When starting out, the most common way is to avoid bumps themselves and follow the mini gullies formed in between them. To control your speed, you can break on top of them and then turn. This is a good strategy for larger moguls that you don’t want to go over.

For medium to smaller-sized moguls, you can absorb the bumps in your knees and go directly over them. The most advanced mogul skiers often use both techniques when going down a line.

If you're able to switch between techniques on the fly, then you should be in good shape for double-black-diamond mogul runs.

Tree runs, such as through these beautiful aspens, are higher consequence than mogul runs, as missteps can send you headfirst into an immovable tree trunk.

Tree Skiing

Understanding the fundamentals of mogul terrain is also important to another common expert-level challenge: tree skiing. On steep glade terrain, bumps will often form within the woods—but unlike an open terrain area, the bumps will have rock-solid trees in the middle of them. This makes having the ability to pick out and control your line incredibly important.

You’ll want to look for natural gaps between trees, escape routes—or areas to slow down—and obstacles like cliffs, stumps, or fallen branches. Once you’ve scouted everything out from above, you’ll want to pick a line that balances speed and control.

Especially if you’re unfamiliar with this type of terrain, you're going to want to look for a line that zigzags across the slope rather than shooting straight down.

Mandatory Cliffs

There are a few types of specialized expert-level trails that we want to highlight specific types of technical skills for.

Mandatory cliffs present a significant challenge and are commonly found at certain major resorts in the West. These runs are often narrow, with minimal room for error. The height of the drop and the approach can greatly impact the difficulty and the outcome.

To prepare, one option might be to practice smaller jumps in terrain parks, with a specific focus on improving your landing technique. On runs where mandatory air is required, spotting your landing early and using your legs to absorb the impact effectively is a critical skill.

On some trails, you may need to send some cliffs to make it down!

Mandatory Straightlining

If you’re feeling especially crazy, some ski resorts have trails that are so high consequence that the only way to go down them is to just send them straight without turning. These straightlines can be very scary to attempt. and some can lead into cliffs or trees if you're not careful.

When tackling runs like this, the most important part is to stay forward in an athletic stance. At higher speeds, skis and snowboards can become unstable, so knowing how to control your speed and stop is critical. While this is near impossible within the straightline itself, you can control your speeds by turning or slipping immediately after it ends.

While runs like this can be scary, the most important factor in straight-lining is full-on commitment. Hesitating or second-guessing midway can lead to mistakes and increase the risk you do something stupid. Do not even attempt this type of run unless you are supremely confident you can handle it.

Jump turns are incredibly helpful when trying to navigate down narrow slopes, though they can wear you out.

Jump Turns

On the toughest expert-level terrain, it’s also a major plus to know how to do a jump turn if you’re a skier. Jump turns are a skiing technique that involves coming to a near-stop, leaping into the air, and rotating your skis to land facing in a new direction, usually 90 to 180 degrees from your starting orientation. Jump turns allow skiers to navigate narrow features, such as rocks, drop-ins, or tight couloirs, with the highest-possible precision. While incredibly physically demanding from a raw strength perspective, jump turns can be more energy efficient than other carving techniques, provided the correct physical fitness, and can allow skiers to maintain a reasonable speed on the most extreme features.

Maintaining physical fitness is crucial for skiing expert terrain.

Physical Preparation

Speaking of physical fitness, being in the right shape is crucial to effectively skiing or riding a double-black diamond. Now, you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to conquer the mountain, but a baseline level of fitness and physical stamina will do wonders towards making that a reality—even if this conditioning happens well off the ski slopes. If you’ve prepared effectively during the off-season, you could find yourself a much more accomplished skier or rider the next season you set foot on the slopes.

No matter which resort you go to, double-black trails will reliably involve at least somewhat technically-challenging terrain that requires both lower body and core strength. So what specific exercises should you do to prepare for these?

Stability Exercises

Key exercises to build strength and stability in your turns include:

• Squats: These help your base position and the power of your turns.

• Bulgarian split squats: These train both legs, and can help ensure they are individually strong enough to handle the slopes.

• Lunges: These will build up your legs individually to help with power production.

• Planks: These will build stability in the core so your body moves as one unit, helping you make sharper turns.

• Step-ups: These are amazing for the upper legs, preparing you for intense alpine movements that involve both balance and strength, such as hiking, mogul endurance runs, and jump turns.

One easy workout you can create out of these exercises is three sets for each movement where you complete the maximum amount of reps per exercise. This may look like ten squats, fifteen lunges, and a one-minute plank. What’s great about these exercises is that they can be completed with only your body weight—meaning you don’t need a gym membership or any workout equipment. If you are more advanced you can think of adding weights to your exercises and lowering your rep range to have a larger emphasis on strength rather than the cardiovascular system. 

