How Slope Steepness Percentages Actually Work — A Quick Guide

You see the numbers everywhere in Bonvo.Ski — 12%, 23%, 40%, 78%. But what do slope steepness percentages actually mean? And how do they relate to the Family, Advanced, and Expert categories you see in slope rankings? Let us break it down.

What the Percentage Means

Slope gradient as a percentage is simple: for every 100 metres you travel horizontally, how many metres do you drop vertically? A 25% slope drops 25 metres for every 100 metres of horizontal distance. A 100% slope is a 45-degree angle. Anything above 100% means the slope is steeper than 45 degrees.

How Bonvo.Ski Categories Map to Steepness

• Family (green/blue) — Typically under 20% gradient. Gentle, wide, and perfect for learning or relaxed cruising
• Advanced (red) — Usually between 20% and 40%. Requires confident parallel turns and good speed control
• Expert (black) — Above 40% and sometimes well beyond. Demands strong technique and nerve. Think Harakiri at 78%

Why This Matters on the Mountain

When you check slope rankings in Bonvo.Ski, the steepness percentage gives you an objective measure that goes beyond the colour of a line on a piste map. Different countries grade slopes differently — a red run in France might be a black run in another country. The percentage does not lie. It tells you exactly what the terrain is doing.

A Practical Example

A 12% slope feels almost flat — you might need to push with your poles. A 23% slope is a comfortable cruise. At 40%, you are on serious terrain. At 78%, you are looking down Harakiri and wondering about your life choices. Use the numbers, trust the numbers, and pick the slopes that match your ability.