If you’ve skied in Switzerland, you may have noticed something unusual on the piste map: yellow runs. Not blue, red, or black… but yellow. These mysterious trails spark a lot of questions from visiting skiers, especially those used to colour-coded piste systems elsewhere in the world.
So, what exactly is a yellow run? Is it off-piste? Is it marked? Is it safe?
Here’s everything you need to know about skiing yellow runs in Switzerland — especially in Zermatt including what to expect, what to watch out for, and which ones are truly worth chasing.
What is a Yellow run in Switzerland
A yellow run is a marked but ungroomed itinerary route. Think of it as a halfway point between a piste and off-piste terrain.
They’re great for advanced skiers who want the thrill of natural terrain steeper pitches, variable snow, moguls, or powder without having to navigate fully off-piste or carry avalanche gear.
Marked yellow on the map and with yellow poles on the mountain (although usually down the middle of the piste and not at the sides). Although the colour denotes the lack of grooming, there’s no indication of the steepness, narrowness or difficulty of the terrain on a yellow run.
Not groomed or maintained. The snow conditions will depend on the recent snowfall and weather and the number of skiers using the run. This means snow could be anything from untouched powder to breakable crust to gnarly moguls.
They are avalanche-controlled. The lift company assess the snow cover and avalanche risk before declaring a yellow run open.
Ski at your own risk. The lift company take no responsibility for your yellow run adventure. It’s a personal choice to assess the difficulty of the the run and the snow conditions before choosing to ski a yellow run.
They are opened and closed like regular pistes. Open means it’s deemed safe to ski (although there’s no guarantee on the snow conditions) and you don’t need to worry about avalanche risk. Whether it’s a yellow run or a groomer, you should never ski a run that’s closed.
Groomed Pistes (Blue/Red/Black) | Yellow Itinerary Runs | Off Piste | |
|---|---|---|---|
Groomed | Yes | No | No |
Avalanche controlled | Yes | Yes | No |
Marked on map | Yes | Yes | No |
Piste markers | Yes - piste markers either side of the run mark where it goes | Yes - Yellow poles mark the middle of the pistes | No |
Open/closed status | Live updates on the app | Live updates on the app | No |
Skill level | All levels depending on colour | Advanced/Expert only | Advanced/Expert |
Important: If a yellow run is closed, respect the closure. It means avalanche danger or unsafe conditions.
What to Watch Out For
Length
Some of the yellow runs are long. Take a good look at where they go on the piste map and pay particular attention to the vertical drop of a run. Some yellow runs in Zermatt drop almost 1000 vertical meters. Quite an undertaking given there’s often no bail out points to the groomed runs. If you decide you want to ski them, you can ask locally about conditions before you head in. Often, once you are in, the only way out is all the way down.
Changing conditions
Yellow runs can go from powder to crust to moguls within a single descent.
Limited visibility
Many are in open bowls — poor light makes terrain reading tricky.
Hidden dangers
No grooming means unexpected bumps, wind lips, rocks or creeks.
No patrol at the end of the day
Don’t expect help at the end of the day. You need to be self-reliant.
Why Yellow Runs Are Worth It
If you’re a confident skier looking for something between piste and full off-piste, yellow runs are an absolute gem:
- Get a wilder ski experience without leaving the resort
- Enjoy quieter slopes — fewer people venture here
- Great for powder days, moguled steeps, and developing off-piste skills
- Perfect stepping stone before hiring a guide or skiing full backcountry
They’re also a fantastic way to get a feel for freeride terrain while still staying on avalanche controlled terrain.
A quick guide to the yellow runs in Zermattt
Sunnegga
16 – Chamois
A long descent down the middle of the Rothorn face, with varied terrain, a big mountain feel and spectacular views of Zermatt village and the Matterhorn.
Conditions: Needs a lot of snow to open due to rocky base, usually only on a very good season these days.
Access: Access from Rothorn and start down red run No 12 looking out for the yellow signs on the left.
17 – Marmotte
A fun traverse along the ridge past the top of Chamois, then a fantastic long descent down next to the ridge. Rolling pitches mixed up with interesting sections between rocks make for a brilliant run away from it all.
Conditions: Needs a lot of snow to open due to rocky base, usually only on a very good season these days.
Access: Access from Rothorn and start down red run No 12 looking out for the yellow signs on the left.
18 – Arbzug
A great hidden run down through the trees, starts pretty mellow and then rolls in to a steeper finish which often develops big moguls before a traverse out to the bubble
Conditions: Like the other two yellows at Sunnegga this run needs a good amount of snow to open. It is open more often than 16 & 17 but certainly not every season.
Access: Access from Red No 15 at the bottom of the last steep pitch there’s a yellow sign to the right, a short traverse and you are in.