For some additional gym exercises, you may want to try using:

• Hip abductor machine: When using this, focus on the outside of your hips to help your hips turn.

• Leg press: Which focuses on leg development and power production.

• Deadlifts: Which help create a bullet proof lower back and legs.

For these, we recommend three sets per movement with the goal of getting more than eight reps. These exercises are not quite as vital as squats, lunges, and planks—and they have a higher barrier to entry due to the added weight—but they can be a good addition to the circuit if you’re able to handle a bit of load resistance.

The eight exercises we just discussed focus on lower body and torso strength—the two most important muscle regions when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. It is most likely everyone watching this is at different stages in their physical journey—and that is okay, as skiing and riding do not completely discriminate. But being in good shape will only make it easier to physically complete the hardest runs and get used to the technique.

Cardio Exercises

Because many double-blacks are long and filled with draining obstacles such as moguls, powder, and cliffs, it is important to stay in good cardiovascular shape if you want to have a good time. Some expert-only trails can stretch for hundreds or even thousands of vertical feet, requiring countless turns to manage speed, navigate obstacles, or simply stay in control. Skiing through powder or heavy snow can be particularly exhausting, so staying in shape will help you tackle these runs with confidence and endurance.

The following types of cardio exercises will get you into the best possible shape for endurance-draining double-black-diamond runs: 

• Bicycling

• Running

• Endurance machines (rowing, elliptical, etc.)

• Hiking

• Swimming

In fact, skiing or snowboarding on a regular cadence can be a great cardio exercise in and of itself!

Any exercise that raises your heartbeat for a sustained period will help aid your physical cognition for the winter season. Staying healthy will only make it easier and more fun to ski or ride in general.

Improved flexibility will not only help you be more resilient to injury, but can help you turn around on skis, as seen here.

Flexibility Exercises and Stretches

Good coordination, balance, and flexibility are all traits that a skier or rider will greatly benefit from when tackling the hardest ski slopes. Here are a few ways one can improve their balance and coordination:

• Stabilizing on a medicine ball

• Reaction time drills

• Walking a tightrope

Flexibility is key to reducing the risk of injury, and incorporating regular stretching—especially in the weeks and days leading up to skiing or riding challenging terrain—can make you less prone to injuries.

Active vs. Passive Stretching

There are two main types of stretching: active and passive.

• Active stretching involves movement and is ideal for warming up. It not only loosens your muscles but also increases blood flow, helping your body feel less tense and more prepared for physical activity. These stretches are best done before a workout or just before hitting the slopes.

• Passive stretching does not involve heavy movement. These stretches focus on targeting specific muscle groups and improving flexibility over time. This type of stretching is most effective after a workout or before bed.

As a general guideline, use active stretching to warm up before exercise and passive stretching to cool down afterward.

Remember, you might find some stretches easier than others. If that’s the case, prioritize working on the ones you find more challenging. Overcoming these will leave you with a stronger, more balanced body for the slopes—and a better mindset to tackle the terrain ahead.

Mental Readiness

But even if you have the technical skills and physical preparation to tackle double-black-diamond terrain, your mind can be your biggest enemy when you are stuck on a challenging slope. The steepness of the slope can make you lose your composure and fundamentals. You might begin to lean back or feel like you can’t turn. All of these problems stem from your mindset.

The first thing is that you have to understand that you are taking a risk. If you are not prepared, it is not smart to jeopardize your well-being.

Being relaxed and confident in your abilities are crucial to skiing or riding a double black diamond terrain successfully. If you are fundamentally skilled, you have to feel prepared to take the next step in skiing or riding steep terrain. We recommend warming up on easier black or blue runs to get a good feel for your skis or snowboard—and then go for the double black. This is especially key if you are on rental or demo equipment that you are not familiar with.

Skiing or riding with others is not only safer—as someone can go get help if it’s needed—but it can also push you to try experiences that may be out of your comfort zone.

A crucial way to ensure mental success on expert-level terrain: don’t go alone. Exploring technical ski runs with people more experienced than you can not only make you feel safer, but you can also learn from them. You can always ask how to pick a line or what the right entry is.

If you want to push yourself to the next level in the safest possible way, consider hiring an instructor or guide to go with you (rather than going with a cliff-happy friend). Not only will skiing or riding with a professional make you feel more comfortable, but it will also push you to try things and runs you wouldn’t do by yourself.

But perhaps the most important fundamental for your mental readiness is experience. The best way to get more confident at something is practice, and skiing and snowboarding are no exception. If you're lucky enough to have multiple days of skiing or riding this year, try to progress throughout the ski season by starting off with blues if needed, then building up to blacks—and finally, hitting up double-black terrain. This experience can come especially naturally if you achieve your progression on one specific mountain where you are familiar with the trail rating calibrations.

