The Most Terrifying Ski Slopes in the World
The Most Difficult Ski Runs in the World
Dazzling white snow, bright sunshine, and a wide gentle slope – what could be more appealing for skiing enthusiasts? Only the sharp rocks sticking out from under the snow, wide cracks, high jumps, huge bumps on the slope, and the adrenaline-pumping possibility of avalanches.
While beginner skiers look for "green" slopes, more experienced ones in search of adrenaline seek out the most challenging "black" runs. Skiing is one of the best ways to test your limits, learn to navigate dangers, get back on your feet after any fall, and celebrate victory even when you’re at the very bottom.
Athletes are not deterred by the risk of serious injuries and the possibility of saying goodbye to their favorite hobby forever; for many of them, conquering the most difficult slopes is a matter of honor. Many "black" runs are used for training by professional athletes, and some slopes have been the site of major competitions for many years.
There are numerous rankings of the most dangerous ski runs in Europe/the world, and they overlap in some respects. Below is a summary of several such rankings, attempting to describe the most terrifying ski slopes in the world.
Corbet's Couloir, Wyoming, USA
The narrow couloir in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming is considered the most dangerous ski slope in the USA.
It is named after skier Barry Corbet, who skied down it in 1967, but since then, there have not been too many daredevils. The descent poses serious dangers, and only a few are allowed to attempt it. You can only take the risk if you obtain special permission from the rescuers. It is important to maintain good relations with the rescuers, especially when you might need their help...
Corbet's Couloir has a worldwide reputation as a run that experienced skiers must conquer at least once in their lives. A new gondola will quickly take you to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, where you can first observe other brave souls before deciding to make the crazy jump yourself.
Many, upon reaching the top, do not find the courage to descend this couloir. One glance down makes them look for another way down the rocks. However, the slope itself, with an angle of no more than 40 degrees and a width of 15 meters, is not that terrifying. The entrance to the couloir is surrounded by rocks on three sides, and before landing on the slope (if it can even be called a slope), the skier must fly more than 6 meters in free fall through a gap between two rocks, and after landing, they must immediately turn sharply to avoid crashing into a huge boulder. The angle of descent is about 50 degrees.
The main thing is to overcome yourself and jump!
Alpe d'Huez, France
Among the ski resorts in France, Alpe d'Huez remains one of the most popular among extremists, featuring the legendary Sarenne run and several other "black" slopes for the most experienced skiers. The Sarenne run starts at the top of the glacier of the same name and stretches for 16 km. The boldest athletes strive to ski the run at night under the moonlight, but without the guidance of an instructor, this romantic adventure can become deadly.
Notably, the Sarenne ski run is not only one of the most dangerous in the world but also the longest in Europe, with part of the descent passing through a tunnel. The difficulties are not due to a steep incline (formally, the angle is not great) but because it goes through a real tunnel in the glacier. Of course, when you approach it, the warm sun shines, and the soft "powder" is under your skis, everything seems wonderful. But as soon as you enter the tunnel, you will have to fight against the ominous cold and ice, and any careless movement will lead to a fall and serious injuries.
It begins on the glacier of the same name and stretches for 16 kilometers. Those who enjoy thrilling experiences can ski down Sarenne at night, under the moonlight, but this should not be done without experienced instructors.
For fans of night skiing, the run is open three times a week, and artificial lighting is turned on at night. For the most experienced athletes, Alpe d'Huez offers 16 "black" runs, two of which are certified by the International Ski Federation and are regularly used for international competitions.
Despite the fact that the resort area is hugely popular among professional athletes, it is also suitable for beginners; moreover, the resort has created ideal conditions for disabled skiers. The resort has 85 mechanical lifts, two excellent snow parks, and numerous entertainment establishments, making it easy to organize a comfortable and exciting vacation here. Visiting the resort is also interesting in the summer, as it attracts mountain biking enthusiasts.
