The Most Difficult Ski Run in the World: An Unforgettable Challenge on the Slopes

Voting rules: Choose the Slope you think is the most difficult!

Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 5, 2023 06:37)

Calling all adrenaline junkies and ski enthusiasts! We've put together a heart-pumping, nerve-wracking ranking of the most difficult ski runs in the world, and now it's your turn to vote for the ultimate thrill-seeker's paradise. From the jaw-dropping steeps of La Chavanette to the notorious Corbet's Couloir, we've captured the essence of what makes these formidable slopes the ultimate challenge for any skier. So, if you think you've conquered the most daring descents or simply want to marvel at the sheer audacity of these icy behemoths, cast your vote now and help us crown the king of extreme ski runs. Don't see your spine-chilling favorite on the list? Fear not! You can also suggest a missing option to ensure no slope is left behind in the quest for the most exhilarating, white-knuckle ride on the planet. Strap on your skis, take a deep breath, and let the games begin!

What Is the Most Difficult Ski Run in the World?

1

91
votes
La Grave, France

The entire area is unmarked, ungroomed, and has no ski patrol. It is considered the ultimate challenge for expert skiers.
Description

La Grave, France is known as one of the most difficult ski resorts in the world. Located in the French Alps, it offers a unique and challenging experience for advanced skiers and snowboarders. The resort is characterized by its rugged terrain, steep slopes, and off-piste opportunities. La Grave is renowned for its lack of groomed runs, marked trails, and ski patrol. It attracts thrill-seekers and experts who are looking for an adrenaline rush in a raw and uncontrolled mountain environment.

Location: French Alps, France

Terrain: Rugged and steep

Groomed Runs: None

Marked Trails: None

Ski Patrol: Limited
La Grave, France in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult ski resort in the world
2

37
votes
Enricokamasa · Public domain

Corbet's Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Barry Corbet

This narrow, steep chute requires a mandatory cliff drop at the entrance and is known for its unforgiving terrain.
Description

Corbet's Couloir is a legendary and notoriously challenging ski run located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It is considered one of the most difficult ski resort experiences in America, attracting advanced and expert skiers seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure. The couloir was named after local mountaineer and ski patroller, Barry Corbet, who first identified and skied the run in the early 1960s.

Difficulty: Extremely challenging

Steepness: Slope angle exceeding 50 degrees

Terrain type: Narrow and rocky chute

Drop-in: Requires a mandatory cliff drop at the entry

Snow conditions: Variable, often featuring deep powder or moguls
Corbet's Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult ski resort in America
3

21
votes
Michael Fleischhacker · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Streif, Kitzbühel, Austria

Austrian Ski Federation

This downhill race course has a maximum gradient of 85 degrees and includes several jumps and technical turns.
Description

The Streif is a legendary ski slope located in Kitzbühel, Austria. It is renowned as one of the most difficult and challenging ski runs in the world, attracting top skiers and adrenaline junkies alike. The slope is part of the annual Hahnenkamm downhill race, a prestigious event on the FIS World Cup circuit.

Location: Kitzbühel, Austria

Slope Length: 3.3 kilometers

Maximum Gradient: 85%

Average Gradient: 27%

Vertical Drop: 860 meters
The Streif, Kitzbühel, Austria in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult ski resort in the world
4

21
votes
Harakiri, Mayrhofen, Austria

The steepest groomed slope in the world, with a gradient of 78%, and is only for the most experienced skiers.
Description

The Harakiri is known as one of the most challenging ski runs in the world. Located in Mayrhofen, Austria, it offers a thrilling and demanding experience for advanced skiers and adrenaline seekers. The slope's name, Harakiri, is derived from the Japanese word for ritual suicide by samurai. This name perfectly captures the extreme nature of the run.

Location: Mayrhofen, Austria

Difficulty: Expert

Slope Length: 1,500 meters

Vertical Drop: 375 meters

Maximum Gradient: 78 degrees
5

19
votes
Oga from ja, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publishes it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0

Mount Yotei, Hokkaido, Japan

This backcountry run is known for its deep powder and steep chutes, making it a challenge for even the most experienced skiers.
Description

Mount Yotei is a challenging ski run located in Hokkaido, Japan. It is considered one of the most difficult ski runs in the world and attracts expert skiers and snowboarders seeking an adrenaline-filled experience. The terrain on Mount Yotei is steep and varied, with deep powder, narrow chutes, moguls, and obstacles that require technical skills to navigate.

Location: Hokkaido, Japan

Difficulty Level: Expert

Terrain: Steep, deep powder, narrow chutes, moguls

Length: Varies

Vertical Drop: Varies
6

14
votes
Aiguille Rouge, Les Arcs, France

Les Arcs ski resort

With a vertical drop of 7,000 feet, this run is one of the longest in the world and includes steep pitches and moguls.
Description

The Aiguille Rouge is considered one of the most difficult ski runs in the world. It is located in Les Arcs, France, providing an exhilarating challenge for expert skiers.

