There’s a couple of method to method snowboarding. Some are in it for the approach to life—apres, fur coats, that complete deal—others benefit from the sport itself. In that latter camp are people who don’t simply ski for enjoyable—they prefer to push themselves, doubtlessly securing bragging rights within the course of. If that’s you, you’re in the correct place.
As you’re studying, you may discover that you just aren’t seeing any critical huge mountain zones like McConkey’s and Corbet’s Couloir. Why? We already did that, and needed to cowl on-piste, minimize runs. Second, this record would not simply cowl the standard suspects. Damnation at Mt. La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a regional standout, even when it is tame in comparison with actually gnarly snowboarding out West or East. Lastly, what’s difficult to 1 skier is perhaps simple to a different, however these trails all share one factor in frequent—they’re dang enjoyable.
1. Rambo—Crested Butte, Colorado
Rambo, an notorious path at Crested Butte, Colorado, is hard to beat. It’s been known as the steepest minimize run in North America, which is smart given its 55-degree pitch. All informed, the plunge is over fairly shortly, however alongside the way in which, you’ll tangle with shrubs, moguls, and rocks. There are leg burners, after which there’s Rambo.
2. The Streif—Kitzbühel, Austria
The Streif is so nutty the World Cup makes use of it as a premier race course. A part of the yearly Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel, Austria, the iced-up run is taken into account one of many World Cup’s most difficult. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped race organizers from opening it as much as the general public after the racers are finished. One video, which has garnered 1000’s of views, reveals common skiers making an attempt to outlive the primary pitch of The Streif. How does it go? For essentially the most half, not properly.
3. Freefall—Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
Positioned skier’s proper of the Madonna Raise, Freefall is a Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont, check piece. Its higher part is correct sketchy with protruding rocks and common gusts of wind. Welcome wind safety is on the market decrease down, however, as is East Coast custom, the ice typically stays. Smuggler’s Notch has different runs with obligatory airs that ratchet up the gnarly issue, however Freefall is the place to start out notching your belt.
4. Harakiri—Mayrhofen Ski Space, Austria
Harakiri is depraved steep. Discovered on Mount Penken in Austria’s Mayrhofen Ski Space, the run is groomed with a particular snowcat setup that makes use of a winch, and a blurb on the ski space’s web site notes that “Getting ready the slope with synthetic snow could be very sophisticated as a result of the snow tends to slip down the slope.” Meaning one factor—if you happen to slip on Harakiri, you’re going for a experience. Be sure that these edges are tuned earlier than taking this one on.
5. Blazing Elk—Crystal Mountain, Washington
Blazing Elk, at Crystal Mountain, Washington, feels purpose-built for straight strains (comply with relevant guidelines of conduct, individuals!). It’s a fast pitch adopted by a protracted, almost flat slope that’ll require some skating if you happen to don’t preserve your velocity up. Whereas that flat portion means you’ll have time to get your velocity again in test, it provides one other difficult aspect to Blazing Elk: there’s a imply compression to cope with. For straight-line-minded skiers, Crystal Mountain gives up one other run with an analogous format—Little Portillo.
6. White Warmth—Sunday River, Maine
White Warmth is a Sunday River, Maine, basic. In 2024, it performed host to the triumphant return of Bust N’ Burn, a freestyle competitors hosted by none apart from Donny Pelletier, Maine’s Most interesting Athlete. Outdoors of the competitors, White Warmth serves up that rush we’re all on the lookout for. Click on in and let ’em run.
7. Damnation—Mt. La Crosse, Wisconsin
With a reputation like Damnation, it’s cheap to count on hearth, brimstone, and unrelenting steeps, however keep in mind, that is Mt. La Crosse, Wisconsin, we’re speaking about. That isn’t to say Damnation is a slouch, although. For the midwest, it’s difficult and wouldn’t be the place to take a newbie skier. For the extra superior crowd, Damnation gives an opportunity to essentially crank the speedometer.
8. Regulator Johnson—Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird, Utah, is perhaps generally known as a freeride mecca, nevertheless it has loads of choices for skiers seeking to take the racing whips for a spin, together with Regulator Johnson. The path’s steep, extensive, and simply accessed from the Little Cloud chair or the Aerial Tram.
9. Birds of Prey—Beaver Creek, Colorado
Famed downhill race programs aren’t only a European factor. At Beaver Creek, Colorado, the Birds of Prey occasion pushes racers to their restrict—and gives skiers hoping to check their mettle a chance. The downhill course, which begins on the prime of the Cinch Categorical Raise, hits a most steepness of 32 levels. Certain, that’s lower than Rambo, however if you happen to think about the programs’ vertical drop—2,470 toes—the equation seems to be a bit totally different. Within the snowboarding world, it’s a marathon.
Associated: Finest Crossover Resort/Ski Touring Boots of 2025
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