5 Most Dangerous Ski Trails
If you’re a winter sportsman and an adrenalist, and you haven’t skied at least one of these bad boys, you need to familiarize yourself…and then make some plane reservations.
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1. Tortin, Verbier, Switzerland
If it’s been a snowy season and the ground’s properly coated, you’ll likely be fine. But (and this is a big but) if you’re traversing anything less than perfect powder, you’d better be ready to conquer maddening ice moguls that will have you butt-sliding for hundreds of yards. -
2. Backside of the Valluga, St Anton, Austria
While not the most technically challenging of slopes, skiers can’t attack it without a mountain guide. Why? One sharp left that drops 700 meters down to a sea of jagged rocks. If you can make it past that point (about half way down), the rest of the way is smooth sailing. How good’s your balance? -
3. Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, US
As with Valluga, this run earns its rep because of one panic-inducing trait. Unlike Backside of Valluga, it comes at the very start. Before they can kick off an overall manageable slope, skiers must choose between a 4-ft vertical jump over rocks or a bone-shaking 6-ft jump at the trail head. -
4. Grand Couloir, Courchevel-France
Moguls. Lots of ‘em. And they’re really really hard. -
5. Delirium Dive, Sunshine Village-Canada
Aside from angles that allow for near g-force speeds, ski patrol demands all skiers carry an avalanche transceiver and a shovel. So. Yeah. For true adrenalists only.
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