Is 'Red' intermediate or advanced? We explain the Japanese trail difficulty system so you don't end up on a cliff.
Don't Trust the Colors In Europe, it's Green -> Blue -> Red -> Black. In North America, it's Green -> Blue -> Black. The Reality: Japan has its own system, and it is not consistent. --- 1. The Japanese Color Code Green (Shoshin-sha): Beginner. Wide and flat. Red (Chukyu-sha): Intermediate. This is the "trap." A Japanese Red can range from a mellow Blue in Colorado to a steep Red in Verbier. It often includes moguls (bumps) in the afternoon.
Black (Jokyu-sha): Advanced. Expect un-groomed terrain, steep pitches (30+ degrees), and sometimes cliffs. 2. On-Piste Etiquette No Stopping in the Middle: This is universal, but Japanese skiers take it very seriously. Pull to the side of the trail completely. The Lift Queue: Japanese queues are polite and quiet. Don't push, don't step on skis, and don't shout. The Bow: If you accidentally bump into someone, a small bow and a "Sumimasen" fixes everything instantly. 3.
Grooming Schedule Japanese resorts take pride in their "Jyu-piste" (Groomed trails). Yuki's Take: The best grooming happens at 4:00 AM. Be at the lift at 8:30 AM to catch the "Corduroy" before the powder hounds tear it up. --- Always check the official resort map at the bottom of the lift. They often list the maximum gradient (degree) of each run. If a "Red" run is over 25 degrees, it’s going to be a challenge. Check our Live Cams to see how crowded the main pistes are before you head up.