Europe’s Four Most Extreme Ski runs!
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- With over 20 million views on RUclips, Alex takes you on a breathtaking journey through Europe’s hardest ski runs. From impossibly steep gradients to unforgiving terrain, these legendary slopes push even the most experienced skiers to their limits. Will you dare to discover what makes them so fearsome? Watch now and witness the raw challenge, skill, and sheer nerve required to conquer these ultimate tests of courage.
Made my legs burn just watching you!
Haha!
Alex Hari Kari is NOT 78 degrees. its 78% !! A slope gradient of 78%, which translates to about 38 degrees. there are steeps well into the 45 degrees in the Alps.
Yep its a mistake. Its my first commentary not easy to do in one take. When I skied this run its was said to be the steepest well thats what was on the website of the ski resort.
@@AlexskiingI believe it’s the steepest piste/groomed trail in the world
Where are there 100% runs? Murren has Schilthorn 9 at 75% and Direttissima 10 at 88% and the start of the Streif is 88%
There is a race on my channel in Murren been there a few times I don’t think its that challenging ski area. I haven’t skied in kitzbuhel I have skied in over 30 ski resorts in Austria but not that one.
@@daniel72_751There's a small piste in Trysil Norway that's at 100% (45°) - small but I believe technically correct
12:09 I managed this run on a snowboard this year… it wasn’t easy and I only realised afterwards how lucky I was to make it down without falling over ! Couldnt imagine trying to stop yourself in this crazy steep run with massive ice moguls ! Never again 😆
The part about self assessment that you included is incredibly important it’s the number one thing you should consider when skiing especially as you’re so good you make these runs look like a walk in the park
Spent a season working in Alpe d'Huez and used to ski Tunnel at least once a week. I think you got it on a relatively good day. Most times I went did the run it was a story of steep run with moguls like buried VW Beetles for extra spice. In contrast after a dump it can be a great powder run. Also Sarenne is longer than 10km but only parts of it really merit being a black. The only other one I have done of these is the Swiss Wall. That run is just relentless and doesn't let up on the moguls. As you say the video doesn't do a good job of showing how steep it is. You talk about not being able to get rhythm, but you were doing a good job of just keeping going. This run has certainly caused fatalities in the past.
I've skied all four of these.
Try Flypaper up in Glencoe, Scotland, though it's rarely open. Short, but very steep and like Harakiri, a fall will see you tumble top to bottom.
Very cool video. Thanks for making this. That last run is insane. I’d get bucked out of my bindings.
In Arosa, there's the Black Diamond slope with a steepness of up to 45, 46°. I skied it down last winter, it is really, really steep, even for a very good skier like me.
Interesting I haven’t been to that resort I will look it up today and see if I can get there!
Black Wall, glacier 3000, Switzerland is another tunnel run that is scary steep, but groomed almost all the way up.
I am going to try and get there next week have you been? The snow isn’t great across the Alpes at the moment unfortunately.
@ yep, I’ve been and it’s more likely it will open in January
Ah that’s a shame I can see this weekends show has been downgraded I was hoping that might do it.
Thanks so much for the information it’s super helpful I will plan to go a little later. 👍
When I was a kid, a teenager and a young adult, the slope AFTER the tunnel was the very best skiing in our region. BTW, it's real name is "Pierres Pointes"... Black Wall is just a recent "marketing" gimmick... and is in between the ski resorts of Les Diablerets and of world-renowned Gstaad. It was a very steep and wide slope (half-a-mile wide), all ungroomed then, with several gullies, that was a delight to any advanced skier.
In 1999, the gondola lift that was deserving that sector, while bringing other skiers further up to the Glacier, was closed and replaced by a cable-car. Unfortunately, that one is going straight up to the Glacier, making the great slopes of Pierres-Pointes unreachable.
But 2 years ago, they dug that tunnel, opening that slope again. I haven't gone back yet, but I shall, as it is dear to my heart for a very personal reason: the only time 4 generations of my family skied together happened on what is now called "Black Wall" in early April 1986. My grand-father, in his 90th year could still master a slope 90% of skiers could not... all day... but it was his last season skiing... my mother and father, my wife and I, with my 1-year old son on my back!
Having done two seasons in VT the variance of the Grand Colouir is wild. It is also closed a lot of the time so if you're thinking about doing it it's worth checking it's open.
