Skiing is inherently an adventurous and risky activity, but some ski resorts stand out for their aggressive terrain, unpredictable conditions, or high-altitude challenges. Though these resorts present a different level of danger, your risk will be rewarded with exhilarating runs and exceptional views.
These ski resorts are best left to the experts:
1. La Grave, France
Known for its extreme off-piste terrain, La Grave has no marked trails or ski patrol, just untouched alpine wilderness. Avalanches, crevasses, and steep couloirs are constant threats.
Still, Vallons de la Meije, the area’s two classic runs, attract adrenaline-seeking skiers with a descent that spans over 2,000 meters (6,400 feet) of vertical drop through glaciers and rock formations.
2. Corbet’s Couloir (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA)
Corbet’s Couloir has been dubbed “America’s scariest ski slope” for a reason. This run is a near-vertical drop-in that requires skiers to essentially free-fall for a few seconds before navigating a narrow chute. A misstep can lead to serious injury.
3. Delirium Dive (Sunshine Village, Canada)
Situated in Banff National Park, Delirium Dive offers jaw-dropping alpine views for those brave enough to descend.
To access this expert-only area, skiers need an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. With terrifying steepness, cliffs, and deep powder, this technical run does not leave room for error.
4. Harakiri (Mayrhofen, Austria)
The name “Harakiri” is a nod to the dark Japanese ritual of the same name, giving a clue about the challenges ahead.
Harakiri boasts a 78% gradient, making it one of the steepest groomed runs in the world. Icy conditions and the sheer incline test even the most advanced skiers.
5. Streif (Kitzbühel, Austria)
This downhill racing course is one of the most challenging on the professional circuit. It features a maximum gradient of 85%, blind jumps, and speeds over 140 km/h (87 mph). Highly experienced amateurs are welcome to conquer this tricky professional route outside of race times.
6. Chamonix (France)
Home to the Vallée Blanche, a 20-kilometer (12-mile) off-piste run that traverses glaciers and crevasses, Chamonix is famous for its high-altitude dangers. The Mont Blanc massif offers breathtaking views and some of the most technical ski terrain in the Alps.
Though Chamonix has plenty of tricky terrain, this glitzy ski village also has some lower-gradient slopes for beginners, allowing those traveling with skiers of various expertise to find something for everyone.
7. Silverton Mountain (Colorado, USA)
At Silverton, there are no bunny slopes, no easy greens, and definitely no wide, forgiving blues. The entire mountain is advanced or expert-only, with the easiest gradient being 35 degrees (30 degrees is considered steep at most ski areas). The backcountry ski area operates with a single chairlift.
If you choose to face the challenge, you’ll be greeted by guided runs through untouched powder and thrilling descents in a pristine wilderness setting.
8. Verbier (Switzerland)
Verbier is known for its exorbitant off-piste terrain, including the legendary Tortin run, which is a mogul-filled, steep descent that challenges the best skiers.
At Verbier’s lofty altitude, weather can change in the blink of an eye. Clear, sunny skies can turn into swirling snowstorms, whiteouts, or fierce winds that limit visibility and amplify the resort’s already considerable dangers.
9. Gulmarg (India)
India may not be top of mind as a covetable ski destination, however, the opportunity to speed down 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) with a view of the surrounding peaks may change that.
Located in the Himalayas, Gulmarg offers some of the deepest powder in the world. However, visitors should exercise caution. This ski area is prone to avalanches, and the infrastructure can be less reliable than that of Western resorts.
10. Whistler Blackcomb’s Peak to Creek (Canada)
Peak to Creek is a staggering 11 kilometers (7 miles) long, making it one of the longest runs in North America. The descent covers over 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) of vertical drop, which means skiers must navigate an unrelenting combination of steep pitches, narrow sections, and leg-burning terrain.
As a result, fatigue becomes one of the biggest dangers on this run. Even seasoned skiers have found themselves battling exhaustion by the time they reach the bottom.
11. The Big Couloir at Big Sky (Montana, USA)
The Lone Peak Tram gives access to some of the most extreme skiable terrain in North America, including “Big Couloir,” which requires a beacon and expert skills.
The combination of vertical drops, exposed cliffs, and backcountry risks on this run make it both exciting and treacherous.
12. Mad River Glen (Vermont, USA)
Known for being the only ski area on the National Register of Historic Places, this East Coast destination lives by the motto, “Ski It If You Can.”
Mad River Glen has made itself a cult-favorite with highly advanced skiers for its retro feel and tricky terrain, inclusive of ungroomed trails, narrow chutes, and heart-pumping moguls.
13. Mount Baker (Washington, USA)
Mount Baker holds the record for most snowfall ever recorded in a single season—an unbelievable 1,140 inches (95 feet) in 1998-1999. The massive snowfall this mountain receives is ideal for powder enthusiasts but adds to the mountain’s danger, creating high avalanche risk.
Iconic lines like Hemispheres and Shuksan Arm lure advanced skiers with the promise of steep descents, but they require technical precision, local knowledge, and avalanche gear. Even small miscalculations can lead to serious consequences.
14. Niseko Backcountry (Japan)
The Niseko resort offers some of the best powder skiing in the world, but its backcountry terrain is not for the inexperienced. One of Niseko’s main attractions, the Goshiki Onsen backcountry, is also one of its most hazardous. Avalanches across the resort’s backcountry are a constant threat, particularly in unpatrolled areas like the Annupuri bowls and the steep slopes of Moiwa.
Even if you just stick to the resort’s easier terrains, spending a day skiing through the famous “Japow” (Japanese powder) and soaking in an onsen afterward is rewarding for all.
15. Cerro Catedral (Argentina)
Cerro Catedral offers a vast expanse of groomed slopes, but its off-piste terrain stacks up as some of the world’s most risky. Peaks like Pico Bellavista offer awe-inspiring views of the Nahuel Huapi Lake below, but the steep terrain is unforgiving. Tree wells in forested areas pose suffocation risks, and natural crevices in the snow can trap the unsuspecting.
The Freestyle Zone and areas beyond the resort’s ridge lines are notorious for avalanche activity, making it essential to carry a beacon, probe, and shovel—and to know how to use them.
These US ski resorts are great for all ability levels
You don’t need to be a risk-taking expert to enjoy several of the United States’ most thrilling ski destinations. There are tons of resorts that offer runs for skiers from bunny hill beginners to backcountry mavens.
13 Essential US Ski Trips for All Skill Levels
These charming alpine towns don’t require skiing
Europe’s most enchanting mountain villages have so much to enjoy that you might not want to ski at all.
15 Charming Alpine Towns In Europe To Cozy Up In This Season
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
