As we head closer towards Spring skiing and start to move away from the low-angle powder turns and tree skiing that makes mid-winter so much fun, we start to turn our heads more in the direction of the steeps. Chutes and gnarly couloirs are a ton of fun this time of year whether they’re lift-accessed or hike-accessed, and they provide a serious testing ground for the skills you’ve developed throughout the winter. Without further ado, here are 5 of the best resorts for skiing chutes and steeps in the United States.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Two lift rides and a reasonable hike take you to Arapahoe Basin’s incredible East Wall, full of some of the best chutes available in Colorado. The East Wall spreads far above the ski area, providing over 30 different routes for those willing to put in the work. If that’s not enough for you, the mountain’s Steep Gullies will provide some of the most challenging in-bound terrain in the state, requiring some serious commitment for skiers and snowboarders. If you don’t want to hike for your steep terrain, Arapahoe Basin’s Pallavicini lift serves some proper double-black terrain for you to push your limits.
Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird is full of easy-to-access difficult-to-ski terrain, with some proper chutes and steeps available of The Cirque, in Gad Valley, and elsewhere around the mountain. Snowbird is 68% advanced/expert terrain, with the Cirque Traverse offering several gnarly chutes. You won’t have a hard time finding a run to push your limits, especially with icons like Great Scott and the Gad Chutes.
Big Sky, Montana
The concept of a triple black diamond might seem like a bit of a gimmick, but Big Sky Resort doesn’t do it just for the fame. The chutes, couloirs, and gullies off the Lone Peak Tram are no joke, and the iconic Big Couloir takes some serious consideration and planning before hitting. You don’t need to get on the tram to find gnarly stuff either. The Headwaters Zone is full of the same intense triple diamond mark that’s sure to make any expert skier nervous.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
When it comes to chutes and couloirs, there’s none quite as legendary as Corbet’s Couloir at Jackson Hole. But mentioning Corbet’s only barely scratches the surface of the gnarly terrain that the Wyoming resort provides. The Expert Chutes, the Alta Chutes, Tower 3 Chute, and so much more will push your limits. With both inbound and gate-accessed steeps available to skiers and snowboarders, it would be impossible for the expert to find themselves bored.
Palisades Tahoe, California
There are few resorts quite as iconic as Palisades Tahoe. Home to some of the best steeps in the United States, many of which are clearly visible from the lift, Palisades Tahoe puts on a show practically every day. Off the KT-22 Express, skiers and snowboarders can rip McConkey’s, jump of some gnarly cliffs, rip through the Fingers, or find plenty of other routes with plenty of audience. Then of course there’s the Palisades that the resort is named for. If you want to stand and shred sweet steeps in the same place as legends, Palisades Tahoe is the place to do it.