I've boarded all of these, and done my last season in couecheval 1850. That ridge is a nightmare, but then the run it's self is fantastic, especially if it's got good powder. The Swiss wall is crap to board if the skis have mougled it, they are huge so have to go far left and climb a few rocks and a ridge then drop down from there.
The tunnel run is only sketchy at the top as it's iced out a bit, but great for the rest of the run and that right turn is a great route down in good snow as you can float and get some huge turns in.
My seconds ever ski trip was with friends who took me down the Swiss wall. Worst & Best experience of my life in one go. Safe to say since then I’m not afraid to go down anything
that's cap if it's your second trip the chances of you dying within the first few metres are very high
The Swiss Wall looks insane!
Ahh, the swiss wall. You skied at very bad conditions. When I went down the first time I had the same conditions and lost one ski after three turns. I catched it, but it took 10 minutes to get the shoe back in the binding. I went to a ski shop after this run and adjusted the binding to very hard. Then I never had problems againg. Once, I was there for easter holidays. We had fresh powder nearly every day, so I started the days early in the morning by marking the first traces in the swiss wall. Just a few people and soft powder - the best days of skiing in my live. There is another black slope in the Portes Du Soleil which is not well known and in my opinion harder to ski: you have to mount Mont Chery at Les Gets, then turn to the right and ski down the black slope beginning at the upper end of Planeys lift. I made this slope once in my life, the swiss wall instead very often.
Cant wait to go skiing again in Trois Vallees coming winter. Thanks for the vid, i like the commentary
That’s so much I am posting on RUclips again I was a bit worried about adding the commentary. I think I will do a few more from across Europe. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment it’s good to get some feedback on the positive side.
I get why they say the Swiss wall is hard but I feel like it’s only hard if you don’t know what you’re doing. Huge moguls I find are fairly easy to navigate. The hardest part about the run is just the thigh burn from the length of it
I found to super hard to ski these motels because of there shape.
@@Alexskiingtheyre the size of motels
the mountains are breathtaking
They sure are!
Went down Harikari a few years ago with my son. We found some great off-piste off to the right of the piste; well wroth a little excursion off the beaten track
I haven’t spent much time in mayhophen to be honest.
And here I am…going to ski for the first time ever in a couple of weeks….Hold my beer!
Loved doing the tunnel run a few years ago on our boards - although we had to get off and walk some of it and we were quite relieved to see on the other side that it had the fence up and small path to the right side as you had it, so it was an easier exit!
I'll never forget walking around the area at the start point of the Grand Couloir and seeing a bunch of local French kids about 10 years old just ski off the lift and disappear over the edge! Amazing!
I've forgotten where it was, I'm thinking it was Alps d'Huez but who knows, we were heading down a blue slope, lovely and wide and sweeping with no one on it, that suddenly half way down turned into a 70 deg black that still had blue markers on it! No wondering no one was skiing/riding that slope! I guess it was all graded blue because overall the slope was pretty shallow on average!?
Come to think of it, it may have been in Andorra - Pas de la Casa!?
That sounds like one wild run! It must have been a rush to hit the tunnel run on your boards-even if a bit of walking was needed, it’s good to know they set up that fence and exit path for safety. And wow, seeing those local kids racing off the lift like that is just pure skiing magic!
I can totally relate to the surprise of cruising down a blue slope only for it to transform into a steep section mid-run-it's like the mountain just keeps you on your toes. Whether it was Alps d’Huez or Pas de la Casa, it sounds like an unforgettable experience. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
I did the Harakiri twice in one week.
The first time was no problem. We purposely went to find it to run it, and once you have made it through the first steepest 100m or so, it's actually not too bad (I would say that 'The Face' in Val D'isere is worse at the end of every day). But me and a mate decided to do it again on the last run of the last day, as we passed it on our way off the mountain..............let's just say it didn't go well!!
Thanks for the positive commentary I agree with you at the end of the day the face is no fun
I've read the "Langer Zug" in Lech, the "112 Alpe Seite" in Brixen im Thale and "Black Wall" at Glacier 3000 dethroned the Harakiri in steepness
I skied in Lech last year Langer Zug I didnt see on the piste map. 112 Alpe Seite in Brixen im Thale I have never come accross this resort in my travels. I am going to go to Glacier 3000 next week so I will let you know how that goes!
