Five of North America's Scariest Ski Runs and Lines

Green, blue, black—for skiers, run difficulty gradings are a second language that makes digesting resort maps quick and easy. Want a mellow groomer? Blue’s probably your best bet. In the mood for a thigh-buster? Head for a black or double black.

However, at a certain point—usually when skiers reach that upper intermediate or expert status—these colored shapes lose meaning. The grading system has a limit, as skiing can be much more difficult than a few colored shapes can account for. Unless we start labeling certain lines as quintuple blacks, that probably won’t change, which is for the better. I’d rather say a run or line is terrifying rather than agonize over how many diamonds it qualifies for.

Where are those fabled double black and beyond runs, you ask? Right here. For your viewing pleasure, we've compiled a super-scientific (not really) list of North America’s scariest runs and lines.

5. S&S Couloir—Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

(Above) Watch as 17-year-old Jackson Hole local Jack Kilmain laces a rare hop-to-wallride entrance of the S&S couloir.

Corbet’s Couloir is one of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming’s claims to fame. It hosts the Kings & Queens competition and entices loads of intrepid skiers each year. Don’t be surprised if someone asks you if you skied Corbet’s after your trip to Jackson.

But the truly rowdy skiers know that Corbet’s isn’t the place to secure real bragging rights. That title goes to S&S Couloir , which sits on the same ridge as Corbet’s. Named after the first skiers to ride it—Charlie Sands and John Sims—S&S Couloir offers two options. Either you attempt a mandatory 20-foot air or slide down a rock face. The line’s so buck that JHMR’s ski patrol team requires skiers to sign out before trying it.

4. The Coffin—Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia’s Peak Express, is home to a happening freeride scene—for good reason. Everywhere you look, there’s steep, committing, and techy terrain. One favorite, among many others, is The Coffin. This narrow rock slot stands to the skier’s right of Whistler Bowl. For better or worse, it’s located near the chair, so—should you choose to attempt it—you’ll have an audience. With the Coffin checked off, there’s loads more lines accessible from the Peak Express. One of which—Air Jordan—might be Whistler’s most well-known test piece.

3. McConkey’s—Palisades Tahoe, California

McConkey’s is a wall-like feature to the skier’s left of Palisade Tahoe, California’s KT-22 chair. As you might’ve guessed, the zone’s named for Shane McConkey, one of the greatest freeride skiers ever. Shane’s namesake is wickedly steep with a lower shelf, meaning most approaches require mandatory airtime. Making matters more complicated is a smattering of peppery, sharkey rocks that regularly snagged unsuspecting skiers. Here, success requires careful planning. Failure could end with a trip to the hospital.

2. Lobotomy—Crystal Mountain, Washington

Ski run names are often literal. Powder bowl (that’s obvious). West Cirque (it’s West—it’s a cirque). Enchanted forest (maybe that’s a stretch, but skiing in the woods on a powder day can feel fantastical).

Lobotomy, in its own way, is literal, too. The line’s a true no fall zone with a blind entrance, and its name hints at what could happen to your brain if something goes wrong. Located in Crystal Mountain, Washington’s side-country, Lobotomy is one of a few puckering lines available from the top of the Silver King, standing between Brain Damage (not kidding) and Pinball.

Mercifully, The King has plenty of options for your more-average skier. Hourglass, another chute, gets the adrenaline going with less terrifying exposure, and The King’s backside—Silver Basin—provides plenty of gentle, open, rolling terrain.

1. Rambo—Crested Butte, Colorado

All of the previous lines on this list are big mountain style features but Rambo, a cut run at Crested Butte, Colorado, isn’t. The run boasts sustained 55-degree steepness , enormous bumps, and plenty of shrubbery to keep things interesting. It’s known for being one of the steepest manmade runs in North America. Don’t let the tree cut fool you, though. Rambo isn’t an Alaskan spine, but it’ll still kick your butt.

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