Gornergrat (Hohtälli)
31, 32, 33 – Rote Nase
The most famous of the yellow runs in Zermatt, the famous ‘Triftji Bumps’ were found here. Over the last 20 years with the disappearance of the glacier the T-bars have had to close and access is limited so it’s less bumpy now. However, Rote Nase is home to some amazing off piste skiing and when the conditions are good you have 1000m loops without a piste in sight!
Conditions: High mountain terrain and very rocky underneath so needs a lot of snow to cover it well. Big mountain terrain so don’t stray further from the yellow poles than the piste markers say.
Tip: Access via Hohtälli. In the last few years this is usually only accessible to mountain guides and federally recognised instructors. They have to sign in to go on the lift and everyone in the group needs avalanche gear as it is not patrolled. It did open to the public as yellow runs in Winter 24/25, so hopefully just needs a load of snow to do so again!
30 – Mittelritz
This is an epic bump line down from Hohtälli. Once the bumps are in a series of small gullies link together to work the legs the whole way back down to a road you traverse out on. If you like bumps and this is open, it’s well worth a visit, the northerly aspect keeps the snow good and the cable car back up give you time to recover!
Conditions: High mountain terrain and very rocky underneath so needs a lot of snow to cover it well. Big mountain terrain so don’t stray further from the yellow poles than the piste markers say. Sadly this one hasn’t been open every year recently.
Access: Head down the White Hare from Hohtälli, Run 28, and keep and eye out for the yellow signs on the right when you hit the first short road that traverses left.
Klein Matterhorn & Schwarzsee
🔸 67 & 68 Garten
Short but fun, wide open natural terrain. Not too steep so a great introduction to the yellow runs. There’s also exit options as it is close to the piste, so if you decide yellow runs are not for you it’s not as committing as others.
Conditions: North facing so holds the snow well. It takes an amount of snow to cover the rocks but small gullies hold it well ensuring it opens every season, and is usually the first of the Yellows to open.
Access: Head down from Schwarzsee on Run No 51. Keep an eye out on the right just before the tree line. Once you are in there’s no way out until you hit the piste at the bottom that takes you back to Furi.
58 – Hermetje
Big bumps down into the trees with views looking to the North over the village and rest of the ski area.
Conditions: Starts wide and open, then gets tighter and more technical in the trees. Gets more sun than the other runs on this side so later in the winter gets a little icy/slushy as things warm up.
Access: Head to the mid station of the Matterhorn Express down either the Red 57 or Blue 56 and turn left at the yellow signs.
59 – Tiefbach
Starting wide and open and gradually getting steeper and narrower as it goes down. Great skiing with trees, gullies and flowing terrain for those who like a challenge.
Conditions: Starts wide and open, then gets tighter and more technical as you get to the tree line. Needs a lot of snow to fill in the gullies lower down so isn’t open every seaosn.
Access: Head towards the mid station of the Matterhorn Express down Blue 56 and turn left at the yellow signs as you hit the road.
🔸 60 – Momatt
A long, quiet line in the trees down from Schwarzsee. Playful and scenic with natural rollers and varied snow. It is steep in the middle so not the best one as a first foray into yellow runs.
Conditions: Steep rolling terrain, usually big moguls with the occasional boulder, mini waterfall or bush to avoid (all done easily!) except after new snow where it becomes steep and deep powder descent. It opens most winters and is usually one of the first of the bigger yellows to open.
Access: Ideal after a fresh snowfall.
🔸 49 – Bielti
A shortcut to avoid Furi if you are headed towards the village (or Zum See & Blatten) from Schwarzsee. Fun little rolling run with a couple of steeper/narrower moments in it.
Conditions: Opens most winters, not much to avoid in here, just follow the piste markers.
Access: Left hand turn down the gully towards the end of the Weisse Perle, Run No 51, heading down from Schwarzsee.
Tips for Skiing Yellow Runs Safely
- Check the open/closed status on the Zermatt Bergbahnen website or app
- Ski in pairs or groups, especially on longer yellows like Triftji or Mittelritz.
- Save them for good visibility days — bad light makes terrain harder to read
- If in doubt, ask a ski instructor or guide about conditions and suitability
Yellow runs are part of what makes skiing in Zermatt, and Switzerland, so special. They offer a unique experience that blends the structure of a ski area with the freedom of natural terrain. Whether you’re chasing spring bumps, early-season powder, or just looking to escape the crowds, these runs are where the fun really begins.
Tips for Skiing Yellow Runs Safely
- Check the open/closed status on the Zermatt Bergbahnen website or app
- Ski in pairs or groups, especially on longer yellows like Triftji or Mittelritz.
- Save them for good visibility days — bad light makes terrain harder to read
- If in doubt, ask a ski instructor or guide about conditions and suitability
Yellow runs are part of what makes skiing in Zermatt, and Switzerland, so special. They offer a unique experience that blends the structure of a ski area with the freedom of natural terrain. Whether you’re chasing spring bumps, early-season powder, or just looking to escape the crowds, these runs are where the fun really begins.