Four free skiing tools covering calorie burn, slope gradient calculation, speed estimation, and wax selection by temperature. Useful for recreational skiers and racers alike.
Understanding ski slopes
Ski slope grading varies by country. In Europe, the colour system runs green (beginner, typically under 25% gradient) → blue (easy, 25–40%) → red (intermediate, 40–45%) → black (advanced, 45%+). North America uses green circle → blue square → black diamond → double black diamond. Gradient percentage and degrees do not correspond linearly — a 45° slope (very steep) equals 100% gradient, but most advanced piste skiing happens on slopes of 35–50% gradient (roughly 19–27°).
All skiing tools
4Skiing Calorie Calculator
Estimate calories burned skiing by intensity, terrain and bodyweight.
Open toolSki Slope Gradient Calculator
Convert between slope percentage, degrees and understand piste difficulty grades.
Open toolSki Speed Estimator
Estimate your skiing speed from distance covered and time taken.
Open toolSki Wax Temperature Guide
Find the right ski wax for the snow temperature and conditions.
Open toolFrequently asked questions
How steep is a black ski run?
In Europe, black piste runs are typically 45% gradient or steeper (approximately 24°+). Double black diamond runs in North America exceed this. Off-piste and couloir skiing can involve gradients of 50–60%+ (27–31°). For comparison, a 30° slope feels very steep to most skiers and would qualify as a demanding red or easy black on most European resorts.
What ski wax should I use?
Ski wax selection depends on snow temperature and snow type (new vs transformed snow). As a basic guide: cold dry snow (below -10°C) needs a hard blue/green wax; moderate temperatures (-5 to -10°C) use a purple or violet wax; warmer conditions (0 to -5°C) use a red wax; wet spring snow (around 0°C and above) uses a yellow or special wet wax. The ski wax temperature guide tool gives specific recommendations for your conditions.
How many calories does skiing burn per hour?
A 75kg skier burns approximately 300–500 calories per hour on piste, depending heavily on intensity. Aggressive skiing on steep terrain and moguls can exceed 500–600 calories per hour. Time on ski lifts significantly reduces the average — track active skiing time separately. Ski touring (skinning uphill) burns 500–800+ calories per hour because of the continuous aerobic effort.