Most Extreme Runs?

Ok, before someone rants on how these kinds of threads are pointless, please don't do it. I enjoy reading and posting in these kinds of threads about the "best mountain" or "best tree skiing" or "steepest ski slope", or in this case, "most extreme run".

Check the site in my sig. Some INTERESTING info, not good info (it was taken off the unreliable Google Earth).

http://www.ski-degrees.synthasite.com

IMO:

East (marked runs):

Paradise @ MRG

Face Chutes @ Jay Peak

Outer Limits, Devil's Fiddle and Devil's Den @ Kton

K27 @ Hunter

Slides @ Iceface

Rumor @ Gore

Snowfields @ Sugarloaf

Shockwave and White Heat @ Sunday River

Front Four (definitely Goat and Starr) @ Stowe

Freefall, Madonna Liftline, Robin's Run, and Blackhole @ Smuggs

Black and Red Line @ Magic

Rumble, Upper FIS, and Black Diamond as well as the stuff off Castlerock @ Sugarbush

Dynamite @ Mont Tremblant

West (marked runs):

Rambo @ Crested Butte

Lake Chutes @ Breck

Fingers and Palisades @ Squaw

Alta Chutes, T3 Chute, and Corbet's and that's only a small margin of the MARKED extreme skiing... wait till you see the OB and unmarked chutes (list would be too long if I marked the other marked runs) @ JH

Cirque @ Snowbird

... just to name a few....

the west basin ridge at Taos:  specifically:

elevator chutes

suarza

cuervo

thunderbird

st. bernard

some of the gnarliest, steepest tree'd rocky runs in north america

there are also some really crazy long runs off Kachina with 40' cliffs to huck and narrow chutes to ski

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo Snow 

Hey All-

 

What do you think are the most extreme in-bounds runs in North America? Stuff like Corbet's Couloir that you really have to have some kahones for. Extreme isn't defined by "double black diamond" or whatever other ranking there is, it is defined by the seemingly endless glory you'll have if you live to ski it. (That and crazy obstacles, altitude, features, vertical, etc).

 

What do you think? 

Corbett's is definitely a test-piece by most standards.  But "extreme"?  "Endless Glory?"  How many people ski Corbetts in a given year?  Hundreds?  Thousands?

Not baggin on Corbet's per se....but IMHO if you're going to use the word "extreme" and "in-bounds" together, the runs should be something that only a select few people get to hit every year....or maybe even less than that.....like once every several years because they're so steep, snow can't always stick them on marginal years.

In this category, three lines jump immediately to mind in my local stomping grounds of Tahoe.

"Schmidiots" which is located within the Palisades at Squaw. 

And "Heart Chute" and "Patrolmans" at Kirkwood

all of which haven't even been possible within the past 2 seasons. and granted once they completely fill in, they have the potential to become boulevards, but that is very very rare.

I'll try to dig up some pics.

"Schmidiot's" at Squaw from 2005:

"Heart Chute" at Kirkwood from 2002:

 "Patrolmans" at Kirkwood from 2006:

Patrolmans from the top (this run did not go very well for me :( )

This is just something that might suprise a few skiers in this forum. The Steepist inbounds run in Utah just might be in Deer Valley.  The Daly Chutes are short and very steep. 

Birds of Prey in full race condition. 

I went to Vail and pretty much everything there was extreme.  Especially the grooming.  They do extreme grooming.

If you limit this to "marked runs" you aren't going to find much of anything extreme for the reasons Tyrone mentions.  The stuff along the West Basin Ridge at Taos that skitaos mentions would be toward the top of my fun marked runs list, since they have nice little name signs at the top of them.  Some of those lines can get pretty "extreme" if you want them too, but all have relatively easy ways down if the snow is good.

I think extreme means something that isn't skied often, and that most people wouldn't immediately even recognize as skiable.  And not much of anything like that is going to have a trail marker...though of course bajillions of those sorts of lines are named.

Forget the regular trail map, check out the Extreme Limits Map at Crested Butte.  A lot of places throw the word around, but the area between the North Face and the Spellbound/Phoenix Bowls is truely extreme terrain.  Dead Bob's Chute and Body Bag are not even the steepest runs.  Some of it requires madatory air, plus sticking the landing in a very tight spot.  The patrol regularly has to "escort" people out of there who are cliff bound. I've only sniffed around the edges and the open "runs" were enough to scare me.

