TOP SIXTEEN RUNS FOR THRILL-SEEKING SKIERS
There is no greater thrill on the hill than carving your way down a challenging run with a perma-grin plastered on your face. And when you're lucky enough to ski at one of our Tahoe resorts, you're granted countless runs that are sure to pin your ears back.
Kirkwood, California
1. THE WALL , opens in a new window
Swallow hard and drop into this double-black run for white-knuckle fun. If you’re looking for varied terrain, it’s all here: steep chutes, deep gullies, staggering cliff drops.
Keep your head on a swivel—the action escalates quickly on The Wall.
Heavenly, California
2. THE FACE , opens in a new window
A double-black run traversing under the Gunbarrel Express on the California side of the mountain, The Face is known for being seriously steep and rugged.
Pro tip: Take on the challenge earlier in the day, when your legs are fresh, rather than saving it for a finishing run.
Northstar, California
3. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN , opens in a new window
Head for Lookout Mountain to explore 200 burly acres. Recent additions of a high-speed quad and improved glading have distinguished Northstar's Backside on Lookout as an expert magnet.
To get here from the village base, ride Big Springs Express Gondola to Comstock Express to the 8,610-foot summit of Mt. Pluto.
Heavenly, California
4. MOTT AND KILLEBREW CANYONS , opens in a new window
Located on the Nevada side of the mountain, these adjoining canyons include more than 20 trails, the majority of which are steep, narrow chutes.
This is true expert terrain—some of the most challenging in the country, with varying conditions—so be sure your fitness is up to the task.
Navigate the whoop-dee-dos on the rugged traverse to Killebrew Canyon at Heavenly’s far eastern end and enjoy a playground of 45-degree chutes slicing through cliffs, powder stashes days after the storm, and pillows galore.
Heavenly, California
5. PIPELINE , opens in a new window
Practice your pipe skills on Pipeline, a natural half-pipe just inside Gate A. Pipeline faces the north/northeast side and boasts a 41-degree natural half-pipe which will make you feel like you're surfing the Sierras.
Northstar, California
6. SAWTOOTH RIDGE , opens in a new window
Sawtooth Ridge (off Backside Express) offers nine sustained runs—Tonini’s is the longest, The Plunge the steepest. Bring your A-game and veer into the tight trees.
Kirkwood, California
7. SENTINEL BOWL , opens in a new window
Warm up in Sentinel Bowl, right off of Chair 6. Come here for a fast and steep ride and some of the deepest powder you'll ever experience.
Kirkwood, California
8. PALISADES , opens in a new window
It’s a Kirkwood tradition to end the day on Palisades, the run that swoops Kirkwood’s six-mile ridgeline, far skier’s left of Chair 6. Kirkwood is famous for its powder days.
EPIC Runs Beyond Tahoe
Want even more thrills, chills, and hills? Head up to the Rocky Mountains or up to Canada.
Discover new challenging bowls, steep hills, and vertical blacks found on the versatile mountainsides of Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone.
Breckenridge, Colorado
9. IMPERIAL BOWL , opens in a new window
Take the Imperial Express SuperChair to experience the highest chairlift in North America at 12,998 feet above sea level. Steep and speedy, with a stunning view up top, this area of the mountain is designed for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
10. COCKALORUM , opens in a new window
If you like to earn your turns, head to Cockalorum. Although it can be challenging to reach, the snow is almost always superb.
If you feel intimidated, drop into the run a little later, by scouting easier entrances following traverse lines. Take Peak Chair to Upper Peak to Creek.
Beaver Creek, Colorado
11. BIRDS OF PREY AND RAPTOR , opens in a new window
These adjacent downhill courses are truly elite, routinely hosting world-class events.
Birds of Prey is considered one of the most technically demanding tracks in the world. Raptor, built prior to the 2015 Women’s World Championship Races, saw top speeds in excess of 75 mph!
You might not hit those speeds but you’ll certainly feel like one of the pros on these runs.
Vail, Colorado
12. PRIMA CORNICE , opens in a new window
Vail’s Back Bowls steal most of the attention, but some of the best expert skiing resides on the Front Side. Take the Northwoods Express to Prima Cornice, the steepest and arguably most challenging run on the mountain.
Vail, Colorado
13. HIGHLINE , opens in a new window
At the top of Highline, get ready to showcase your mogul-slaying talents. This run drops directly under the lift at a steady 28- to 30-degree pitch with unforgiving bumps.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
14. WEST CIRQUE , opens in a new window
While the entrance can pose a bit of a challenge, forcing skiers to sidestep over rocks left uncovered by the extreme pitch of the run, the reward is in the steep turns waiting past the entrance.
Take the Peak Chair and stay high as you ski down Upper Peak to Creek.
Breckenridge, Colorado
15. PEAK 6 , opens in a new window
Peak 6 offers 543 acres of terrain, including 143 acres of hike-to. The key word to Peak 6 is variety—airy and tight glades, intermediate groomed terrain, beautiful bowls, and a ridgeline that begs to be hiked.
Keystone, Colorado
16. OUTBACK , opens in a new window
On the Keystone trail map you'll notice the Outback, a remote tree-skiing haven that is purposely ungroomed. It’s also the gateway to a mile-long boot pack up to Wapiti Peak (12,354 feet), full of high-alpine, expert-only terrain.
Don’t be dissuaded by the three gondola/lift rides required to access the Outback (River Run Gondola, Outpost Gondola, Outback Express).
