Green marks the easiest graded ski pistes in the European trail-rating system.
Green runs are intended for beginners and usually have gentle gradients, broad terrain, and relatively simple access. Resorts often use them for first lessons and basic practice before skiers progress to steeper trails.
The European system commonly ranks pistes from green to blue, red, and black, moving from easiest to most difficult. Exact standards can vary between countries and resorts, so a green trail in one location may not feel identical to one elsewhere.
North American resorts generally use a different symbol system: green circles indicate easiest terrain, blue squares indicate intermediate terrain, and black diamonds indicate advanced terrain. Thus, the color green is the key European answer, while the green circle is the comparable North American marking.