Posted 10 October 2024

Ever wondered what the colors of the runs mean in france?

Don't always trust the colors!

Piste colors give you a rough idea of what kind of ride you're in for during peak season, but snow conditions can flip the script. A blue run that’s usually a breeze might get icy after a frosty night and feel way more challenging than expected. Catch that same slope after it’s been groomed, and it’s smooth sailing—until the evening, when it can get rough again.

Sometimes, resorts also tweak the grading to manage the crowds and make areas appear more attractive to tourists. If a "blue" is the only route back to town, don't be surprised if its tougher than usual!

Green 🟢

France is one of the few places where you'll find green runs specifically graded for beginners. These gentle slopes are perfect for practicing turns, thanks to their wide, easy-going paths and shallow gradient—so no need to worry about dodging out-of-control skiers!

Once you're ready to move on from the practice area, green runs are usually the first step up. But a quick heads-up for snowboarders and skiers without poles: these runs often have long flat sections. You can try to keep your momentum, but occasionally you might need to unstrap and walk—definitely not the most fun part!

During peak season, the snow is usually top notch, and the deeper you go into the mountain, the quieter those green runs get.

Blue 🔵

Blue runs are the next step up from green, and make up the majority of runs in resorts. Blues come in all shapes and sizes but most often are fairly wide and nearly always moderately steep with both ups and downs. So be prepared for flat and uphill sections where you'll need that extra wax.

These runs are great for beginners and intermediates alike. We would recommend going out mid morning just as the sun starts warming up the snow for the best experience.

The snow quality is often very good, but can vary an a bit more variable than greens. Blues tend to have very high traffic and busy, lower altitude runs soon get chopped up.

Red 🔴

Red runs are a step up from blue and make up the second largest portion of slopes in most resorts. They're typically moderately steep and can vary in width, though they tend to be narrower than blues.

Red runs are the sweet spot for intermediate and advanced skiers, offering just enough challenge without completely wearing you out. They tend to be either steep and fast or require moderate technical skill.

At higher altitudes, snow conditions are usually dependable, but watch out for those busy reds leading back into town. The constant traffic can scrape away the snow, leaving you with icy patches and big moguls to navigate!

Black ⚫

Black runs are the toughest slopes in France, known for being steep, ungroomed, and often on the icier shaded side of the mountain. They can take you all the way from the peak down to the base and are sometimes the quickest route back into town — if you’re up for the challenge!

These runs are perfect for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but if you're looking to level up, try mixing in a few black runs throughout your day. Having enough in the tank before going down is always a good idea as they’ll test your stamina.

Snow quality can be all over the place, and sometimes a run is labeled "black" more because of tricky conditions than just the gradient. We've even seen blacks with meter high moguls from the lack of grooming.

Are there orange pistes in france?

Generally no, although they can appear in resorts share borders with Austria and Switzerland, orange pistes are even more advanced than Black. They tend to be totally wild, ungroomed and left to the elements. If your insurance has restrictions around off-piste this is the closest you can get!

Are their black diamond pistes in france?

Nope, these are for North American runs. Black is generally considered for expert and above, so you wont know just how advanced a black a run is until you do it.

What is the orange tape on piste markers?

The orange tape usually signifies the right hand side of the piste. If your in a white out you will need this piece of knowledge to help you stay on the correct side of the run. The markers without orange tape signify the left hand side of the piste.