Harakiri, Mayrhofen, Austria
In the ski area of Mayrhofen, there is the steepest slope in Austria with a frighteningly eloquent name, Harakiri, the steepest groomed slope in the world. As can be understood from the ironic yet well-established name of this slope in Tyrol, stepping onto this run is a choice for a determined person. The name of the Austrian slope speaks for itself: skiing down it is as much a suicide as harakiri. The brave are not deterred even by the fact that at one particularly terrifying spot, they must descend at an angle of 78 degrees, which means they will be flying until they land almost at the very bottom (the length of the slope is 1300 meters, with a vertical drop of 376 m). Most avalanche experts worldwide agree that 78 degrees is the critical slope at which snow begins to slide down. Groomers are secured with steel cables that prevent them from sliding down, but you won’t have that luxury. If you fall, you can only get up at the bottom.
However, many are eager to conquer it, as the local tourist office offers souvenirs for such a feat!
If this slope becomes icy, it becomes almost impossible to ski on.
Serious bruises, fractures, and dislocations are just the mildest consequences that inexperienced skiers may face after a swift and short descent. The world-famous athlete Tobias Frankhauser was one of the first to note the advantages of the "black" slope and suggested using it for regular training; he considered successfully conquering the "Harakiri" slope to be the highest sporting achievement. Today, the resort employs a staff of instructors who prepare athletes and anyone interested for the descent down this challenging slope.
Professionals believe that literally anyone with the proper level of training can successfully conquer it; the key is to maintain the correct skiing technique. Today, special warning signs in various languages are installed on one of the most dangerous ski slopes in the world, and instructors and medical personnel are always on duty on the slope. For those who want to ski down the "Harakiri" slope, instructors recommend first trying other "black" runs located at the Mayrhofen resort.
St. Anton, Austria
Austria also has a ski resort worthy of extreme enthusiasts - St. Anton. For those who prefer the riskiest ski slopes, it offers two "black runs" - Kandahar-Kapall and Kandahar-Galzig. Since 1928, these slopes have been a permanent venue for FIS ski races, where the best athletes in the world compete. With an abundance of steep descents and sharp turns, these slopes are considered some of the most challenging; for many unprepared athletes, skiing down them ends tragically.
While on other slopes, warning signs are simply installed, and you are left to determine your own level of preparedness, you can only access this slope after confirming your qualification with local experts. At first, the slope may seem steep but not difficult, with excellent snow cover. However, ahead lies a 700-meter abyss: if a skier gets distracted for even a moment, after one of the left turns, they will fly off onto the rocks.
The St. Anton resort, Austria Besides professional "black" slopes, the resort has many attractive features; it is popular not only among skiers but also among freeriders and lovers of lively entertainment. The resort is famous for its vibrant nightlife, offering nightclubs and discos for every taste. St. Anton is one of the oldest ski resorts in the world, founded back in 1901.
La Grave, France
The tiny resort of La Grave in the French Alps, accessible from the resort of Les Deux Alpes, is a true haven for extreme skiers. For many years, it has been a genuine refuge for extremists. Officially, the resort does not monitor avalanche danger, although the risk of avalanches in winter is always quite high. Most of the slopes can be classified as some of the most difficult in the world, so skiers ski in these areas at their own risk.
Bordering the La Meije glacier, rising 13,000 feet, La Grave undoubtedly offers limitless opportunities for extremists. 7,000 feet vertically with unmarked and unpatrolled avalanche-prone territory, bare rocks, and crevasses tens of meters deep. Once you reach the La Meije glacier, you can choose your own route for descent, just don't forget about the rocks, avalanches, and snowstorms.
To make the descent and stay alive, you will need an extremely experienced guide and special equipment.
Tortin, Verbier, Switzerland
Officially, the slope is classified as medium difficulty; however, there is one caveat: skiing here is only manageable when the snow has just fallen. In other cases, you can seriously injure your knees if the snow, which would provide cushioning, is insufficient. And beware of moguls: if you are not accustomed to jumping over bumps, it is better to find an easier slope.