I've skied the Tunnel run... he's talking it up like it's hard. It can be a bit icy at the top - but if you hit it late in the day and it isn't icy at the top it tends to be a bit slushy towards the bottom! Couloir isn't as bad as he's making out either. I've not skied the other two.
My legs are sore just watching you
Haha I think mine will be this year to be honest I’m getting older.
@@Alexskiing 41 and between skiing and the treadmill my knees are, not great. Still going to Belleayre Mountain tomorrrow though!
@Blas4ublasphemy nice I just had a look at the web cam it looks like you have great snow ❄️ I will be in the mountains again Wednesday I think.
@@Alexskiing Yeah gotta take advantage when we can! Be safe and enjoy you day on Wednesday!
Hi
Love your video… but please can you tell me what you use for your speed/dietection thing in the bottom right corner and where you can get them from
It’s a windows application called GoPro telemetry extractor. You need to have gps from the camera or external gps then you can add it to the footage. Effects take a little bit of computer power so have a look at the specs needed.
I suggest "Seilbahnrinne" at Nordkette, Innsbruck ;)... Depending on the conditions it is the most difficult official run that I've done and that I know off...
I feel it depends on the snow conditions also! I would add also the Sarenne in Alpe d’Huez because it is a very long one and it requires endurance!
It’s very long but probably not the most difficult love the DJ sets by the way!
Those first two look fine, but yeahhhh the last two seem tiring and that's when mistakes happen
You are quite a decent skier and most importantly you have stamina. For this kind of runs, specially ones like Swiss Wall, one needs a lot of stamina. I did Swiss Wall for the first time almost 20 years ago, had enough stamina, to burn it down with maybe 2 stops. These days, I'd needed to stop every 50m.
In terms of ungroomed slopes, there are harder ones ofc, but that is mostly freeride type of skiing. For example, descent from Mont Gelé in Veriber. Even the start of Mont Fort descent, or descent from Chassoure are more challenging than Swiss Wall. I don't even wanna go into descent to La Grave.
And from the groomed ones Harikiri is decent but there are harder (and in parts steeper) ones like the Bellecombe black in Les deux Alpes.
keep your skis as tight as possible, knees together when skiing moguls, plus technique
Have You skiied the chocken in sweden Idre
Been subscribed for a while now. What runs would you recommend in Alpe Dhuez. Is the longest black run very difficult is it do able for someone who can ski red runs
Thank you for subscribing. I am going to Alpe d’Huez on Wednesday, so I will post something from there. The Sarenne is an amazing run; if you can ski reds, you can ski it. The top section starts from Pic Blanc, but if you look at a piste map, you can still access it from Marmotte Three, which avoids the steep section. However, I wouldn’t think you’d need to do that. It is very, very well maintained, but if you are going in February late in the afternoon, there are going to be a lot of moguls. There are a couple of sections that are narrow compared to the number of skiers.
The most important thing is to do it before lunchtime or at least start early. You should definitely do it-it’s an incredible ski run. In the 1960s, it was an off-piste route the whole way down and even longer, which factors into its grading and the fact that you cannot get off once you start. It’s a very easy black in the right conditions.
@ thank you really Helpful! Will look out for your new videos
I love being super sendy when I board so I find it hard to do moguls cause I have to be so calculated. With that aside if you ever do take a trip out to the states I would love to see your opinion on how runs like corbetts and others like that stack up compared to the trails on this list. much love from USA
Corbetts would definitely be more difficult I think i haven’t seen anything in Europe that would compare to the first few turns as Corbetts. I am looking forward to a trip stateside.
@@Alexskiing Yea I know a lot of trails that are not lift access trails would compare or be more difficult throughout than corbetts. but as far as lift access goes I think it is unrivaled stateside, and was looking to see if that held true across the pond. cant wait to see a video in the states.
Saw a bloke fall down the entire length of the Swiss wall, think he survived
In Tignes-Val D'isere you have an immense steep black piste when you take the teleski 3000 in valdisere and you take the tunnel there you have it steeper than the couloir and very high hobbles. The piste is called: Tunnel
Thanks for the comment I have looked at the resort and you are right. It’s strange I have been there a few times and I didn’t know about this run!
