A Skier's Must-Do Runs - Page 2

Thanks for the additions Skiking, v interesting reading, and good to hear of stuff which is beyond the somewhat US-centric runs, all of which are great, just enjoy reading about more..good stuff all over

why not state the attributes, stats, and qualities of the "run" (not a lift or ski resort), that which makes it iconic, films featuring the run, famous skiers to bring attention to it, etc, so we are dealing with specifics, tangibles. this thread is a mess, offering nothing really, due to the scattered definitions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Lindahl 

I'd easily pick the Stone Creek chutes over the Birds at Beaver Creek. 45-55 degree trees with cliffs and pillows around every corner. Even for someone who isn't after those things would consider it a must-do after feeling the sense of accomplishment of safely getting to the bottom.

I'd agree with you on a good powder day, but the neat thing about the downhill run is thinking about the speeds those guys are doing and the air they catch on an injected course.

If this was a more Euro oriented board like Snowheads, then Aiguille Rouge at the top of Les Arcs (10,600 ft/3,200 m) down to Villaroger (4,000/1,200)- either on piste or off piste through the Vanoise National Park would certainly get a mention.  The pisted run is 7 km with 2 km (6,600 feet) of vert with the bottom section (~last 200 meters/600 feet) snow challenged much of the time.  

I think Gunbarrel at Heavenly deserves to be on the list....i remember watching womens WC events on it during the 70's....

For me, other than those already mentioned, is Telluride-Palmyra Peak.

My bucket list of skiing runs is skiing on each continent. 3 down, 4 to go.

I'd put back-to-back-to-back off piste runs off the south face of the Bellecote in LaPlagne, the north face of the Bellecote (via the couloir Canadien) and the aforementioned off piste route from the top of the Aguille Rouge in Les Arcs down to Villaroger at the top of my list.  Each one is over mile of vertical with some very steep sections and often challenging snow conditions.  "Only" three runs, but some very tired, happy, legs after a long day of skiing.  I've skied most of the runs mentioned so far.  The best runs I've ever had are none of these.  I find that the great runs; the ones that you remember for years, kind of sneak up on you when you're not expecting them. 

Again any observations about supposedly incredible runs like Roca Jack and others at Portillo, I hear some incredible must-skis are also at Termas de Chillian and La Lenas in Argentina. Folks who have been there do comment. And the ones mentioned above in France, heard about those too.

Nakiska and others in Japan?

I got a few I'd like to add.

Area 51 at Keystone

Freeway Terrain Park at Breckenridge

Nintendo (whatever version) Park at Whistler

Unbound Park at Mammoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by davluri 

why not state the attributes, stats, and qualities of the "run" (not a lift or ski resort), that which makes it iconic, films featuring the run, famous skiers to bring attention to it, etc, so we are dealing with specifics, tangibles. this thread is a mess, offering nothing really, due to the scattered definitions.

Exactly my point. Comparing apples with oranges, runs to lifts to resorts. Anyway, here is a run for you Python, on Thompson Pass, Alaska. It will take your breath away just looking at it. 

There are tons of great runs.  But rippin a run with a great group of friends is the ultimate and it doesn't matter were you are, it's all about the camaraderie!

skiking your website shows dedication, talent for topograpy and just great info for the rest of us. please look at mountainvertical.com and see as mapnut suggested you can incorporate western/european/asian/s american slopes you know, this humble and totally irritated reader would love to read more...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

There are tons of great runs.  But rippin a run with a great group of friends is the ultimate and it doesn't matter were you are, it's all about the camaraderie!

Well put......couldn't agree more.......and then at the bottom "measuring" the run by the smiles all around.....

What, not even a mention of the Wall?

Or Mott Canyon ftm?

And where is Tuck's on this list?

Quote:

Originally Posted by comprex 

What, not even a mention of the Wall?

 

Or Mott Canyon ftm?

 

And where is Tuck's on this list?

 

 

 

Second on OPs list.

anyone explain, where, what, which? there must be 30 runs called the "wall"
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by comprex 

What, not even a mention of the Wall?

 

Or Mott Canyon ftm?

 

And where is Tuck's on this list?