How about the Little Couloir at Big Sky?  That looked like some serious "do not fall" terrain.

just updated my above post with a few pics

Yeah, it's not an extreme run if it's possible to make turns on it.

goin to have agree with tryone here. IMo we arent talking corbert's but more like S&S.

At snowbird there are some runs that qualify but even then lots of people skis them.

Death Chute, North chute, Broom closet and the Forbidden Zone IMO all are 'extreme'. with the exception of the forbiddne zone which might get skied a hundred times in a year there. Everything else probably gets skied in the 1000s range.

to call the cirque extreme is kinda of funny. Its a very easy run.

Maybe we should change the criteria and find out which in bounds marked runs are the most difficult for the ski patrol to get a toboggon down.  I'd say that would be a good measure of the most difficult terrain that tourists can try to ski after passing the typical "WARNING EXPERTS ONLY!!!" with skull and crossbones, etc. 

I don't think OP was fishing for suggestions of "wickedest double top secret OB stash run I skied and you never will" nanny nanny boo boo!

Well, don't just leave us hanging at the top of the chute, Tyrone (literally and figuratively).  How did it turn out?  That chute looks nasty.  I wouldn't even want to be the photographer in that picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

 

I don't think OP was fishing for suggestions of "wickedest couble top secret OB stash run I skied and you never will" nanny nanny boo boo!

None of the stuff I posted is OB.  At Kirkwood, Patrolmans is 30 seconds from the top of Chair 6 and a few steps up from a traverse that nearly everone on the mountain takes at one point or another throughout the course of the day.  Heart Chute is 5 minutes from Chair 10 and can be seen from  nearly every vantage point on the front side of the mountain.  Schmidiot's line has been published in numerous books and documented and discussed in films.  None of them are secret and the Kirkwood linescan be viewed from the parking lot and at Squaw from the mid-mountain lodge sun deck.  There is nothing at all secret about these lines and they're very accessible to anyone.

The OP was looking for "Extreme"....If it's a popular run that hundreds or more people do in a given season, then I don't know how that can be labelled as "Extreme".  Granted, the term extreme is used to describe and market everything from deodorant to hand soap these days, but I think I giving the OP exactly what he was asking for.

BushwackerinPA -- S&S Couloir.  Yes exactly.  That is a much better example Corbetts.

Mo Snow -- I didn't take any of those pictures.  I'm the subject in the Kirkwood ones, but not the photog and I don't know who the skier is nor the photog for the squaw photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Maybe we should change the criteria and find out which in bounds marked runs are the most difficult for the ski patrol to get a toboggon down.  I'd say that would be a good measure of the most difficult terrain that tourists can try to ski after passing the typical "WARNING EXPERTS ONLY!!!" with skull and crossbones, etc. 

I don't think OP was fishing for suggestions of "wickedest double top secret OB stash run I skied and you never will" nanny nanny boo boo!

non mentioned by me or tyrone are out of bounds nor are they that secert, most are quite visiable but the same time people wouldnt think to ski them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushwackerinPA 

non mentioned by me or tyrone are out of bounds nor are they that secert, most are quite visiable but the same time people wouldnt think to ski them.

Sounds good, I think most folks can list "extreme" lines down marked trails along the rocks or in the trees. I've seen lots of cool wicked  looking lines right under some lifts, but those are usually roped off

How about mandatory air? That would be a criteria as well I would think.

Also you must turn here...and here.. and here.... or else.

Tyrone that one of you coming out (or is that off) of Heart Chute is sick.

Originally Posted by SpikeDog 

Well, don't just leave us hanging at the top of the chute, Tyrone (literally and figuratively).  How did it turn out?  That chute looks nasty.  I wouldn't even want to be the photographer in that picture.

