Advanced / Expert Skiers

When advancing skiers take on Black Diamond terrain they should have a strong knowledge of how to keep their speed under control as the terrain gets steeper. There is hardly anything more scary, or more dangerous, than being out of control and then having to make desperate skidding attempts to stop.

In recent years ski resorts have responded to the call of patrons to open more of the wooded area within their boundaries. Referred to as glades on most area trail maps, and invariably marked expert or Black Diamond terrain, many areas are adding more and more acres each year to this category.

In a difficult spot it is just fine to sideslip your way down and/or around any obstacles. Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School Director Brian Maguire shows how to do it the right way.

Any mention about off-piste skiing in Europe, or anywhere that you don't know the terrain, should begin with the fact that you will be using a professional guide. Even if you know the terrain you are about to ski, but are not schooled in judging the stability of the snow a guide or avalanche trained member of the party should be in order.

If you are an expert skier, you know that spending a day at a ski resort that offers no advanced terrain can be boring. These ski resorts, located in North America, offer plenty of trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts. However, these ski resorts have advanced trails that will challenge expert skiers.

A mogul camp or clinic is like any other specialty learning experience. It is extended learning and practice in an immersion style. The mogul camp I attended at Killington consisted of five hours a day on the snow or in the bumps for two days on a Saturday and Sunday.

Many ski resorts offer women's only ski clinics that are targeted to female skiers looking to improve their technique. Women’s ski camps foster a strong sense of camaraderie while allowing female skiers to build upon their skiing skills and their confidence in a comfortable environment. Here's more information on women's ski clinics.

When you are just starting to try to ski well in moguls, start on small bumps in not too steep terrain. Moguls on Black Diamond trails can be both intimidating and dangerous to beginning mogul skiers.

For many years the only classification system for skiers included Beginner, Intermediate and Expert skier. However, a more refined system of assessing skill levels has evolved that gives ski school staff a better way of grouping skiers of equal skills.

Advice and tips for advanced skiers, including the best ski resorts, accessories, and top tips for expert skiers.

Advice and tips on how to ski moguls, including video, from Warren Smith.

Advice and tips on how to ski steeps, including video, from Warren Smith.

Ski tips for the advanced skier, plus an email newsletter you can sign-up for with tips from local ski experts.

This article explains what you need to become an expert skier including fitness, strength, conditioning, mental toughness, and focus.

No matter how advanced of a skier you are, you can always improve. Even if you're confident on difficult trails, you should actively keep working on your form, technique, and balance, because it will only help your skiing. Read on for advanced skiing tips.