Mountain Range: French Alps

Elevation: 3,226 meters (10,584 ft)

Slope Length: 7 kilometers (4.3 miles)

Difficulty: Expert

Terrain: Narrow and steep
7

11
votes
Grand Couloir, Courchevel, France

This narrow chute requires a 50-foot cliff drop to enter and has a maximum gradient of 85 degrees.
Description

The Grand Couloir in Courchevel, France, is widely regarded as one of the most difficult ski runs in the world. It is a challenging and thrilling descent that should only be attempted by expert skiers and snowboarders.

Location: Courchevel, France

Difficulty Level: Expert

Run Type: Couloir

Terrain: Steep and Narrow

Vertical Drop: Approximately 670 meters (2,200 feet)
8

10
votes
Delirium Dive, Banff, Canada

This backcountry area includes steep chutes, cliffs, and tight trees, making it a challenge for even the most experienced skiers.
Description

Delirium Dive is known as one of the most challenging ski runs in the world. Located in Banff, Canada, it offers an extreme skiing experience for advanced and expert skiers. The steep and unforgiving terrain, coupled with unpredictable weather conditions, make it a thrilling but demanding adventure.

Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada

Elevation: 2,730 meters (8,957 feet)

Vertical drop: 390 meters (1,280 feet)

Difficulty: Extremely difficult (double black diamond)

Terrain: Steep and challenging with rock bands, cliffs, and narrow chutes
9

5
votes
The Fingers, Squaw Valley, California

This steep, technical run includes several narrow chutes and requires expert skiing ability.
Description

The Fingers in Squaw Valley, California is widely regarded as one of the most difficult ski runs in the world. It is a legendary double-black diamond run that pushes even the most seasoned skiers to their limits. The run gets its name from the steep and narrow chutes that resemble fingers. It offers an exhilarating and challenging skiing experience for those brave enough to attempt it.

Location: Squaw Valley, California

Difficulty level: Double-black diamond

Terrain: Steep and narrow chutes

Length: Varies depending on route

Vertical drop: Approximately 2,000 feet (610 meters)
10

11
votes
The Wall, Kirkwood, California

This steep, mogul-covered run has a maximum gradient of 37 degrees and is known for its challenging terrain.
Description

The Wall is widely considered one of the most difficult ski runs in the world. Located in Kirkwood, California, it offers an extreme and challenging experience for expert skiers. The run starts from the summit of Kirkwood Mountain at an elevation of 9,800 feet, and descends over 2,000 vertical feet in just one mile. The steepness of the slope coupled with its narrow width makes it a thrilling and adrenaline-pumping ride. The Wall is known for its variable and unpredictable conditions, often featuring deep powder, moguls, icy patches, and tight chutes. It requires exceptional control, agility, and technique to navigate successfully.

Location: Kirkwood, California

Elevation at Start: 9,800 feet

Vertical Descent: 2,000 feet

Distance: 1 mile

Steepness: Extremely steep

Missing your favorite Slope?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult ski run

Terrain

The type of terrain also plays a crucial role in determining the difficulty of a ski run. This includes the presence of moguls, cliffs, narrow chutes, ice, rocks, and other obstacles that skiers need to navigate.
Snow conditions

Good snow conditions can make a challenging ski run more manageable, while icy or slushy snow can increase the difficulty level. Powder snow, crusty snow, and hard-packed snow all pose different challenges.
Altitude

High-altitude ski runs may pose added challenges due to thinner air and decreased oxygen levels, which can affect skiers' physical performance and mental alertness.
Length

Longer ski runs require greater physical endurance and can be more challenging, especially if they also feature steep or difficult terrain.
Exposure

Ski runs with considerable exposure to falls or avalanches pose greater risks and are generally more challenging.
Technical requirements

Some ski runs may require specific skiing techniques or specialized equipment to navigate successfully, increasing the challenge for the skier.
Accessibility

The difficulty of reaching the ski run, such as requiring a hike or off-piste skiing to access, can add to the overall challenge.
Weather

Stormy or high-wind weather conditions can make a ski run more difficult by affecting visibility, snow conditions, and overall safety.
Popularity

Busy or crowded ski runs can make skiing more challenging due to increased potential for collisions and difficulty in maintaining a controlled skiing speed.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult ski run in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Slope is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2435 views
240 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Slope once every 24 hours. The rank of each Slope is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult ski run in the world

Skiing is an exhilarating sport that attracts millions of enthusiasts worldwide. From the Alps to the Rockies, skiers seek out the world's most challenging slopes to test their skills and push their limits. And when it comes to challenging ski runs, few compare to the world's most difficult ski runs. These ski runs are not for the faint of heart, as they require expert skiing skills, nerves of steel, and a healthy dose of courage. From steep inclines to narrow paths, these ski runs are designed to push skiers to their limits and provide an unforgettable skiing experience. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most challenging ski runs in the world and explore what makes them so difficult. So buckle up and get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride through the world's most challenging ski runs.