Onpiste

Onpiste, typically written as on piste or on-piste, is a term used in skiing and snowboarding to describe terrain that lies on the marked and maintained runs of a ski resort. These areas are groomed or prepared by piste crews and are designed to be accessed from lifts, bases, and resort infrastructure. On-piste terrain is generally patrolled and subject to resort rules, signage, and regular safety checks.

Pistes are categorized by difficulty and follow a network of marked trails with color codes that indicate relative slope and challenge. Signs, fences, and avalanche barriers help guide skiers and snowboarders along the intended routes. While on-piste areas are maintained and inspected, they still require standard safety precautions, such as head protection and awareness of other users, varying weather conditions, and occasional surface hazards like ice.

Off-piste is a contrasting term for terrain outside the marked and groomed runs. Off-piste areas are not maintained or patrolled to the same extent and may entail higher avalanche risk, variable snow conditions, and limited access to rescue services. Skiers venturing off-piste typically require specialized training, equipment, and emergency planning.

In common usage, on piste serves to distinguish within-resort, groomed skiing from backcountry or ungroomed exploration. The distinction is widely understood in ski culture and is reflected in resort maps, safety guidelines, and sport reporting. Some services and products use the stylized name onpiste as branding, though the core meaning remains the same: terrain within the resort’s marked and maintained network.