Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado is home to what is widely-recognized as the steepest cut run in the United States which holds a consistent 55-degree pitch. Its called Rambo and anyone who chooses to challenge it can expect to combat obstacles like small trees and moguls which are peppered throughout. It is s notoriously unforgiving and honestly a bit masochistic.
After making down Rambo this veteran skier remarked it was easily the steepest thing he had ever been down and the worst ski run in the world. The Rambo experience left a lasting impression on him and he won’t be back.
“This is the only trail I have ever skied at a resort that I will never ski again. Out of 46 resorts and thousands of runs, this is not fun. After a year and a half since this experience I still look back in disdain at this run.”
“The tree stumps make a steep trail much much steeper as the back side of the stumps are near vertical. There are tons of rocks and branches beneath the snow making consistent turns very challenging. The width between the stumps is barely enough for the length of a ski. I think what makes this trail so bad is that it never truly lets up in steepness, it is very consistent compared to many of the most challenging trails. My “fall” towards the top was over so quickly that I did not have time to panic, just had to fall into the mountain and do what I know. I got extremely lucky as a fall down the slope could have been really bad.”
So this skier was one and done when it comes to skiing Rambo but professional skier Drew Peterson takes it on ever year. This is how Drew negotiates the steepest run in America:
Crested Butte Ski Patrol is famous for its sense of humor when drawing up trail signs for Rambo like this one which includes a question and answer session with the legendary ski run:
Transcript:
Q&A with RAMBO:
Q: So, you’re Crested Butte’s most difficult ski line?
A: Oh no, not by a long shot. I’m not nearly as hard as anything off Skadi Ridge…or half the stuff you can ski from NF Cliffs to 3rd Bowl. I just got labeled as “North America’s steepest cut run” and now I’m a GoPro magnet, ha ha.
Q: Well, you must off good skiing then?
A: No, wouldn’t say that. I mostly offer challenging side slipping and minimal turns between thickets of overgrown vegetation, stumps and rocks. That’s kinda my deal.
Q: Well, why are you so popular Rambo?
A: I have no idea. Why are the Kardashians so popular? People just love me, even though I’m mean. SKI WITH CARE
-RAMBO
ABOUT RAMBO:
Crested Butte is full of extremes to hang your bragging rights on, and Rambo is the iconic steep, fast and bumpy unicorn. Often referred to as the steepest lift-serviced tree-cut run in the U.S., Rambo gets a lot of hype with its continuous fall line and sheer drop. Ski Powder Rock Glade or Hawks Nest to a cat track to get there. You can side-step the first 15 boney feet if you’re not comfortable with hopping around prominent rocks. After the initial drop, follow the natural moguls and look for the flow of the trees. The right side tends to be a little easier, left is steeper.