The Tortin slope in Verbier inspires skiers more or less depending on the snow cover: when winter is generous with snow, you may not even realize why this route is considered difficult and puzzling. But return here when there is less precipitation, and you will see that you were mistaken: the further you go, the steeper the slope becomes, and if in good snow you simply glide down beautifully, the icy "bare" surface will cause your skis to constantly slip.
Large sharp rocks, crevasses, and icy patches that cause skis to slip constantly - overcoming such a challenging path is not within everyone's capabilities, even for professionals. The total length of the slopes available to skiers at the Verbier resort is about 200 km, and more than a quarter of the slopes are "black." Much of the difficulty of certain routes depends on the time of year; in the height of winter, some challenging slopes are completely hidden under a thick layer of snow, allowing athletes with even an average level of preparation to ski on them.
Partly for this reason, extreme enthusiasts prefer to visit the resort in spring when the snow begins to melt, or in autumn when it has not yet concealed all the attractive features of the "black" slopes. The Verbier resort is also appealing for its wide prospects for off-piste skiing; however, it is the legendary "Tortin" slope that has brought it immense fame and popularity among extreme skiers.
Delirium Dive, Canada
In Canada, in Banff National Park, there is a small ski resort called "Sunny Village," where one of the most dangerous ski slopes in the country can be found. "Delirium Dive" runs through an incredibly beautiful yet simultaneously incredibly dangerous mountainous area, and at first glance, not everyone can assess the full complexity and danger of the slope.
From the top of the mountain, it looks like an ordinary slope, one of many at the Canadian resort in Banff National Park. But you cannot see what awaits you ahead, so if you are not confident in your abilities, do not approach this route, which even very experienced and qualified athletes speak of with reverence.
Adding to the fear is the ski patrol's requirement: you can only descend this slope with avalanche beacons, although the avalanche threat is constantly monitored throughout the ski area, and there is no particular danger.
The descent is complicated not only by the abundance of steep turns but also by the high likelihood of avalanches. A ski patrol is on duty on the slope daily, and despite such precautions, athletes are only allowed to descend with special avalanche beacons.
The slope is quite steep, averaging about 50 degrees. The situation is significantly complicated by sharp rocks sticking out from under the snow; because of them, the chance of survival in the event of an avalanche is minimal.
Before heading to one of the most dangerous slopes in Canada, it is essential to check if there is an increased likelihood of avalanches during the specified period; otherwise, the "Delirium Dive" slope may be closed.
Delirium Dive is a classic slope on Goat's Eye Mountain. American and Canadian extremists love to have fun here. The avalanche patrol insists that all skiers heading to the slope must have avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes. But even with a beacon, the chance of surviving under an avalanche approaches zero.
An avalanche will drag you over the sharp rocks sticking out from under the snow like a grater. It is important to note that there is no sports equipment rental in this ski area; all experienced skiers come here with their gear.
Grand Couloir, Courchevel, French Alps
Courchevel is not only three magnificent valleys with luxurious resorts. Here, there is a narrow couloir where you have to work hard to survive.
One of the most famous slopes in the Alps, although finding the entrance to the Couloir is not that easy. The most difficult part of the descent in the Grand Couloir begins at the La Saulire cable car station. You need to overcome a terrifyingly narrow, sometimes icy slope with steep, rocky cliffs on both sides - and this is just the beginning. If there hasn’t been fresh snow for a week or two, the first few turns can be a test of survival.
However, if you overcome all obstacles, a magnificent wide slope with a 35-degree incline opens up before you.
This is the widest and easiest of the three most dangerous and infamous Courchevel routes, the only one currently marked on the map. If the slope becomes heavily icy, you may not notice how you are swept away onto one of the two more challenging descents, Sous Pylons or Emile Allais, which are currently not recommended for skiing. But if that doesn’t happen, the second half of the route will pass along a wide slope and will be calmer.
La Chavanette, Avoriaz, France/Switzerland Border
The name of this slope means little to most skiers, but for the bravest and most reckless, it can trigger an adrenaline rush, as it is one of the fastest and most dangerous descents in the world. This steep descent is full of pitfalls. More precisely, snow-covered, and also ice-crusted giant bumps.