Have you tried Franco Berthod in La Thuile, Italy? 76% apparently. Going there in February and can’t wait
Also, should have said, love the channel and your videos.
i ski at la thuile once or twice each year
it's a steep wall but unlike the slopes in this video there are no bumps so it's very skiable in comparison
Heya, love the video, i've skied alpe d'huez lots and would like to argue that often Les Balcons can be more difficult in certain conditions. But also a big difference to skiing in North America i think is that in Europe lots of the more difficult terrain is classed as what North america is calls back country due to resort and avalanche management so as a result is not opened by the resort, where as i feel in the US lots of much more difficult terrain is opened.
I witnessed a ten person pile up one Les Balcons last year a group of young skiers that had no business being on the run. It was very funny as they were all ok. I am heading back to Alpe Dhuez now it’s been a while since I have skied it. If it’s open tomorrow I will give it a go again. Alpe Dhuez is were I love so it’s definitely a great resort! Might make a resort review in the next couple of days also.
I agree about your comments about the USA for sure all though I haven’t skied there just Whistler in North America.
@@Alexskiing yes i love alpe d'huez, very lucky to have an place in vaujany, but am only 16 and love watching people my age on balcons and le tunnel but for me currently the appeal of the area is the easy access off piste and aiming to do pic de la pyramide and la grav this trio. however sadly i don't manage to get out their enough however heading out on sunday, for the chill week before christmas and very excited.
@@Alexskiing I have never skied in North america but have friends and spoken to people lots about it. a fun arguement to compare the different levels of skiing and terrain so have looked into it a bit.
@peregrinefalcon6543 That’s cool you are very lucky. Well if you see me say hi I will be skiing in Alpe Dhuez the next to weeks. The snow is great here at the moment but I think you would probably need another snowfall to do le grave but I’m not an expert on the area I am hoping to go sometime this year also. Have a great time!
As a Swiss ski instructor I am not very impressed by these runs, with the edges of my skis freshly done they look like super fun and well skiable. But your fitness!! Boy, you never stop!! Great video 👍
lol it’s not going to be a problem for you for sure the majority of people who ski are deciding wether to do these runs on there one week skiing a year. That’s the majority of my channel watchers. What ski resort are in an instructor as when I am there we could go for a drink or ski.
@@Alexskiing I admit, it was just a part time job while I was studying to become an MD, now I am a children‘s doctor. But I do have a Swiss Ski Instructors license, even one from my home region Bern which are even harder to get. But I did most of my skiing and ski instructing in Zermatt. And Zermatt is imho still the best skiing of THE WORLD - and I‘ve been to many places, trust me … when you are working there your ski ticket is almost for free and we usually rented a little apartment together, that’s the only way it’s affordable unfortunately, at least for normal people which includes myself 😉 …
guess i will see you in silvretta montafon in Vorarlberg then for the black scorpion runs there :). upto 81% (ca 36,5º) of challenge to be found. and as long as you are in the neighbourhood, might as well visit golm to ski a slightly less steep one called Diabolo, goes upto 70% (ca 31º).
I am checking out the webcams now if they open the runs I may be able to get there this side of Christmas. Thanks for the information I didn’t know of either of these runs!
The back corries nevis range?
Have you ever been to lech ?
Yes mate I have skied there a lot probably eaten in the hotel Montana and 100 times. I ski off piste there but there is no more difficult in bounds run.
coqs at la plagne should be here
I haven’t heard of this one I will add it to this list of runs to do!
Try the top of Mt Fort in Verbier at 3,300m. big gnarly nasty moguls, with steeps of 40-45 degrees, or nearly 100% slope descent. gnarly and difficult. luckily and mercifully, its fairly short @! but still scary.
Well I have added it to this list. Do you know if it’s normally open in the season if there is enough snow as I might go soon. Some of these runs are so steep that they struggle to keep there snow on them so it’s only a few weeks a year. Any advice would be welcome.
I can attest…fun but difficult
@@AlexskiingYes, it is generally open. You'll enjoy Verbier overall.
Yeah, I did that slope.. not easy. I had confused it with Chavanettes but now realise my mistake!!
I think the Mur Suisse (Swiss wall) was even harder before. A number of years ago, they have made the start of it less steep. I mean just the top.
I think I agree but for me it still takes the top spot thanks for the comment.
