Ski Slope Rules 2026/27: FIS Code and Piste Colours

Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Local resort rules always take priority.

The 10 FIS rules in plain English

The FIS rules date back to the 1960s, and the wording used today was adopted by the FIS Congress in 2002, with only minor language updates since. They are not a law in themselves, but courts in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland regularly use them to judge whether someone skied carefully. Not knowing them is no defence after an accident. You can read the official wording on the FIS website (linked below). Here is what each rule means in practice:

The three rules beginners break most often

Rule 3 (choice of route) is often misunderstood. Many people assume the faster skier has right of way. It is the opposite: the person below cannot see you and may turn into your path at any time. You have to allow for that.

Rule 5 (setting off) is the classic beginner trap. Sliding off after a break without looking uphill causes a lot of collisions. Make a shoulder check a habit, just like changing lanes in a car.

Rule 6 (stopping) means: not just below a ridge, not on a bend, not in narrow sections and not in the middle of the run. Stop at the side where people above can see you. As a group, line up along the edge rather than spreading across the slope.

Piste colours: what blue, red and black mean

In Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, pistes are rated in three colours. In Germany and Austria this is even set out in national standards (DIN 32912 and ÖNORM). The rating is mainly based on gradient:

For reference, a 25 % gradient is about 14 degrees and 40 % about 22 degrees. Green runs are rare in the Alpine countries outside France. Beginner areas are usually signposted as nursery slopes or practice areas instead.

Colour is not everything: a red can feel easy on fresh corduroy in the morning and much harder once it is mogulled and icy. Resorts also rate runs relative to their own terrain. For resorts with good beginner terrain, see our guide to the best ski resorts for beginners in Europe.

Piste colours compared by country

In short: an American blue square is closer to an Alpine red, and a French green is the true beginner terrain. For a broader comparison of the main ski countries, read ski Austria vs France vs Switzerland.

Ski routes, freeride and off-piste: what's the difference?

Between groomed pistes and completely open terrain sits a middle category that many people underestimate: the ski route.

• Piste: groomed, marked, protected against alpine hazards, regularly patrolled, with a final sweep in the evening.
• Ski route: marked and protected against avalanches, but usually not groomed and not patrolled continuously. That is how the Austrian standard ÖNORM S 4611 defines it, as Austria's Supreme Court has confirmed. In Switzerland these runs are marked yellow and have no final patrol. In France they are called "itinéraires".
• Off-piste: not marked, not secured, not patrolled. You are fully responsible for yourself, including avalanche risk.

For newer skiers: only try ski routes once you are comfortable on black runs, never alone and not in poor visibility. Off-piste requires avalanche training, safety kit (transceiver, probe, shovel) and ideally a certified mountain guide. Check the official avalanche bulletin every day. Our guide to ski trip insurance and safety explains the avalanche danger scale and how to make sure you are covered.

Other signs you should recognise

• Yellow triangle with an exclamation mark: hazard ahead, such as a junction, narrow section or steep drop.
• "Slow" banners or signs: slow zone, typically near lift exits, children's areas or where pistes merge.
• Closed sign or barrier tape: run closed, for example because of avalanche risk, grooming or a race. Never ignore it.
• Half red, half green boundary markers: used in some resorts to separate the piste from unsecured terrain. Only pass them on the green side.

Why you should not ski after the lifts close

Grooming starts after the lifts shut. On steep slopes many piste machines use winch cables, steel cables stretched across or down the run for hundreds of metres that can move suddenly. That is extremely dangerous for anyone on the slope. Pistes are therefore usually closed outside operating hours. Evening uphill skiing is only allowed on designated routes at times set by the resort. The same goes for your way down after après-ski: ski back before the final patrol, and do not walk or sledge down a closed piste.

Liability after a collision: who is at fault?

Collisions are one of the main causes of injuries on the slopes, and according to the German automobile club ADAC, the risk of collisions leading to injury has recently increased. Who is liable depends on the specific case and on the law of the country where the accident happened. A few principles still help you understand where you stand:

1. The skier behind is usually in the weaker position. Rule 3 says the person coming from above must ski so as not to endanger anyone below.
2. Anyone joining or setting off must look first. Sliding onto the piste without checking uphill breaches rule 5 and can make you partly responsible.
3. Stopping in a blind spot without good reason can also make you share the blame (rule 6).
4. Leaving the scene is not an option. The FIS rules require assistance and an exchange of details, and in several countries skiing away after an accident can be a criminal matter.