At its start, there is a warning sign "Experts Only" - just this instills a sense of fear in anyone who approaches the dangerous slope. Those who dare to venture onto it will find that the angle is so steep that the slope is invisible. Keep in mind that after a few turns, you will suddenly find yourself on a steep wide mogul slope!
This makes the slope suitable only for very experienced skiers. And even they do best when the snowfall has just ended.
Mad River Glen, Vermont, USA
This ski resort in the Green Mountains of Vermont (this mountain range is considered part of the Appalachians) attracts skiers with the slogan:
“Ski here if you can.”
Indeed, the descent, with an angle of 38 degrees, is characterized by the fact that no one fundamentally maintains it, leaving the snow cover as it is. Skiing among snow-covered, icy trees, the skier must maneuver between bushes and partially frozen waterfalls.
An extreme icon of New England, Paradise begins with an eight-foot cliff, transitioning into a windy, very steep gully overgrown with trees. The gully goes around the cliff through high snowdrifts and icy patches of wild, unkempt terrain with unpredictable snow cover.
Val d'Isère, France
In France, at the popular Val d'Isère resort, there is the famous "Face" ski run, which has attracted the most experienced athletes from around the world for many years. The length of the run is 3,000 meters, and the vertical drop between its starting and ending points is 972 meters, respectively. The "black" run is quite steep, with a maximum incline of 63 degrees.
In general, experienced skiers will not be bored at this resort, as it is here that three-time Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy trained in his youth, after whom the entire ski area is now named "Espace Killy."
This run was built for the men's downhill competition at the 1992 Olympic Games.
It is relatively even in slope; none of its sections stands out as too steep, but to ski down it, you need to master the technique perfectly and have well-sharpened ski edges to avoid slipping on icy sections. And if it is a low-snow year, the run is often broken down to the rocks, increasing the danger.
Considering that the landscape changes frequently and dramatically during movement, it becomes clear why the "Face" run has remained in the spotlight of extremists for many years. It, along with other nearby "black" runs, is a constant training ground for renowned athletes. It is here that Jean-Claude Killy, the three-time Olympic champion, began training, in honor of whom the ski area received its current name "Espace Killy."
Today, Val d'Isère is one of the most prestigious and expensive ski resorts in France, catering to a wide range of guests. Next to professional slopes, there are "green" slopes - ideal for beginners, making the resort suitable even for vacations with small children. For those looking to visit Val d'Isère in search of adrenaline, the slopes located at the very top of the resort area can be recommended. Steep and winding, they will be a great option for those who wish to truly assess their abilities. Further - The "Harakiri" Slope Further - The "Harakiri" Slope
Great Scott, Snowbird, Utah
A slope with a vertical drop of 1,000 feet and a 40-degree incline. The angle of descent is not that terrifying; however, for those who fearlessly step onto this slope, it soon becomes clear that it is not all that simple. The issue lies in the rocks that protrude on the slope covered with the fluffy snow that the Rocky Mountains of Utah are famous for.
Therefore, in poor visibility, it is better to choose another part of the ski resort; otherwise, the sudden change in terrain will be a surprise for you. The annual snowfall here reaches 500 inches, making Snowbird one of the best places for skiing in deep dry snow in the West. However, this does not help much when in proximity to rocks.
Eigerrun, Switzerland
The "Eigerrun," located in the Grindelwald resort in Switzerland, has repeatedly topped the rankings of the most dangerous ski slopes. The slope, which is characterized by an abundance of steep turns and descents, has almost no signs; moreover, in several places, it crosses railway tracks. According to official data, there have been no tragic incidents on the slope to date, but unofficial data suggests otherwise.
Recently, representatives of the ADAC automobile club from Germany assessed the condition of the ski slope, calling the "Eigerrun" nothing less than "defective" and categorizing it among the slopes unsuitable for skiing. Not knowing the location of the railway tracks, one can easily trip over them, and this is just one of the many dangers that await skiing enthusiasts.