The Pas de Chèvre off the Grands Montets is long and unpisted.
Avoriaz Wall, been there done that!
Congratulations hope you got down without falling.
Here’s some hate. Several American and Canadian ski resorts have steeper, more critical in-bounds, patrolled runs than are shown here. Big sky, mammoth, palisades, whistler, snowbird, Jackson hole all have tougher runs. But Chamonix beats them all.
Haha thanks I have skied whistler I may go to Jackson this year depends if I have time or not. I am sure there are runs that compare but the classic this is like a blue slope in my home resort is a bit far lol looking forward to skiing in America soon!
@ for some reason North American ski resorts are more willing to include a lot of really critical terrain as open runs. Strange when you consider how many lawyers are in the U.S. but that’s always been part of the ski culture here. But Chamonix says “hold my beer”. Nothing else comes close
Interesting thanks for the information! Looking forward to the trip more now. I have spent alot of time in the USA I used to work on the Goodyear blimp when I was younger. However when it got to winter I got sent back to Europe so I haven’t done much skiing in North America although I have been to whistler as my sister did a season. I’m going to chamonix later this year. If you had to go to one resort in North America should I do Jackson hole?
@ I think you’ve already skied the best that North America has to offer (whistler) especially if you skied it in good weather. But for a runner up? Hmm. Lake Louise is stunning skiing and the icefields parkway is something everyone should do once in their life. Snowbird and Alta have the best snow in the world if you time it right. But if I had to pick one resort it would be palisades. Lots of terrain, usually great weather and a youthful California vibe that the state is famous for. Plus a few other great resorts nearby around Lake Tahoe. Jackson hole is overrated IMO but worth a visit if you’re in the area. Enjoy your time here! Message me if you get to Tahoe and I’ll do a run with you.
Thanks for all that great advice! Lake Louise and Palisades both sound amazing, and I’ll definitely keep them in mind for the future. I really appreciate your offer too-if I ever make it to Tahoe, I’ll be sure to reach out. And if you ever find yourself in Alpe d’Huez, where I live, let me know. It’d be great to share a few runs together!
Lol 😄 blue runs at best bro. Come to revelstoke red white or any other Canadian resort.
欧洲的滑雪场确实很好，欢迎你来到中国滑雪
I would love to ski in China!!
'78 degrees' and there is still snow? LOL!
The Sarenne actually is the longest black run in europe, just barely beating the Schwarze Schneid in Sölden
Thanks and I went to solden it wasn’t open hope to try it soon.
What skis and boots do you have?
I am getting new ski boots this year these skis are the atomic redstar I really like them they are a few years old. I have been skiing on very soft skis as I had a knee injury’s but now I am getting stiffer boots for this year.
@Alexskiing I'm interested in the brand and flex of the boots you skied with
@@vivianpop80 skis ATOMIC REDSTER X9 SERVOTEC GREEN. Mach1 Mv 130 Td Gw Ultra Orange
Don't waste your time. Just go for those K2 flexon type boots. They used to be Full Tilt. They have like a concertina front bit. I would never recommend 'top of the range' as the only time you get what they're designed for is when you're belting it and being aggressive down the hill, and let's face, we never are day-in-day-out.
@@perro0076thanks so much for this comment. I think it might change what I go for to be honest. I spend most of my day skiing with my wife then I do one or two quick or difficult runs so you kind of got me down to a tee.
Your last name is fire
Haha thanks first time I have herd that lol
Streif?
Try langer zug in ski arlberg
That’s been mentioned in the comments a couple of time I will try get there.
Le face - Val D’Isere
Ever so glad my arms aren't as freaky as yours....
I’m sure you’re a pro. Thanks for the comment. 👍
@@Alexskiing I'm not a Pro at all, but I do have experience of videoing skydiving (I'm not a pro at that as I never charged for it). But I do recognise what very much looked like a wide-angle/fish-eye lens focusing at too short a range. That can produce rather rather out of scale pictures when parts of the focus are short-range, and yes, your arms did look rather out-of-scale at various points! The rest of the video was excellent and a good use of the lens - I didn't mean to say it wasn't! I thought the video was excellent, and commentary was interesting and useful.
You are certainly a pro at that, but...don't wave your arms close to a fish-eye, it detracts from your excellent work!
