Top Ten Ski Resort Mountains With Steep Chutes
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 | We ranked our favorite mountains for steep chutes and extreme terrain. These are the best advanced ski mountains where the double black diamonds point down with a steep incline. Here are our picks of the best. |
"Big Couloir" is a 42 degree, 1,400 plus vertical foot, rock lined chute on the peak of "Lone Mountain". One at a time, please. To get there take the Lone Peak Tram. "The Gullies" is also available from the same tram.
If that doesn't do it for you, look for the 50 degree "Castro's Shoulder" also on the same peak. It's all steep off this peak.
See: color terrain contour image of Big Sky
It has only one, two seater
chair lift installed in 2002
and requires traversing or hiking to reach many of the runs.
While much of Silverton Mountain resembles back country skiing
and is ungroomed, it is avalanche controlled.
This is NOT a luxury resort and hosts a wood stove heated pordiv
tent/building structure as its "lodge".
You can rent the required avalanche beacon, shovel, avalanche probe and knapsack.
Heliskiing was introduced in 2008, and for for $150.00 per drop, its a deal. This sure beats the long hikes to fresh powder.
Open Thursday through Sunday.
See our review of Silverton Mountain CO for more information on the chutes and the rest of Silverton.
Ski "Drop Out" under lift 23 or "Avalanche Chutes" off of lift 22 for a variety of steep chutes.
"Avalanche Chutes" are sure to give you a rush.
If that's not enough, try or Philippes.
While not technically chutes, the runs at the top of the mountain (top of gondola) are also steep and challenging.
See: color terrain contour image of Mammoth Mountain
See our review of Mammoth Mountain CA for more information as well as our coverage of the Avi Chutes and Upper Double Black Terrain at Mammoth Mountain.
The Peak at Crested Butte is a well known ass kicker. Butte is famous for very steep chutes: try Banana Chute. It is their forte and pride.
They officially claim 23% beginner, 57 % intermediate and 20% advanced.
Not sure who did this accounting but I couldn't dissagree more.
Perhaps they don't want to scare people.
The vast majority of the upper mountain is double black diamond steep chutes. You won't get to it all in one day. I LOVE IT!
See: color terrain contour image of Crested Butte
See our review of Crested Butte CO for more information.
Great terrain, great town, great time!
They are fully dedicated and committed to the advanced skier.
Steep tree runs, steep faces, steep chutes off of the upper ridge line, steep mogul runs, ... they do steep here!
See: color terrain contour image of Taos
Taos is the host of the 2007 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships.
A great town and the third home to many of the very rich and famous.
Try Aspen Highlands Bowl for some hikeable steep terrain.
Also see: color terrain contour image of Aspen Highlands
Host to Winter X-Games 11 and 12.
This mountain has copious quantities of challenging terrain for the advanced skier.
The lifts near town are the quickest way there. The traditional steep chutes can be found on runs such as "Dihedral Chute" on "Black Iron Bowl" off of lift 12 (Prospect Lift) plus a hike.
See: color terrain contour image of Telluride
A variety of terrain. "Lake Chutes" and "Snow White" are upper bowls off of Imperial Express lift (lift opens late and closes early), the highest lift in North America (their claim).
See: color terrain contour image of Lake Chutes
See our review of Breckenridge CO for more information.
Check out the "Upper East Wall" (hike required). The milder and lift accessible Pallavichini is a good double black warm-up for the wall.
See: color terrain contour image of Arapahoe Basin
See our review of Arapahoe Basin CO or our coverage of the Upper East Wall for more information.
I prefer the Blackcomb side for advanced terrain.
See: color terrain contour image of Whistler Blackcomb
See our review of Whistler Blackcomb BC and Whistler tree runs for more information.
- Mount Rose NV (Lake Tahoe): Jackpot chutes are long and stay steep.
See: color contour image of Mount Rose
(See our Mount Rose resort review) - Jackson Hole WY: Alta Chute between Laramie and Cheyenne
See: color contour image of Jackson Hole
(See our Jackson Hole resort review) - Snowbird UT: Great Scott (45 degree, 850 vertical) and Upper Cirque
See: color contour image of Snowbird
(See our Snowbird resort review) - Squaw Valley CA: KT-22 - Headwall Express, Palisades
See: color contour image of Squaw Valley
(See our Squaw Valley resort review) - Alta UT: Alf's High Rustler
See: color contour image of Alta
(See our Alta resort review)
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