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What are double black diamonds?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 13, 2026

Double Black Diamond

These are the most challenging – and dangerous – runs on the mountain. Often found near the top of the ski area, double black diamond runs are steep. They can also be narrow, have trees, have cliffs, or cornices to drop into the run. Only expert skiers should tackle these trails.

What does double black diamond mean?

Double Black Diamonds: What They Mean

These are the most difficult ski slope rating symbols and should be skied by experts only. They may have obstacles like cliffs or trees and conditions may vary.

What is the difference between a black diamond and a double black diamond?

A double black diamond is a more difficult run than a black diamond in the North American system of ski trail ratings. They are “expert terrain”. Ski resorts will name their most difficult runs double or sometimes triple black diamond. Like all other ski slope ratings, it is relative to that mountain.

What makes a double black diamond trail?

Double black diamond

These trails are even more difficult than Black Diamond, due to exceptionally steep slopes and other hazards such as narrow trails, exposure to wind, and the presence of obstacles such as steep drop-offs or trees. They are intended only for the most experienced skiers.

What degree is a double black diamond?

The route starts with a drop-off that requires skiers to first fall 10 to 30 feet before hitting a 60-degree slope that stays between 40 and 60 degrees all the way to the bottom. It's considered a double-black-diamond slope, but is relatively short, at a length of just over 490 feet.

30 related questions found

How hard are double black diamonds?

Double or triple black diamonds: These are the hardest, most challenging runs and should only be attempted by experts. Expect super-steep slopes and demanding hazards such as trees, narrow trails and exposure to wind.

Can I do a double black diamond?

Double Black Diamond

These are the most challenging – and dangerous – runs on the mountain. Often found near the top of the ski area, double black diamond runs are steep. They can also be narrow, have trees, have cliffs, or cornices to drop into the run. Only expert skiers should tackle these trails.

Is there a triple black diamond?

Triple Black Diamond Terrain

This season, Big Sky Ski Patrol has designated certain trails as triple black diamond to increase guest education and awareness of the risks of skiing high alpine, high consequence terrain.

What makes a black diamond black?

Research into the cause of color in black diamonds is relatively recent. Today we know that most naturally colored black diamonds get their color from large quantities or clouds of minute mineral inclusions such as graphite, pyrite or hematite that extend throughout the stone.

Why is it called a bunny slope?

Bunny Hill

Perhaps most likely, the term is used as the hill is occupied mostly by novice children skiers, who use bunny as their preferred term for a rabbit.

What are green ski runs?

What Do Ski Slope Colors Mean? Trail Guide for Beginners

  • Ski slope colors refer to the steepness of the gradient and the level of difficulty. ...
  • Green slopes are wide & shallow beginner runs and have a gradient range of less than 25%.
  • Blue slopes are considered intermediate runs and have a gradient range of 25-40 percent.

How steep is a double black?

Chris Stagg, star ski instructor and resort executive at Taos, N.M., where more than half the runs are black or double-black, says, “I start introducing skiers to the steeps on the middle of Al's Run, where it's just over 30 degrees.” Most serious steep-hounds don't really get interested until the pitch goes over 45 ...

Are black diamonds hard?

Although they're still graded as a 10 on the Mohs scale, black diamonds are known to be even harder than the majority of colorless diamonds. Before black diamonds were used as gems for jewelry, they were used for a variety of different functions because of their durability.

What's a bunny slope?

Definition of bunny slope

: a gentle incline for skiing used especially by novice skiers. — called also bunny hill.

What is a double black?

Smirnoff Ice Double Black Cans are the perfect blend of triple distilled vodka and tangy citrus flavoured soda. Enjoy the refined, complex and smooth flavours of Double Black, pre mixed for your convenience. Pick up a 10 pack - it's perfect for your next party, bbq, or to keep on hand in your fridge at home.

What is the steepest run at Big Sky?

And the steepest of the steep at Big Sky is Lone Peak Mountain, which tops out at 11,166 feet and has been served by the Lone Peak Tram since the 1995-1996 ski season. There are plenty of "no-fall" zones on this mountain, so take a look and plan the death-defying trails you want to ski this season.

What is the steepest ski run in North America?

Rambo – Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte, CO

The Ride: Rambo is said to be the steepest-cut run in North America, up to 55 degrees in pitch. Every time you make a jump turn, you fall vertically about eight feet, according to one skier.

What is the steepest ski trail in the Northeast?

With 2,000 feet of vertical, it's ultra-steep and agonizingly long. The famed White Heat trail at Maine's Sunday River Resort (207-824-3500, ) is dubbed the "longest, steepest, widest, lift-serviced expert trail in the East." Hit the mogul side for a sustained knee-crunching, thigh-burning workout.

How steep is a triple black diamond?

The final of the 'Dictator Chutes,' Castro's 50-degree slope make it a world-class run for those experienced skiers and riders who love the steep and deep.

Are Black Diamonds groomed?

Any given morning, Vail usually opens with at least half a dozen black diamond runs groomed over night. Many of these trails get groomed on a weekly basis, such as Riva Ridge, while others like Roger's Run, are groomed only a few times each season.

How steep is Jackson Hole?

The laid-back 'dirty boots and blue jeans' western vibe of Jackson Hole, Wyo., proves the perfect way to catch your breath after conquering a 35-degree slope. Jackson hole, wyo.

Where is double black diamond?

Don't be intimidated if you're out with your snowboard and come across a double black diamond symbol. This symbol represents the difficulty level of terrain. The double black diamond symbol represents the most challenging and steep hill terrain meant exclusively for expert skiers.

Can a beginner ski a black diamond?

In North America, the easiest ski trails are denoted by a green circle, intermediate trails by a blue square and advanced trails by a black diamond. Most ski areas also offer even more advanced terrain for experts, marked with a double black diamond or E and X for extreme terrain.

What is the steepness of a black diamond?

Black Diamond trails tend to be steep (typically 40% and up) and may or may not be groomed, though the introduction of winch-cats has made the grooming of steep slopes both possible and more frequent. Black diamond, Difficult Amongst the most difficult at a given mountain.