The Alps – Determining the most difficult ski run will always be a subjective endeavor. Trails are marked and treated differently in Europe, usually with on-piste versus off-piste routes rather than the cut runs found throughout North America. However, when it comes to the hardest ski runs, Europe has some that stand out.
So saying that one run in the United States is harder than one run in Europe can be pretty difficult. But Europe’s most difficult runs still stand out for their intensity. These hardest ski runs around the globe include Europe’s formidable trails, and here’s a video compilation of the continent’s seven most challenging trails.
“There are some truly terrifying ski runs spread throughout Europe. These runs that are so hard that even the experts should think long and hard before hitting them. From suicide slopes to dangerous French passages, here’s our list of the hardest and scariest ski runs in Europe.“
Related Post: Top 5 Most Dangerous Ski Slopes In The World
The 7 Hardest Ski Runs Across Europe
- The Swiss Wall, which is one of Europe’s hardest ski runs
- The Tunnel, France
- Tortin, Switzerland
- Harakiri, Austria
- Grand Couloir, France
- La Grave, France
- The Streif, Austria
Interesting Facts
- Le Tunnel’s Unique Challenge: At Alpe d’Huez, France, Le Tunnel involves skiing through a 650-foot tunnel carved into the mountain, leading to a steep, mogul-laden slope that’s particularly unforgiving in icy conditions. It’s part of the 16km La Sarenne run, one of the Alps’ longest pistes. Notably, it’s often considered one of the Alps’ hardest ski runs.
- Harakiri’s Steep Gradient: Austria’s Harakiri in Mayrhofen features a 78% gradient at its steepest, making it Austria’s steepest piste. Its icy surface and near-vertical drop inspire its name, derived from the Japanese term for ritual suicide, and survivors can buy “I Survived Harakiri” t-shirts.
- Swiss Wall’s Mogul Madness: The Swiss Wall, or La Chavanette, in Les Portes du Soleil, is infamous for its massive moguls and up to 60% gradient. These hardest ski runs challenge even the most seasoned skiers, as the slope’s full extent isn’t visible until you’re over the edge, heightening the mental challenge.
- Grand Couloir’s Narrow Peril: At Courchevel, France, the Grand Couloir is the steepest and narrowest of the resort’s three couloirs, with icy patches and tight turns that demand precision. It’s accessible only via a vertigo-inducing ridge and is considered among France’s hardest ski runs.
Chart
To visualize the steepness of these slopes, here’s a bar chart comparing their maximum gradients (in percentage). Note: Exact gradient data for some slopes varies slightly by source, but approximate values are used based on the article and general consensus.
This chart highlights Harakiri’s extreme steepness compared to the others, with Le Tunnel being the least steep of the group, though still formidable due to its tunnel and moguls.