Interesting video, fun to watch but I don’t think I need to actually see and listen to the narrator without a stop.
Each run there it’s without the narrator in the corner.
Alpe Dhuez, worth 4minutes 12 seconds off my time.😮💨
From Switzerland to France? Nah, rather India, Thailand then China.
I don’t understand the comment sorry
Er, these are marked pistes. 🤷🏻♂️
I talk about that in the video.
Sorry but these are not ski runs, are just place where broke your bone..........
This is a comically poor take on Europe's 4 most extreme ski runs. None of these are "extreme", which in itself is a horrible word. These are largely bump runs. The Harikiri can be groomed to the top. He says the Harikiri is 78% but ski slopes are typically measured by degrees and 78% translates to 38 degrees, which is pretty steep for an inbounds ski run, but far from something anyone would call extreme.
What would you say is the most difficult ski run in Europe?
??? These are pretty challenging marked pistes - if you want harder runs it’s yellows in Verbier which aren’t really marked, or off piste.
Give the guy a break, he's only putting up a UTube vid, not making a Panorama documentary.
I have skied 3 of the runs, not Harakiri,
and I have seen people very unnerved by them, some people retracing their steps back through the tunnel.
I have seen skiers fall at the top of the Swiss Wall not coming to a stop until the bottom, and bouncing of the moguls on the way down.
Lots of people peering nervously down from the top of Tunnel faced with moguls the size of VW Beetles, and people losing it on the arete leading to Grand Couloir.
And these are marked trails.
What, especially our US mates may not realise, that in the Alps you are free to ski down anything off piste, an skinny and gnarly couloir.
On a blue piste above Tignes you are free to turn right and take any of the fingers down Les Tufs, where each year people fall and die.
In Europe it is up to you, which I prefer rather than be policed.
@@timhealey3737think this is one of the nicest comments since I started my RUclips channel so thank you. I agree with all your points. Sat in a bar in les duex alpes right now and they all agree with you. The arrogance of skiers on the internet some times put me off the sport.
@@Alexskiing I can't say as there's so much of Europe I haven't skied. That said, let's assume you don't count places like La Grave, the Aguille du Midi or the Skyway. Only major ski resorts and only inbounds skiing. The Bec des Rosses at Verbier might be on the list.
Seriously, no disrespect meant, but when you title something "Europe's 4 most Extreme Ski runs" you're jumping pretty hard into the deep end of clickbait. And you got me to click so I guess you succeeded.
You seem to exaggagerate every word you speak 😅
Just trying to be entertaining maybe I overdo it. Never done commentary before and I wanted to try make it entertaining. Fair comment though
Absolutely nothing wrong with your narration!!!! I like your kinda "sport commentator" style : ) The thing helping
your sound in particular is to keep the mic static, either by keeping hand with microphone still, or putting it on a stand. That will help you with tighter vocal dynamics, especially if you do not place the compressor effect (which sorts that out to a certain degree) on the microphone audio channel when editing video. Last little thing - sometimes your audio levels do not match and vary significantly in volume between the takes, or with edit - again small volume automation and keeping an eye on the levels will do the job! Thanks for the video !
you kinda look like dexter morgan
Careful we share similar personalities 🫠🪓
There is extreme for piste skiers...and then there is real extreme. None of those would pose a challenge to a 15y kid from Nordics.
I’m There are loads of off-piste channels on RUclips. These showcase the hardest in-bound runs that cover thousands of kilometres of piste. A huge majority of 15-year-olds from Nordic countries would struggle, especially the vast majority who don’t ski regularly at 15. I guess the point is that, for the vast majority of the internet, they are extreme, but there is always something harder.
@Alexskiing vast majority of 15y do ski every winter in Nordics. Probably the trickiest part of your video is the way to GC in Courchevel. But for the "Vast Majority in Internet" just skiing itself is challenging.
Am i the only one to whom it seems like the description is made with chatgpt?
We used chatGPT for our wedding vows so it’s quite likely.
@@Alexskiing thought so ;)
What a joke this list…. Far from realistic conclusion.
What are harder runs in Europe?
@@Alexskiinghe doesn’t know bc he’s probably never skiied in Europe
What is hard In this tunnel ??the guy has to push!
You dont know much of alps. In my southern alps I can show you 100 slopes harder than this