Sorry man didn't see your post earlier.  Basically I couldn't hold my edges I slid through the whole thing.  Ended up with a bruised kidney, some contusions, and 6 stitches in my forearm.  Oh and painkiller shot in my arse. :D  Here's the report from a few years ago: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45159

Waste Your Time, Read My Crap, at:

www.onegeartwoplanks.com

Professor Google took me right to this article

http://thegearjunkie.com/north-americas-toughest-ski-runs

THE TOP 10 DOUBLE-DIAMOND RUNS OF NORTH AMERICA

1. Alta Zero—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Among Jackson Hole’s pantheon of double-diamond ski runs, Alta Zero continually came up with the polled skiers as the Wyoming resort’s best steep shot.

2. Two Smokes—Silverton Mountain, Colo.
This super-steep, doglegged chute pinches down to less than 6 feet wide at one point.

3. Climax—Whistler Blackcomb Resort, British Colombia
In the alpine cirque just below Blackcomb Peak, several precipitous chutes flank a feature called Chainsaw Ridge. The most difficult chute, according to Eric Pehota, a professional skier, is Climax.

4. Keyhole—Alpine Meadows, Calif.
Moguls, cliffs and exposed rocks on a near-vertical plane of snow makes Keyhole among the toughest runs in the Lake Tahoe region.

5. Corbet’s Couloir—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Probably the most well-known double-diamond run in the world, Corbet’s Couloir starts with a mandatory air-in, which means you must jump off a large cornice just to get on the run below.

6. Avalanche Bowl to Zoom—Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
This is one of the steepest runs in Colorado, said Chad Jackson, a videographer with ski-film company Teton Gravity Research.

7. Goat—Stowe Mountain Resort, Vt.
Considered among the toughest runs in New England, Goat tumbles for nearly three-quarters of a mile, reaching 36 degrees steep and featuring bumps as large as a VW Bug.

8. The Palisades—Squaw Valley USA, Calif.
Guarding the summit of 8,900-foot Squaw Peak, the Palisades are a cliff formation fluted with semi-skiable chutes, many of which end in death-defying leaps over dark granite cliff faces.

9. Outer Limits—Killington Resort, Vt.
Gregory Ditrinco, executive editor of Ski magazine, calls Outer Limits a classic, old-school mogul run. “It’s long and relentless, and steep, so it physically beats you up,” he said.

10. Mak-M-Stairs-Plunge—Telluride, Colo.
This unending bump run is actually a combination of three different runs that drop from a 11,890-foot peak, forming a penultimate leg-burner, with giant moguls and a consistently unforgiving pitch.

I never understood why avy bowl to zoom was on that list.

I'm sorry, but there is no way that Killington's Outer Limits belongs on any "Top 10 most extreme" list.  Heck, the thing gets groomed out with regularity these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinF 

I'm sorry, but there is no way that Killington's Outer Limits belongs on any "Top 10 most extreme" list.  Heck, the thing gets groomed out with regularity these days.

I agree Kevin, I would remove Birds of Pray from the other list above too. I skied that 7 or 8 years ago when I was know where close to where my skill level is now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Professor Google took me right to this article

 

http://thegearjunkie.com/north-americas-toughest-ski-runs

 

THE TOP 10 DOUBLE-DIAMOND RUNS OF NORTH AMERICA

1. Alta Zero—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Among Jackson Hole’s pantheon of double-diamond ski runs, Alta Zero continually came up with the polled skiers as the Wyoming resort’s best steep shot.

2. Two Smokes—Silverton Mountain, Colo.
This super-steep, doglegged chute pinches down to less than 6 feet wide at one point.

3. Climax—Whistler Blackcomb Resort, British Colombia
In the alpine cirque just below Blackcomb Peak, several precipitous chutes flank a feature called Chainsaw Ridge. The most difficult chute, according to Eric Pehota, a professional skier, is Climax.

4. Keyhole—Alpine Meadows, Calif.
Moguls, cliffs and exposed rocks on a near-vertical plane of snow makes Keyhole among the toughest runs in the Lake Tahoe region.

5. Corbet’s Couloir—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Probably the most well-known double-diamond run in the world, Corbet’s Couloir starts with a mandatory air-in, which means you must jump off a large cornice just to get on the run below.

6. Avalanche Bowl to Zoom—Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
This is one of the steepest runs in Colorado, said Chad Jackson, a videographer with ski-film company Teton Gravity Research.

