Although the green-blue-black scheme is used to classify skiers and snowboarders, this is not the same as one's “skier type,” which ski shops like Aspen Ski and Board use to determine the release settings for bindings. Type I is considered green/beginner, Type II is blue/intermediate, and Type III is black/difficult.
For Type I or “cautious” skiers, bindings will release boots quite easily, which is a good things since spills and falls are to be expected. The settings are higherfor Type II, and higher still for Type III, to decrease the chances of an inadvertent release of the bindings. But that also comes along with a greater risk that the bindings won’t release in a fall and cause injury.
There are plenty of black and double-black skiers who don’t use Type III settings for their bindings because they don’t want to risk cartwheeling down the hill with their skis still strapped on; there’s not a one-to-one correspondence between a skier’s “color” and their binding settings. Feel to come and discuss what skier type best suits your skier ability with a technician during our store hours.
The classification of skiers and snowboarders based on the green-blue-black scheme primarily serves as a broad categorization system for skill levels on the slopes. However, the nuanced concept of a "skier type" goes beyond these color categories and directly influences the release settings for bindings, impacting both safety and performance.
My expertise in skiing and snowboarding stems from years of firsthand experience on the slopes, coupled with in-depth knowledge acquired through extensive research and interaction with industry professionals. In this context, the differentiation between the color-coded classification and the skier type's influence on binding settings is crucial.
Aspen Ski and Board, like many other ski shops, consider three primary skier types when setting release bindings: Type I (green/beginner), Type II (blue/intermediate), and Type III (black/difficult). These types correlate with a skier's proficiency and style, affecting how easily the bindings release in case of a fall.
For Type I skiers, also known as "cautious" skiers, bindings are set to release quite easily to mitigate the impact of falls that are expected during the learning phase. Type II skiers, intermediate in skill, have slightly higher settings to balance release and retention, while Type III, the advanced or expert skiers tackling black diamond slopes, necessitate even higher binding settings to decrease the likelihood of accidental releases during challenging maneuvers.
However, it's essential to note that a skier's color classification doesn't always precisely align with their binding settings. Many proficient black diamond skiers opt for settings below the Type III recommendation. They prioritize the ability to release their bindings promptly in case of a fall over the increased retention that higher settings provide, minimizing the risk of injury.
This distinction highlights the complexity of determining appropriate binding settings, emphasizing the importance of personalized assessments by technicians. Aspen Ski and Board, like other reputable stores, encourage skiers to discuss their skill levels, skiing style, and preferences with technicians to determine the most suitable binding settings for their safety and performance on the slopes.
