How long does it take ski blue runs?

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Bob J asked:

I am going on a ski trip with my school at the end of January to the beginning of February and it’s my first time skiing. I am very athletic and a very fast learner. On the first day we are doing 4 hours of ski lessons followed by 2 hours of skiing on our own. The next day we are doing 6 hours of skiing on our own, same with the third day. At which point during this trip will I be able to do blue runs successfully?

Thanks a lot.

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4 Responses to 'How long does it take ski blue runs?'

  1. epresti92 - January 6th, 2009 at 4:08 am

    Your first day, blue runs are only about 5 to 7 min. and are really fun. you might be able to hit blacks on the last day as well.

  2. Ohlordyitssnowingagain - January 7th, 2009 at 6:09 am

    Fair question; and how long is a piece of string?!!
    Within your group, people will pick things up a different rate (only natural). If you’ve never skied before, enjoy the experience, and build your confidence. You WILL fall down (it’s the law), but don’t let that faze you, everyone does.
    Depending on where you are going, you may well learn on blue runs. These are usually wide, open pistes without too many obstacles, but there may be a narrow part to it, or another thing to keep you concentrating!
    Make the most use of the instruction; after 4 hours, your legs may be a bit tires. Take a break for lunch, and then spend the couple of hours in the afternoon putting into practise what you have learnt. Do not get carried away and see how fast you can go, or it may end in tears!
    Relax, enjoy and work hard, and by the third day your confidence and competence should come through.

  3. Willie D - January 8th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    If you are skiing someplace like Michigan or the Poconos where most blue runs are shorter and only moderately more steep than a green run, someone with some lessons and the ability to control their speed should be able to ski a blue run, in a wedge, on their first day. That doesn’t mean you are doing it correctly, but chances are good you’ll make it down the hill without significantly injuring yourself or others.

    Out west or in northern New England it may take several days of skiing with some additional instruction to make it down a blue run. The blue trails are longer and usually steeper at larger mountains than they are at smaller ones. The trail rating system is a comparison of trails at the same resort, therefore a blue trail in the Poconos may not be the same degree of difficultly as a blue trail in the Rockies.

    Your athletic prowess has nothing to do with it, unless you excel at gymnastics, ice skating, or hockey. Don’t get me wrong, being in shape definitely will help in the long run, but coordination and balance are more important than physical strength. I’ve seen All-State football players get their ***** whooped on the bunny slope more than once.

  4. Dan L - January 10th, 2009 at 10:47 am

    It depends on the ski resort and the particular run you are going on, but by the end of the first day or the beginning of the second day you should be able to go down the blue runs without much difficulty. Just remember that if you don’t fall, you aren’t pushing yourself, but if you fall too much, you are probably trying something you aren’t ready for yet.

    So just go and have fun, and I wouldn’t worry about it since I doubt you will be the only one of your friends that doesn’t know how to ski yet.


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