The most challenging ski runs in the world

Once you've reached a sufficiently high level in your skiing, you start looking for truly challenging ski runs to get that much sought-after adrenaline rush. There are several legendary descents known for their steepness and high risk factor, found all over the world, although the most famous ones are concentrated in the Alps and North American ski resorts.

Here, we will go through ten of the most well-known and talked-about ski runs in the world. The list below is not a ranking-each of these runs has its own unique challenges and difficulties and cannot be directly compared. How many of these have you skied?

1. La Chavanette, Switzerland/France - The Swiss Wall

We begin with the legendary run La Chavanette, also known as "The Swiss Wall." This run is located right on the border between Switzerland and France, in one of the world's largest ski areas - Portes du Soleil. Normally, black runs are considered the hardest, but due to its extreme difficulty, this one is classified as orange, a step above black. At the top, the slope is a staggering 50 percent and features massive moguls. The icy conditions and narrow passages make it even more dangerous, leaving no room for major mistakes. This run is an unforgiving test of your technical skill.

2. Harakiri, Austria

In the Austrian ski resort of Mayrhofen, you'll find the Harakiri run, known as one of the steepest groomed runs in the world. The steepest sections reach a jaw-dropping 78(!) percent incline! The name of the run originates from the Japanese term for ritual suicide, which might give a hint about its difficulty. To groom this slope, winches are required to prevent the snowcats from tipping over. Many skiers who make a mistake and fall are unable to stop themselves, sliding uncontrollably to gentler sections. Here, exceptional technique, strong legs, and good balance are required to make it down without falling.

3. Corbet's Couloir, Wyoming, USA

Jackson Hole in Wyoming, USA, is one of the world's most popular ski resorts for skilled and experienced skiers. Here, you'll find Corbet's Couloir, also nicknamed "America's Scariest Ski Run." The legendary feature of this run is its initial couloir, which presents a near-vertical 10 to 20-meter drop. This section varies depending on snow conditions-it can be extremely icy, and the exposed rocks and unpredictable moguls make it even more challenging. This is definitely not for beginners, and hardly for the faint-hearted, as total fearlessness is required to make it down in one piece.

4. Delirium Dive, Alberta, Canada

For our next run, we head north to Canada and find Delirium Dive in Sunshine Village in the Banff region. This run is in an avalanche-controlled off-piste zone, and skiers are required to carry proper avalanche equipment, including a beacon, probe, and shovel. In addition to its steepness, the run is filled with cliffs and rocky outcroppings, making it one of the most challenging descents in North America. The snow is usually deep here, which can soften falls but also make hidden rocks and sudden drops harder to detect. Its varied nature demands strong freeriding skills and solid avalanche awareness.

5. Grand Couloir, France

One of the most notorious runs in the French Alps can be found in Courchevel. Grand Couloir is a narrow run with steep, often icy sections that test even the most experienced skiers. Unlike many other runs on this list, it is accessible by lift. The entrance is particularly tricky and requires precise edge control, while the slope itself can be unpredictable due to changing weather and snow conditions.

6. Streif, Austria

Streif is the most famous of all the runs listed here-perhaps not by name, but if we mention Hahnenkamm, it might ring a bell. Hahnenkamm is the mountain where Streif is located, and it hosts the world's most renowned downhill race in the ski resort of Kitzbühel. This run is considered the most dangerous in the Alpine World Cup. The descent features, among other things, the Mausefalle ("Mouse Trap") jump, where skiers fly through the air at high speeds. The combination of steep drops, tight turns, and extreme speeds makes it intimidating even for professional racers and highly experienced skiers.

7. Piste de l'Inferno, Switzerland

In the well-known Swiss ski resort of Mürren, we find Piste de l'Inferno, originally created for the Inferno Race, the longest and most demanding amateur ski race in the world. The first race was held as far back as 1928. The run is nearly 15 kilometres long, and although large parts of it are manageable for experienced skiers, the combination of steep sections, varying snow conditions, and endurance requirements make it a true test.

8. The Fingers, California, USA

Back to North America, this time in California. In the ski resort of Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley), we find The Fingers, a series of rocky chutes best known among extreme skiers. This is not a run you descend traditionally due to its rugged terrain, but it attracts many freeriders who love (and dare) to launch off cliffs and handle tight landings. Exceptional technique is required here, making it perfect for those who want to push their limits.

9. Bec des Rosses, Switzerland

In Verbier, Switzerland, we find Bec des Rosses, well known to those who follow the Freeride World Tour, as the season always concludes on this run. It offers a wild mix of cliffs, couloirs, and exposed rock faces, forcing skiers to make split-second decisions and adjust their descent lines on the fly. This is one of the most varied runs on this list in terms of terrain, demanding both high skill and nerves of steel.

10. Silver King, Utah, USA

We conclude the list with Silver King, located in Snowbird, Utah, USA. This is a steep, open run with shifting snow conditions and frequent deep powder. While it does not have the same extreme vertical drop as some other runs, the deep snow, exposed nature, avalanche risk, and large cornices make it a formidable challenge. It is a favourite among many American freeriders who seek untouched powder combined with technically demanding terrain.

Final thoughts

These are 10 of the most challenging ski runs, and it's not just about steepness-it's also about varied terrain, changing snow conditions, and the technical demands they impose. Each run presents its own unique challenges, offering adrenaline rushes in different ways while testing a skier's technical skills and endurance. These runs are reserved for skiers and snowboarders who have the skill and experience required to conquer nature's most formidable terrain.