The difference between the numbers is the vertical drop, and we can start to sketch out a right triangle. Because elevation data is now available at the click of a mouse, we can measure the altitude at the top and bottom of a slope and be accurate to within a few feet. Thanks to NASA, the US Geological Survey, the Google, and a dead guy named Pythagoras, we can come pretty darn close to accurately measuring the angle of any given ski slope.
KILLINGTON NEW BLUE MAGIC TRAIL HOW TO
The question then becomes, how to determine the “degrees” of a ski slope? Regardless of whether or not you can ski it, chances are that you can understand the steepness of a slope if someone tells you the angle when it is expressed in degrees. But put on a pair of skis, and even most advanced skiers will pause at the top of a 19° slope to pick their route. If you cut even that in half - less than 20° - you’d say that’s a very low angle staircase.
![killington new blue magic trail killington new blue magic trail](https://mountaintimes.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/6I2A5901-638x394.jpg)
Cut that down quite a bit, say, to the angle of a modern staircase, which is about 38°. Most of us know that if a cliff goes straight up, it’s a 90° angle. The angle of the slope, expressed in degrees, is probably the best method for a moderately educated person. How then, to honestly compare and categorize steepness, and dumb it down so the rest of us can understand it?
![killington new blue magic trail killington new blue magic trail](https://images.singletracks.com/2019/08/G0010469_1565470761951_high.jpg)
You can ask one to explain it, but chances are you’ll nod off during their ensuing discourse. As for the ski resorts, they often speak in terms of “percent of grade” or some other obscure measure that is only understood by engineers. We lobby for our favorites, dismiss those at lesser mountains, and generally have no clue about the facts. In fact, the ski area spokesman’s propensity to enhance and embellish the treachery of a steep trail is second only to those of us who ski them. They exaggerate almost as much as skiers. Ski areas are notorious for making claims. The claims are ubiquitous: “Steepest in the east!” or “Longest and steepest in the midwest” or “Longest sustained pitch in Colorado” and of course the always popular, “If you can ski here you can ski anywhere.” If you want to skip that stuff and just get to the facts, scroll down the page…
![killington new blue magic trail killington new blue magic trail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xuVh6OnwSHk/maxresdefault.jpg)
The math and reasoning is sort of explained below. Above, staring down Outer Limits, Killington VT