What to Expect from and How to Handle Black Diamond Slopes

 

Terry McEnany, MD, dedicated more than two decades to the medical field, serving as a cardiovascular surgeon. After retiring, Dr. Terry McEnany pursued his passion for skiing by becoming an instructor in Aspen, Colorado.

All ski resorts in North America use a rating system to identify the difficulty level of a slope. There is no standardization in the system, so ratings vary by resort. However, a sign bearing a black diamond will always signify a more challenging terrain, which requires advanced skills. Up to three black diamonds may appear on a sign. Each additional diamond informs you that a trail needs more expertise to descend.

Steep and narrow are common characteristics of a black diamond slope. Additionally, they often contain more hazards, such as rocks, trees, and cliffs and tend to be less groomed. Travel down these trails with caution and use hairpin turns to have full control of your journey. Hairpin turns help with regulating speed because it involves positioning skis parallel to one another and perpendicular to the slope direction, also known as the main fall line of a hill. This slows speed by creating more resistance and allows you time to execute your descent the way you intend.

Preventing Frostbite When Skiing

Terry McEnany, MD, served as a cardiovascular surgeon and clinical educator for 25 years. Now engaged in a second career as a ski instructor, Dr. Terry McEnany works with students at Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen, Colorado.

Defined as the freezing of body tissues, frostbite can develop with any overexposure to cold temperatures. This may occur with extended exposure to moderately cold temperatures or with brief exposures to extreme cold. In either case, skin begins to signal damage with pain and subsequently with numbness as ice crystals form within the tissue.

Insulation of the extremities is key to preventing this process, as parts of the body farthest from the heart are also those most susceptible to frostbite. Skiers should carefully layer both hands and feet, preferably with a wicking under-layer that keeps moisture away from the skin. Any moisture, including that produced by blowing warm air on the fingers, can lower skin temperature. When hands or head do become warm, the skier should remove outer layers before sweat forms.

Physical activity may also be helpful in keeping the extremities warm, though excessive wind renders this strategy less effective. In fact, wind chill stands out as a contributing factor to frostbite and should prompt a skier to be more mindful of temperature sensations. If the skier does notice a numbness in the extremities, immediate overall warmth or a warm-water soak may prevent the condition from progressing further. Severe cases or cases that involve loss of sensation typically require medical attention.                            

Aspen, Colorado - A Skiing and Cultural Destination for Decades

Over the course of a career spanning several decades, accomplished cardiovascular surgeon Terry McEnany, MD, held prominent positions at medical facilities across the country. Currently, Dr. Terry McEnany divides his time between Boston and Aspen, Colorado, where he serves as a ski instructor at the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen.

A skiing and outdoor recreation destination for decades, Aspen first made its mark on the skiing world in 1950, when the community hosted the United States’ first world skiing competition. That event and others that followed showcased Aspen’s unique and difficult mountain terrain and helped elevate the area’s status as an international destination for both skiers and cultural enthusiasts.

Over the years, Aspen continued to expand its ski territory and attract visitors from around the world. Today, the town remains a top destination for not only skiing but also art, music, and education. Modern visitors travel to Aspen to enjoy such events as the Alpine Skiing World Cup, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Winter X Games, which will be held there every year through 2019.

Determining Your Skiing Skill Level

A graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Terry McEnany, MD, practiced thoracic and cardiovascular surgery for nearly 25 years, and he has a second career as a ski instructor at Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen, Colorado. Operating out of Aspen Snowmass ski resort, Terry McEnany and his fellow instructors help aspiring skiers of all ages and skill levels hone their skills on the slopes.

Before deciding which ski lessons to register for, it’s best to first determine your personal skill level. Aspen Snowmass classifies beginners, who fall into levels 1-3, as individuals who have either never skied or who can only ski on green terrain. Beginner ski students learn to come to a stop, change direction, and link turns on green terrain. Level 4 skiers, or advanced beginners, can ski on all green terrain as well as easy blue slopes, while intermediate skiers can take on the majority of groomed blue areas. Intermediate skiers are able to ski parallel and perform a hockey stop before gaining experience on small bumps and easy, groomed black terrain. By level 7, intermediate skiers should be able to use their poles to make parallel turns and are prepared to take on ungroomed black slopes.

Advanced or expert skiers fall into levels 7-9 and are generally well equipped to explore all black terrain, as well as easy double-black slopes. They have learned to make rhythmic short radius turns on both groomed and ungroomed blue and black terrain, and should eventually be comfortable skiing on all areas of the mountain while honing their speed and technical skills.