7. Goat—Stowe Mountain Resort, Vt.
Considered among the toughest runs in New England, Goat tumbles for nearly three-quarters of a mile, reaching 36 degrees steep and featuring bumps as large as a VW Bug.

8. The Palisades—Squaw Valley USA, Calif.
Guarding the summit of 8,900-foot Squaw Peak, the Palisades are a cliff formation fluted with semi-skiable chutes, many of which end in death-defying leaps over dark granite cliff faces.

9. Outer Limits—Killington Resort, Vt.
Gregory Ditrinco, executive editor of Ski magazine, calls Outer Limits a classic, old-school mogul run. “It’s long and relentless, and steep, so it physically beats you up,” he said.

10. Mak-M-Stairs-Plunge—Telluride, Colo.
This unending bump run is actually a combination of three different runs that drop from a 11,890-foot peak, forming a penultimate leg-burner, with giant moguls and a consistently unforgiving pitch.

this list is a joke. looks like they''re trying to spead it around so all the regions get to be on the list. I don't think the tougher ski areas even use the lame designation double diamond.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Professor Google took me right to this article

 

http://thegearjunkie.com/north-americas-toughest-ski-runs

 

THE TOP 10 DOUBLE-DIAMOND RUNS OF NORTH AMERICA

1. Alta Zero—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Among Jackson Hole’s pantheon of double-diamond ski runs, Alta Zero continually came up with the polled skiers as the Wyoming resort’s best steep shot.

2. Two Smokes—Silverton Mountain, Colo.
This super-steep, doglegged chute pinches down to less than 6 feet wide at one point.

3. Climax—Whistler Blackcomb Resort, British Colombia
In the alpine cirque just below Blackcomb Peak, several precipitous chutes flank a feature called Chainsaw Ridge. The most difficult chute, according to Eric Pehota, a professional skier, is Climax.

4. Keyhole—Alpine Meadows, Calif.
Moguls, cliffs and exposed rocks on a near-vertical plane of snow makes Keyhole among the toughest runs in the Lake Tahoe region.

5. Corbet’s Couloir—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo.
Probably the most well-known double-diamond run in the world, Corbet’s Couloir starts with a mandatory air-in, which means you must jump off a large cornice just to get on the run below.

6. Avalanche Bowl to Zoom—Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
This is one of the steepest runs in Colorado, said Chad Jackson, a videographer with ski-film company Teton Gravity Research.

7. Goat—Stowe Mountain Resort, Vt.
Considered among the toughest runs in New England, Goat tumbles for nearly three-quarters of a mile, reaching 36 degrees steep and featuring bumps as large as a VW Bug.

8. The Palisades—Squaw Valley USA, Calif.
Guarding the summit of 8,900-foot Squaw Peak, the Palisades are a cliff formation fluted with semi-skiable chutes, many of which end in death-defying leaps over dark granite cliff faces.

9. Outer Limits—Killington Resort, Vt.
Gregory Ditrinco, executive editor of Ski magazine, calls Outer Limits a classic, old-school mogul run. “It’s long and relentless, and steep, so it physically beats you up,” he said.

10. Mak-M-Stairs-Plunge—Telluride, Colo.
This unending bump run is actually a combination of three different runs that drop from a 11,890-foot peak, forming a penultimate leg-burner, with giant moguls and a consistently unforgiving pitch.

Bogus list.

Some runs I view as "extreme":

Schimidiots @ Squaw

Chimney Sweep @ Squaw (this is what my picture thing is)

S&S Couloir @ JH

Alta Zero @ JH

Pipeline @ Snowbird-- I think this is OB tho

Cirque @ Snowbird

Hueves Grandes @ Mammoth

Patrolmans @ Kirkwood (first time hearing of it)

Heart Chute @ Kirkwood (also first time hearing of it)

Rambo @ Crested Butte

Jim's Chute @ Kirkwood

Corbet's Couloir @ JH

T3 Chute @ JH

Lake Chutes @ Breck

dunno a lot about the Taos Ridge or a few other mountains

I haven't skied it, but Silver City at Sunshine should be on the list.

It's on the map, but not open very often.