Ski resort trail maps can be a bit confusing, but they can really make a ski trip significantly better if you’re good at reading them. From providing clues on where the best snow will be to helping you avoid major lift lines, this guide from SRG Skiing will make reading a ski map quite a bit easier and quite a bit more beneficial.
There are several things to consider when reading a trail map. Sun exposure will help you decide where the best snow will be, with north-facing runs holding powder for longer and south-facing slopes softening earlier in the day. Alternative routes out of the base area, parallel chairlifts, and spacing between lift terminals can all help you avoid lift lines.
Mid-mountain choke points, where multiple trails converge at once or where terrain funnels into a single lift, can see serious congestion, and beginner/intermediate areas often see the biggest crowds. Look for terrain pods with multiple greens and blues, note slow zones and run shapes, and keep an eye out for unmarked cutoffs and other details.
