Top Ten Ski Resort Mountains With Steep Chutes

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We ranked our favorite mountains for steep chutes and extreme terrain. We want our double black diamonds to point down with a steep incline. Here are our picks of the best.

1) Crested Butte Colorado (US)

The Peak at Crested Butte is a well known ass kicker. Butte is famous for very steep chutes. 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 our review of Crested Butte CO for more information.

2) Big Sky Montana (US)

"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.

3) Taos New Mexico (US)

Great terrain, great town, great time! They are fully dedicated and committed to the advanced skier.

Taos is the host of the 2007 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships.

4) Silverton Colorado (US)

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 portable tent/building structure as its "lodge". You can rent the required avalanche beacon, shovel, avalanche probe and knapsack. The 2008 season will introduce heliskiing for $150.00 per drop. 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.

5) Mammoth Mountain California (US)

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. While not technically chutes, the runs at the top of the mountain (top of gondola) are also steep and challenging.

See our review of Mammoth Mountain CA for more information on the chutes and the rest of Mammoth.

6) Aspen Highlands Colorado (US)

A great town and the third home to many of the very rich and famous.

Host to Winter X-Games 11.

7) Telluride Colorado (US)

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.

8) Breckenridge Colorado (US)

A variety of terrain. "Lake Chutes" and "Snow White" are upper bowls off of Imperial Express lift, the highest lift in North America (their claim).

See our review of Breckenridge CO for more information.

9) Arapahoe Basin Colorado (US)

Check out "East Wall" (Hike required).

10) Blackcomb (Whistler) (Canada)

I prefer the Blackcomb side for advanced terrain.

See our review of Whistler Blackcomb BC for more information.

Other:

Mount Rose NV (Lake Tahoe): Jackpot chutes are long and stay steep.
(See our Mount Rose resort review)
Jackson Hole WY: Alta Chute between Laramie and Cheyenne
Snowbird UT: Great Scott (45 degree, 850 vertical)
(See our Snowbird resort review)
Squaw Valley CA: KT-22 - Headwall Express, Palisades
(See our Squaw Valley resort review)

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