Currently, the most dangerous slope is under the management of the Jungfrau railway, whose specialists note that there are quite enough warning signals on the slope. Athletes who decide to ski down the "Eigerrun" for the first time are strongly advised to do so with a guide.
You can fall and sustain a serious injury here literally in an open space, and the cause may not be slippery ice but rather the old railway tracks.
Kvitfjell, Norway
Norway is famous for its calm family resorts, not every one of which is notable for having even "red" slopes, but the slope in Kvitfjell - a resort equipped for the Lillehammer Olympics - is not only marked with an atypical black color, it is almost vertical! If you watch ski competitions, you have surely seen it on television.
The main difficulty for athletes is the steep incline; in some sections, the slope is practically vertical. Every year, the most challenging slope in Norway hosts a stage of the World Cup in downhill skiing, and during times free from competitions, the slope is also accessible to amateur athletes; however, skiing on it without extensive training is not recommended.
The Kvitfjell resort is a true sports landmark in Norway, founded in 1994 specifically for the Lillehammer Olympics. Within a few years, its infrastructure was maximally improved, and today guests of the resort have access to more than 20 slopes, including three "black" ones. The resort features a well-developed hotel infrastructure and a first-class ski school, making it an interesting place to visit not only for professionals but also for beginners. A few years ago, the resort's "extreme infrastructure" was supplemented with a new ski cross slope, which is 650 meters long. This challenging descent with steep turns and jumps is used for training by the Norwegian national alpine skiing team.
Santa Caterina - Valfurva, Italy
The miniature resort of Santa Caterina - Valfurva is located in a fairy-tale beautiful natural setting - within the Stelvio National Park. The resort is surrounded by picturesque forests, which are incredibly interesting for skiing in winter and for hiking and biking in summer.
Although this resort on the slope of Cresta Sobretta in the scenic areas of the national park is usually recommended for intermediate-level athletes and most of its slopes are "red," experienced skiers are magnetically attracted to Cevedale, a famous descent where annual competitions - a stage of the World Cup - are held.
The most challenging descent with many steep inclines is considered one of the most extreme in Italy.
One of the main features of the resort is the thermal springs located on its territory, near which modern wellness centers have been opened. The duration of the skiing season at the resort is also quite long; on some high-altitude slopes, skiing is possible from mid-November to the end of May. Santa Caterina - Valfurva is not just an attractive resort for extreme entertainment enthusiasts, but also a very picturesque place where you can relax healthily at any time of the year.
Note: Nearby, there are two other quite interesting "black" slopes, Bucaneve and Adler.
Wengen, Switzerland
This high-altitude resort, belonging to the Jungfrau region, is famous for the Lauberhorn-Rennen World Cup race, held on the eponymous challenging and winding "black" route - one of the longest downhill slopes in the world (its length is 4455 meters with a vertical drop of over a kilometer). Its upper section is not difficult, but athletes reaching the passage between the rocks are in for a surprise: the character changes sharply. However, the most challenging section is at the very finish: the final descent is extremely steep and usually covered in ice.
The upper section of the slope is relatively easy and suitable for training even for intermediate-level athletes, but closer to the middle of the slope, the difficult sections increase. The descent becomes incredibly steep, passing through rocks and ending with an extremely steep final descent, which is almost constantly covered in ice. The Wengen resort is considered one of the most picturesque in Switzerland, with suitable slopes for beginners, intermediate skiers, and true professionals.
One of the main attractive features of Wengen is its unique ecology; there is no vehicular traffic at the resort, so the air remains crystal clear. The skiing season at the resort usually starts in mid-December and lasts until the end of April; in addition to skiing, guests have access to a multitude of entertainment options. Year-round, the resort has a special curling hall and an ice rink, and in summer, guests can enjoy tennis courts and mini-golf fields. Wengen is also not lacking in traditional entertainment infrastructure, featuring restaurants, colorful bars and discos, a cinema, and even a concert hall.