 

 

 

To me, must-do could be that completing it is an accomplishment, to which I would say a lot of the OP's list fits, but it could also be the ones that are the most fun and enjoyable and often with good snow.  Something like Corbets is more of an accomplishment than a fun and enjoyable run unless you're a pro.

So from the latter perspective, something that's iconic but fun and enjoyable is one of those runs that's so fun and the fun just keeps on going and going thanks to asustained pitch, or neverending features to keep it interesting.  With that in mind some of the ones I'd say:

-Hobacks at Jackson Hole (as mentioned)

-Spanky's Ladder at Blackcomb

-Whistler Bowl to Doom and Gloom to Grand Finale

-High Rustler at Alta (there are certainly longer runs at other mountains, but this keeps a nice steep pitch the whole way down with traversing only required at the top and bottom)

A few that aren't iconic but otherwise fit my description:

-Coolers at Red Mountain

-Wildcat Trail at Wildcat (nice turny groomer where you keep making left turns all the way down)

-Narrow Gauge at Sugarloaf (perfect groomer in my opinion)

-Beyond Beaver Pond Glade at Jay Peak

-International to Snakedance at Alpental

A tram run up then taking tramline down at Cannon could be considered, more of a historic stop though. Was the first tram in the US and cannon employed the first ski patrol and had the first ski school in the US.

Anything to the left or right including under the old gondola from the top of Sugarloaf should rate ( Winters Way, Gondola Line, Bubblecuffer, Nitro).

Oh did I mention the snowfields.

Weather & conditions permitting of course.

Being not as worldly as some here I would think any east coaster that has skied around the north east would agree.

Motts Canyon is cute, but it is an OK run surrounded by an average ski area. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by comprex 

What, not even a mention of the Wall?

 

Or Mott Canyon ftm?

 

And where is Tuck's on this list?

 

 

 

If you mean Motts in Heavenly Valley, I am thinking that ^^^ also. A good run, that you have to ski from a lousy ski area, is less a good run for the inconvenience, hassle, and general surrounding unpleasantness. The overall experience is diminished, by the area, by the clientele, by the lack of variety and range of runs surrounding.

Again, this thread states no criteria, so it's a scattered clutter of bias and opinion instead of organized information, IMO, and one of several of the same theme, mostly all too general as well.

If must do means goal of a lifetime, an experience that completes one, a skiing experience to have before you die, then it's something very personal any way, cheapened just by talking about it publicly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davluri 

If you mean Motts in Heavenly Valley, I am thinking that ^^^ also. A good run, that you have to ski from a lousy ski area, is less a good run for the inconvenience, hassle, and general surrounding unpleasantness. The overall experience is diminished, by the area, by the clientele, by the lack of variety and range of runs surrounding.

 

Again, this thread states no criteria, so it's a scattered clutter of bias and opinion instead of organized information, IMO, and one of several of the same theme, mostly all too general as well.

 

If must do means goal of a lifetime, an experience that completes one, a skiing experience to have before you die, then it's something very personal any way, cheapened just by talking about it publicly.

Personally I prefer the chutes in Killebrew but which chutes in Motts are you talking about, since all those ski completely differently (i.e The Y vs. Pinenuts).

Only problem is its a real pain in the ass to get in/out of Killebrew, but at the same time it just makes you want it more since you can't explore it as much in a small time frame.
 

Something said something about cool vids of it and i would say this one counts as one of those:
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzA1iMKz5jA 

The Chutes at Mt Rose....Pick one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecimmortal 

The Chutes at Mt Rose....Pick one.

 

I so need to get over there and ski those.

To me it's entirely conditions-dependent.  I don't care how "must-do" a run is, it's going to suck if it's bulletproof.  And I don't care how lame a run is, it's going to be a ball with fresh powder.

That said, loads o' fun with soft snow:  The Alleys at A-Basin.  Nicely spaced trees, steepish pitch, large fun.  Trees and stumps and rocks and bumps...  :D

Revelstoke

Devils Club - skiing from the subpeak,  all the way to the bottom it can be stretched to over 6000 vertical feet.

Kill the Banker - most memorable run at revy. Pillows everywhere.