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Five very scary ski runs
If you're fit, experienced and have really good health insurance, consider making a winter run down one of America's five scariest black diamond ski runs.
Thu, Dec 22 2011 at 4:38 PM
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ON THE EDGE: A view from the edge of Corbet's Couloir in Jackson Hole, Wyo. When you push off to begin this run, you push off into a 20-foot freefall. (Photo: trpnblies7/Flickr)
You make think snow is made mostly of water. But dumped on the right terrain, the fluffy white stuff is about 60 percent adrenalin. Breath-taking drops, rocks and trees that threaten life and limb and the power of gravity combine with crisp white snow to create hairy, scary, black diamond ski runs.
If you’re fit, experienced and have really good health insurance, consider making a winter run down one of America’s five scariest black diamond ski runs.
Black Hole – Smuggler’s Notch, Vt.
Touted as the only triple black diamond run in the Eastern United States, the Black Hole is steep — a 53-degree pitch — and offers glade skiing at its most intense. Not only do you have to keep from falling, you have to keep from slamming into a pine tree. Here's a tip: Don’t look at the trees; look at the white space between them.
Corbet’s Couloir – Jackson Hole, Wyo.
While many skiers bomb down the slopes hoping to “catch some air,” you have no choice but to catch some BIG air on this legendary run (at right), frequently mentioned on lists of most extreme black diamond ski runs. When you push off to begin this run, you push off into a 20-foot freefall. Once your skis hit snow, you must control your descent down a 45-degree slope.
Great Scott – Snowbird, Utah
Little Cottonwood Canyon gets about 500 inches of dry, powdery snow each season, but that doesn’t do much to cushion a fall on this run. Steep at 40 degrees or so, Great Scott is an obstacle course of rocks and trees. And you likely won’t be able to see below your knees because of the deep powder.
Paradise – Mad River Glen, Vt.
Forty percent of the terrain at this New England skiing icon is rated expert, which explains the bumper sticker: "Mad River Glen. Ski it if you can." Paradise begins with an eight-foot drop and continues through a steep obstacle course of trees, rocks and, often, ice. (This is East Coast skiing after all.)
Rambo – Crested Butte, Colo.
This resort in southwestern Colorado boasts 542 acres of in-bounds, double-black diamond terrain. Plenty of runs for thrill junkies. Rambo earns its manly moniker by being crazy steep — a 55-degree slope. If you’re wearing a hat, you’ll lose it here.
Know of other scary ski runs in the U.S. or around the globe? Leave us a note in the comments below.
Also on MNN:
- What's the story behind fake snow?
- Best environmental photos of 2011
- 12 verging-on-crazy winter sports
Photos: pixculture/Flickr; dpstyles™/Flickr
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Oh boy, can't wait to try these!
Avalanche Chute 2 off the top of Lincoln Peak at Mammoth Mountain in California is the scariest run I've ever skied. It's also why I no longer listen to my brother when he says "follow me, I know a great run".
Just about ALL the runs at Whitewater near Nelson BC, All of the Eagle chutes and Paradise Glades at Lake Louise ski area, Alberta and Knix Knox at Loveland Basin in Colorado.
Couloir Extreme at Whistler/Blackcomb. Nothing like making turns literally feet from a 300 foot sheer drop.
Enter your comments
No Sunday River in Maine? White Heat is a monster.
Are you kidding? I ski'd white heat the second time ever skiing. Fell a few times :-)
I have great respect for the mogul skiers but White Heat isn't that steep. The flat side is typical black diamond fare.
White Heat? Seriously? It's steep by East Coast standards but it isn't a difficult trail and if you fall you aren't going to get hurt....
White Heat is a rip-off of Sugarloaf's White Nitro. While they both may be steep, thats it. I can ski White Heat switch. The Coulair Extreme at Whistler is way, way, way, way harder to ski. Whats that to your right? Oh, just a 500 ft plummet to certain death. The biggest drop on the east coast is if you fall off the lift.
No KT22?
Sqwaw has nothin on Teton Village
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