The 10 steepest ski slopes in the world

Steep is awesome - if you like the tingling in your stomach, the feeling between fear and fun, you will love these slopes. Skiing is not just a sport, it's also an adventure - and for some, it means pushing yourself to the limit and seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush. There are some slopes around the world that are notorious for their extreme steeps and challenging descents. These slopes are not for the faint-hearted and require not only a huge amount of courage, but also technical skill and physical fitness. In this blog post, we present the 10 steepest ski slopes in the world in detail - we explain what makes them so special and give you tips on how to master these descents safely. Whether you're an experienced skier looking for the next thrill or just curious about what makes these extreme descents so famous - read on and discover the most exciting slopes skiing has to offer.

The top 10 steepest descents in the world

10th Holzriese (Alta Pusteria, Italy)

The Holzriese in the 3 Zinnen ski area, more precisely in the Alta Pusteria region, is one of the steeper and more challenging slopes in Italy. The Holzriese piste is known for its unpredictable snow conditions and large bumps, which are caused by the extreme incline of up to 71%. The conditions make this run challenging and demand very good edge control and excellent fitness. The Holzriese piste is divided into two sections: Holzriese I and Holzriese II. Both sections are known for their steep slopes. The piste starts at an altitude of 1,950 meters and leads steeply downhill, with the steepest section, Holzriese II, having a gradient of up to 71%. The Holzriese not only offers a technical challenge, but also spectacular views of the surrounding Dolomites. The slope is located in one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world, known for its impressive landscapes and excellently groomed slopes.

9th Le Mur Suisee (Portes du Soleil, Switzerland)

The Swiss Wall, also known as "Le Mur Suisse" or "Le Pas de Chavanette", is one of the most famous ski slopes in the world. This run is located in the Portes du Soleil ski area, on the border between Switzerland and France. The Swiss wall starts at an altitude of 2,151 meters at the Pas de Chavanette and ends at 1,817 meters, resulting in an altitude difference of 334 meters. The route is around 1 kilometer long and has an average gradient of 37%. In some sections, however, the gradient can be over 90%, making the slope a real challenge. This extreme gradient means that the slope cannot be groomed and therefore often has large moguls and unpredictable snow conditions. The Swiss Wall starts with a narrow and steep entrance that requires precise control and excellent technique. The first 50 meters are particularly steep and narrow, which costs many skiers a lot of effort. After that, the slope opens up and allows skiers to either take the direct, steeper route or veer slightly to the left, where the gradient is somewhat more moderate.

8. Gamsleiten 2 (Obertauern, Austria)

Gamsleiten 2 starts at an altitude of 2,313 meters and leads steeply downhill over an altitude difference of 362 meters. With a gradient of up to 100% in places, this slope offers an adrenaline rush for all experienced skiers. The total length of the run is around 937 meters and it is known for its icy and ungroomed conditions, especially in the upper section.
The run begins with an impressive steep section that is often icy and littered with bumps. These conditions require excellent technique and a good level of fitness to get through safely. For those who do not feel confident, there is the option to ski around the steepest sections on a bypass - a descent is not possible on the small Age 2-seater chairlift. A special event on this slope is the Gamsleiten Criterium in spring, where
treasure hunters dig in the snow for hidden chests. The prizes range from non-cash prizes and travel vouchers to a BMW as the main prize.

7th Harakiri (Mayrhofen, Austria)

The Harakiri slope in the Mayrhofen ski area in Zillertal is known as one of the steepest groomed slopes in Austria. This run, which opened in the 2003/04 winter season, attracts brave skiers and snowboarders from all over the world who want to take on this challenge. Known for its icy conditions due to the artificial snow and steep gradient, skiers and snowboarders should first test piste no. 12 (Devil's Run) before tackling the Harakiri. The steep gradient of 78% requires above-average technique, which becomes clear from the very first turns. The Harakiri starts below the 6-seater Knorr chairlift on the Penken and runs over a 400-metre stretch at
. In addition to its steepness, it is also one of the most famous and best-promoted pistes in the Alps. There are plenty of opportunities to take home souvenirs of the adventure, including an "I survived Harakiri" T-shirt. Free photo shoots are offered every Friday from 1pm to 3pm, where skiers can have their descent documented.

6th Lange Train (Lech/Zürs, Austria)

The Lange Zug is one of the steepest groomed ski routes in the world, with a total length of 4.7 kilometers and a maximum gradient of 80% in the upper third. The steepest section of the descent has a gradient of 80%, while the first section starts at 77%. Daily grooming makes the slope technically challenging, but not insurmountable. The descent begins at the Rüfikopf at an altitude of 2,350 meters. From there, the route leads via ski routes 181 and 215 to the Schafalplift, which takes skiers to the entry point of the Lange. The entrance to the gully is located at 2,049 meters and ends at 1,676 meters after a difference in altitude of 373 meters. The ski run has become famous not only for its steep gradient, but also for the speed record set by East Tyrolean skier Harry Egger, who reached a speed of 248 km/h here in 2002.

