Jackson Hole
Top 10 Resorts
Whistler/Blackcomb Alta Aspen Squaw valley Alyeska Crested Butte Taos
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Jackson Hole |
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Jackson Hole has by far the steepest and most hair-raising terrain in America. The gut-tightening narrows of Corbet's Couloir reach drops above sixty degrees. More than half of the runs are for experts only. Jackson Hole also has the third highest vertical in the U.S. which contains very few bail out trails, so once your going down, there is no turning back. |
| Whistler/Blackcomb is the mega-complex with the biggest verticals and hip-dragging steeps and it has earned its position in second place. It has everything from fifty degree couloirs to an endless series of heart-pumping bowls. Some of Whistler/Blackcomb's Ruby Bowls have been known as burial grounds for skiers. Although only 25% of the runs are for experts, it is more than enough to handle. |
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Alta, a ski resort in Utah, will surely please the expert skier. The terrain varies from five foot wide chutes to fall away glades and cliffs. The slopes range from 40 degree to 50 degree steeps which, if you don't know, is incredibly steep. The vertical drop, which is 2,020 feet, may seem small, but when your focused on surviving the run, it seems like a long time. |
| Aspen isn't exactly pancake-flat. There is much white-knuckle terrain to be found. The ultra-steep shots include Steeplechase Bowl and the northwest-facing Olympic Bowl. With the new opening of the Highland Bowl, there are many more 45 degree steeps to be tackled. With a 3,267 foot vertical, this has become a choice resort for steeps. |
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Squaw Valley California has an abundance of rugged steeps. Of the six peaks, KT-22 is the most preferred with its multiple pitches of 50 degree chutes. With a 2,850 foot vertical, this little playground encourages you to go big. |
| When the choppers aren't flyin' head to Alyeska resort, Alaska for some of the steepest treeless terrain in the country. Although the drops may be closer to 50 degrees than 60 degrees, the North Face's Holiday Chutes will surely get your heart pumping. The 2,500 foot vertical of endless steeps will surely please the elite skier. |
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Crested Butte doesn't hold the U.S. extreme championships for nothing. With a vertical drop of 2,775 feet and over 57% of the runs for expert skiers only, the skier must keep his skills sharp. The terrain here is so steep, you would be afraid to tell your mom that you were skiing it. As the years pass, this Colorado resort is increasing its extreme skiing. |
| A skier at Taos can spend days carving out endless chutes. With a vertical drop of 2,612 feet, this resort is not for the beginner skier. Taos' 40 degree funnel and twisted drops offer no way out. West Ridge's 50 degree couloirs are so steep, you are airborne half of the time. As you may see, Taos has outstanding expert terrain. |
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Kirkwood's superior steeps are just a short hike from the main ski area. With a 2,000 foot vertical of jagged volcanic rock and 50 degree hourglass pitches, expert skiing is a must. With its touch-the-wall pitches, this California resort definitely keep your adrenaline pumping. |
| Located in southern Colorado, Telluride should be on every expert skiers list. It has a vertical drop of 3,165 feet. With unpredictable cliffs, a skier should not venture into the Prospect Bowl without knowing the terrain-it may be lethal. There new 45 degree ramps and cliff-lined pitches have given this resort 10th place. |
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