The more you practice picking out lines, the better you’ll get at doing it, and the better sense you’ll have of what each potential downhill path will bring from a technical perspective.

Safety Precautions

No matter how confident or skilled one is on skis or a snowboard, there is always an inherent risk to the terrain that comes with a double-black-diamond designation. If you are not in control or somewhat cautious when on these runs, it’s possible to get seriously hurt or even face fatal consequences. While they try their best, ski patrol can leave many obstacles unmarked; there can be unmarked roots, rocks, ice patches, as well as cliffs that can cause an accident to occur.

Obstacles, such as trees, rocks, roots, and ice, make double black trails especially dangerous.

One of the most common injuries in winter sports is hitting a tree. When it comes to gladed runs, trees can be packed closely together, making it crucial to choose your line with careful precision. Remember, tree trails offer limited room for maneuvering without colliding into a static obstacle, unlike the more forgiving open runs. People hit trees inadvertently because they wish to slow down and lose control when attempting their stop. Trees are hard, they’re pointy, they hurt, so don’t run into them. If it is your first time skiing or riding this type of terrain, do not straightline gladed regions and be sure to take them slow.

Before you hit the slopes, prepare for the worst and make plans. Since you can get lost or hurt, we recommend you have ski patrol’s number. It’s also not a bad idea to bring water and food, as you don’t know how long you are going to be on the run.

Your gear also depends on the day and its conditions. If you are planning for a powder day, you should have thicker and lighter skies to help you stay on top of the snow. If you're on skis, you should make sure your bindings match your skill level so you're able to pop out of them before suffering an injury. At certain resorts, you may need avalanche gear to access the toughest terrain.

Finally, if you haven't done so recently, you might want to tune your skis or board the day before you hit the double-blacks to ensure your equipment is in the best possible shape.

Even if you’re not attempting perilous ski runs, it’s important to know Ski Patrol’s number in case one of your group members needs their professional help.

In addition to the mental readiness aspect of doing so, skiing or riding with a friend or partner is just as essential from a safety perspective. At most ski resorts, double-black diamonds are found in the most secluded regions of the mountains. If you get lost or hurt, it may be hard to find you. People have fallen in tree-wells, crevasses, and off cliffs—so to put it lightly, it would be nice knowing that someone is with you to help. If something does happen and you’re in sight of your partner, there's a greater chance you can be saved if push comes to shove.

Finally, if you believe you can’t physically complete the run, do not do it. If you get stuck, you’ll cause problems for others trying to ski the run, ski patrol, and yourself. While ski patrol are trained for rescues, it is not the easiest job to sled someone down double-black-diamond terrain, it can take a long period of time, and it can be quite uncomfortable for you.

Final Checks the Day Of

Okay, so expert-level terrain involves quite the challenge—even on the nicest of ski days. But it’s important to note that especially when tackling double-black-diamond trails, not all ski days are created equal. Choosing the right day can make or break your expert-level terrain experience.

Start by checking out snow and trail reports. If the trail report indicates icy or variable conditions, you might want to hold off until a day with more reliable snow cover.

The time of day and season can also affect conditions. Firmer snow in the morning will soften under the sun, so you might want to aim for sunlit areas early on. In addition, if it hasn't snowed in a week or two, you might want to hold off until you can guarantee good snow.

Throughout the season, and even day to day, ski runs will ski and ride incredibly differently due to snow conditions, snow depth, and how trafficked the run is.

The popularity of the run can drastically change the terrain as well. High-traffic trails may become skied off and mogulled out by the afternoon, so timing is key. Hitting the run early or after fresh snowfall can make for a much smoother ride.

Before heading out, take a moment to check your gear. You’ll want to ensure your boots, bindings, and skis or board are all in proper working order. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to stop by a shop—it’s worth spending 20 extra minutes for the peace of mind that your equipment is dialed in and you’re as safe as possible.

Final Thoughts

So while double-black-diamond ski trails may seem daunting at a first glance, it turns out that with the right physical preparation, technical skill set, and mental readiness, these trails aren’t as out of reach as they seem. No—working your way up to these types of runs is not going to be easy—but by preparing thoroughly and approaching double black diamond runs with respect and caution, you can enjoy the challenge and thrill they offer while staying safe.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get ready to dive into double-black diamond terrain!

Need help selecting a resort where you can find plenty of expert terrain? Check out the best destinations for expert skiers and riders here or at the video below. When you get back, let us know in the comments below how it went! And, as always, we also invite our experienced readers to offer additional tips that we may missed.