| 100% | SKISLOPE | 8 | Trail labeled with a black diamond or blue square, say |
| 45% | SKIS | 4 | Tackles a black diamond trail, say |
| 44% | SKI | 3 | Go down a black diamond trail, say |
| 37% | SKI | 3 | Tackle a black diamond, say |
| 36% | SKI | 3 | Traverse a black diamond slope, say |
| 36% | SKI | 3 | Tackle a black diamond run, say |
| 36% | REDACTS | 7 | Covers with a black rectangle, say |
| 36% | SKIS | 4 | Goes down a Black Diamond trail, perhaps |
| 36% | SKI | 3 | Head down a black diamond trail, perhaps |
| 36% | SKI | 3 | Go down a black diamond course, say |
| 36% | SKI | 3 | Whoosh down a black diamond slope, say |
| 35% | ANIMAL | 6 | With 56-Across, lunchbox snacks ... or a hint to the black squares before 18-, 29-, 35- and 45-Across? |
| 35% | BMW | 3 | Auto with a black, blue and white logo |
| 35% | TARS | 4 | Paves the road with a black goo, say |
| 35% | REVEAL | 6 | Pop a balloon filled with pink or blue confetti, say |
| 35% | LABRADOR | 8 | Retriever dog breed with a black or yellow coat |
| 35% | RIPE | 4 | Like a black blackberry or blue blueberry |
| 34% | GHOSTBUSTERS | 12 | 1984 supernatural movie with a 2016 reboot ... or a description of the black squares between the groups of circles? |
| 34% | HONOR | 5 | Present with a blue ribbon, say |
| 34% | ION | 3 | Particle with a "+" or "-" charge, say |
| 34% | ION | 3 | Molecule with a "+" or "-" charge, say |
| 34% | DALMATIAN | 9 | Large breed of dog with a black or brown spotted white coat |
| 33% | SALESTAG | 8 | Label with a bar code and price, say (2 wds.) |
| 33% | SAMS | 4 | Club with a blue and white diamond logo |
| 33% | ESTONIA | 7 | Country with a blue, black and white flag |
| 33% | ESTONIA | 7 | Country with a blue-, black- and white-striped flag |
| 33% | INK | 3 | Black or blue liquid in a pen |
| 32% | LAB | 3 | Dog with a yellow, black, or chocolate coat, for short |
| 32% | BERRY | 5 | Ending with black, blue or straw |
| 32% | AMOCO | 5 | Classic gas brand with a red, white, blue and black logo |