5th Grand Couloir (Les Troits Vallés, France)

The Grand Couloir is one of the three couloirs on the Saulire massif and can be easily reached from the summit of the Saulire via the Saulire cable car. After getting off the cable car, a narrow ridge leads to the entrance of the slope, which is marked with black markings. This stretch is notorious for its ungroomed conditions, which make it a real challenge. The descent is often very bumpy and can be even more challenging in unfavorable snow conditions. With a maximum gradient of around 85 %, it is only suitable for experienced skiers. The Grand Couloir begins with a narrow entrance, after which the slope opens up and offers steep and deep terrain that is often littered with numerous bumps. The Grand Couloir has established itself as one of the most distinctive runs in the Courchevel ski area and is a highlight for experienced skiers. The slope not only offers a technical challenge, but also breathtaking views of the Courchevel valley. The appeal of this run lies in its wild, untamed nature, which makes it an unforgettable descent.

4. the Streif (Kitzbühel, Austria)

The Streif in Kitzbühel is considered the most spectacular and challenging downhill in alpine skiing. Since it was first held in 1937, it has developed into a legendary event that takes place every year as part of the Hahnenkamm Race. The course not only attracts the best skiers in the world, but also a large audience eager to experience the drama and excitement of this iconic descent. Particularly notorious is the Mausefalle, the steepest section with a gradient of 85%, where skiers fly up to 80 meters and reach speeds of up to 120 km/h. The jump into the mousetrap is followed by the carousel, a 180-degree turn in which skiers have to withstand centrifugal forces of up to 3.1g. This is where you can see who has the technical precision and
the right timing to negotiate the curve perfectly. After the steep slope, the route continues through the Brückenschuss and the Gschöss, two flatter sections that require high speeds in order to make up time. The Seidlalmsprung marks the middle of the course and is another technical crux where the riders have to change direction during the jump. The final section of the Streif, the Lärchenschuss, leads the riders to the Hausbergkante - an almost 90 degree turn, followed by a compression and a challenging left turn into the Hausberg Querfahrt. This final challenge requires full concentration and strength before the skiers enter the finish shot and reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. The Streif is not only a physical challenge, but also a test of mental strength and courage. It offers an incomparable spectacle for spectators and remains a holy grail for every ski racer.

3rd Kandahar 2 (Garmisch, Germany)

The Kandahar 2 slope in the Garmisch-Classic ski area in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, named after the British military leader Frederick Roberts (Earl of Kandahar), has been a fixture of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races since 1954 and requires both courage and excellent skiing technique. The slope is characterized by extremely steep sections, in particular the famous "Free Fall" with a gradient of 92%, making it one of the steepest groomed ski slopes in the world. In addition to the free fall, there are other challenging sections, such as the Tröglhang. Kandahar 2 has a Lange tradition and has been the venue for international ski competitions for decades. It has produced numerous skiing legends and is a must for every ambitious skier who wants to take on one of the toughest downhill runs in the world. In 1994, the downhill became tragically famous when the Austrian ski racer Ulrike Maier died in an accident - since then, there have been no more women's downhill races on the Kandahar 2.

2nd Manni Pranger piste (Bergeralm in Wipptal, Austria)

The Manni Pranger slope in the Bergeralm ski area in the Wipptal valley is named after the famous Austrian ski racer Manni Pranger - this descent is notorious for its extremely steep gradient of up to 102 percent (46 degrees) and is not for the faint-hearted. The descent begins after getting out of the gondola, and skiers often have their first doubts as to whether they should really venture onto this steep slope. Even the snow groomers, which are responsible for preparing the slope, have to be attached to cable winches in order to conquer the mountain. The Manni Pranger slope is around 1.2 kilometers long and offers an impressive descent that requires both technical skills and physical fitness. The extreme gradient also means that the snow often does not remain stable, which makes the descent even more difficult. A true paradise for adrenaline junkies and a must for every experienced skier who loves a challenge. But caution is advised: This slope does not forgive mistakes.

1st Corbet's Couloir (Jackson Hole, USA)

No other ski resort has such a legendary drop as Jackson Hole with the Corbet's Couloir slope - the 50-degree drop into the slope is a highlight for adrenaline junkies. The gradient is around 120 percent - the following terrain is no less steep. If you want to master this descent, you not only need strong nerves, but also excellent ski control. The entrance to Corbet's Couloir is only a few meters narrow, with rock faces on three sides and requires a jump literally into the void. After the entrance, the slope opens up and offers untouched powder snow. The slope is named after Barry Corbet, a mountaineer who discovered a narrow snow fold shaped like an inverted funnel high up on Jackson Hole in 1960. He was firmly convinced that one day someone would ski there - and he was proved right. Every year, the bravest skiers race down the most famous couloir in North America in the hope of showcasing their skills on the legendary slope and being honored with the title of King or Queen of Corbet.

The right equipment

Now that we have looked at the steepest and most spectacular slopes in the world in detail, let's focus on the equipment that is essential for such extreme descents. After all, a fall on such a slope can have serious consequences without the right equipment and should not be underestimated.

With the right equipment and our tips, you are now perfectly equipped to face the steepest slopes in the world. Whether you need a new helmet, sharp ski edges or robust protectors - we have everything you need to conquer the steepest ski slopes in the world. Prepare yourself optimally and experience the adrenaline rush on the most exciting ski slopes in the world! What are you waiting for - the mountain is calling!