Medical bills, lost earnings and compensation can add up quickly, which is why personal liability cover that applies to winter sports abroad is essential for students. In Italy you are legally required to have liability insurance on the pistes, and you may be asked to prove it.

What to do after an accident

1. Secure the site above the injured person, for example by crossing skis in the snow or posting someone uphill.
2. Give first aid and call 112 (in Austria also 140, in Switzerland 1414), or ask someone to alert the piste patrol.
3. Note the names, phone numbers and addresses of everyone involved and all witnesses.
4. Record the location, time, piste number, visibility and snow conditions, ideally with photos.
5. Do not sign any admission of fault before speaking to your insurer.
6. Report the accident to your insurer promptly.

Alcohol on the slopes: what's the rule?

Après-ski is part of many ski trips, but alcohol on the slopes is a different story. According to ADAC and the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV), even small amounts slow your reaction time and increase risk-taking. At speeds of 30 to 70 km/h or more, a fraction of a second is enough for a serious collision.

Whatever the country, many insurers reduce or refuse claims when alcohol was involved. The simple rule: the mountain hut is for lunch, the party starts after your last run. For tips on enjoying après-ski and getting down safely, read our guide to après-ski in Austria.

Lift etiquette: drag lifts, chairlifts and gondolas

Lift rules are about more than manners: they keep you and others safe. The Swiss Commission for Accident Prevention on Snow Sports Runs (SKUS) sets out several, and the same principles apply across the Alps, with details posted by each lift operator.

Drag lifts (T-bars and button lifts)

• Stay in the track and do not slalom.
• If you fall, let go and move out of the track straight away.
• Only get off at the exit point and clear the exit area immediately.
• Snowboarders usually ride with the front foot strapped in and the back foot free on the board.

Chairlifts

• Swing your backpack round to the front before you sit down so it does not catch.
• Lower the safety bar only once everyone is seated, and agree on it before you do.
• Raise the bar only shortly before the exit, not halfway up.
• No swinging, no throwing things and no leaning out.

Gondolas and general queuing

• Do not walk over other people's skis or push in the queue.
• Put skis and poles in the external racks or hold them upright.
• At the top, move away from the exit before regrouping.

Never used a lift? It is covered in every beginner lesson. Our first-time skiing tips and, if you are tempted by the board, our guide to learning to snowboard explain more.

Helmets, speed and country-specific rules

Beyond the FIS code, some countries have extra rules:

• Italy: since the 2025/26 season, helmets are compulsory for all skiers and snowboarders in Italy, whatever their age, and you must have third-party liability insurance on the slopes. Breaking these rules can lead to fines of around €100–150 and, for repeat offences, your lift pass being withdrawn.
• Austria: seven of the nine federal states require helmets for children under 15. Tyrol and Vorarlberg do not.
• Switzerland, Germany, France: no legal helmet requirement, but helmets are strongly recommended.

Rules can change, so check with the resort before you travel, and wear a helmet everywhere.

Quick quiz: do you know the slope rules?

1. You are faster than the skier below you. Who has to avoid whom? You do.
2. You fall just below a ridge. What do you do? Move to the side as quickly as you can.
3. Your friend wants to set off after a break. What should they do first? Look uphill and downhill.
4. A run is taped off but looks perfect. Can you go in? No.
5. You witness an accident and are in a hurry. Do you have to stay? Yes, help and give your details.
6. You see a green run in France. What does it mean? Very easy, ideal for beginners.

Got all six? You are ready for your first ski week. Our ski trips for students already include accommodation, lift pass and half board, and beginner lessons can be added. The booking pages and the ski FAQ are in German.

Sources

• FIS: Code of Conduct for Skiers and Snowboarders (PDF)
• Ski Austria: FIS rules of conduct (German)
• SKUS: Guidelines for skiers and snowboarders (PDF, German)
• ADAC: Ski helmet rules and alcohol on the slopes (German)
• Austrian Supreme Court ruling 1Ob59/19m on ski routes (JUSLINE, German)
• Alpine Club South Tyrol: Italy's new helmet law (German)