Brains
For those who seek the thrill of steep descents, Europe’s ski resorts offer some of the most challenging runs in the world. These runs demand technical skill, nerves of steel, and a love for the adrenaline rush that only a steep, fast slope can provide.
Determining the steepest ski run is a science as well as an art form. Do you count the overall gradient of the entire run, or do you take just the steepest part? Several ski runs claim to be the steepest in Europe or even the world, so resorts seem to leave it up to their own interpretation of how to define it. For example, Rambo at Crested Butte, Colorado, has an angle of 55° (or 143% in percent). However, the whole run is only about 900 feet (300 meters) long, whereas all the European ones mentioned are much longer. So, some of these runs may not be the pitch for the entire run, but certainly for long stretches. The resort typically reports the numbers used in our article; we have not independently verified them.
For our list of Europe’s steepest runs, we have stated both the angle in degrees and percentage of the pitch. It can get confusing, but to briefly explain this, a ski slope with a 100% pitch will descend 100 meters (or 100 feet) per 100 meters (or 100 feet). It will have an angle of 45º. The terminology varies from gradient to pitch to slope, adding to the confusion. The angle used for the pitch of a ski run is the bottom angle (see picture below), which in the case of a 45° angle will also be 45° (all three angles in a triangle add up to 180° in case you forgot your high school Maths). Some resorts have allegedly reported the top angle and not the bottom one, but unless we employ a geologist, we will have to trust the resort numbers.
Black Wall, Glacier 3000, Switzerland
With a 46° gradient and a pitch of 102%, the Black Wall at Glacier 3000 is certainly one of the steepest runs in Europe and maybe even the world. The run is only accessible through a tunnel dug especially by the Glacier 3000 resort. It was opened in the 2022-23 season and runs 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) down from the Col du Pillon and covers 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) vertically, with a gradient of 46° in the steepest section. Glacier 3000 is 20 minutes from Gstaad and 40 minutes from Montreux.
Gamsleiten 2, Obertauern, Austria
Gamsleiten 2 has a 45° gradient and a pitch of 100%. The run is 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) long and starts at the highest point in the Obertauern ski area at 7,589 feet (2,313 meters) elevation. It is not typically groomed and often features moguls. It is a must for every experienced skier and snowboarder visiting the area. Obertauern is about 80 minutes from Salzburg, Austria.
The Swiss Wall, Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland
Situated at the border of France and Switzerland, you find the Swiss Wall or La Chavanette. Some sources have reported a gradient of anywhere from 32° to 37° to 50°, but the latter might just apply to short, steep sections. There are also usually large moguls (> 6 feet) as the run is not groomed, so either way will be a nice challenge for even the most experienced skiers.
Manni Pranger Piste, Bergeralm, Austria
This one is a bit of a wildcard as the resort no longer grooms it, but technically, it still exists. The Manni Pranger Piste is named after Austrian ski racer Manfred Pranger and has been the site of several speed records. It is considered to possibly be the steepest run in Europe, with a gradient of 46° or 102% pitch. The 1.2-mile run (2 kilometers) offers a vertical drop of 1,640 feet (500 meters) and can be seen as the black dotted line in the trail map below, marked as a “ski route” and not an official piste. The new Manni Pranger run (1b on the map) is now a red run that cuts through the trees on the side rather than going straight down. So, the run is unfortunately no longer groomed, but if you are keen to give it a go, it certainly still seems possible.
Poubelle Couloir, Chamonix, France
Literally named the “Garbage Couloir,” this run is technically not a run, but since you can access it from the top of the gondola at Chamonix, we included it in the list. You need to rappel first into the chute, so it’s more of a freeride run. Like Corbet’s Colouir, this ungroomed run attracts quite the crowd at the top, waiting to see who is brave or crazy enough to go down. Please note, the couloir is not marked or maintained as a run by the resort. The overall gradient of the Poubelle Couloir is 45° or 100%.
Streif, Kitzbühel, Austria
Critics will say that the famous Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria, is technically not a run but rather a section of a run on the Hahnenkamm peak, however, how could this famous Downhill course be left from this list? The Streif features the famous Mausefalle (mouse trap) section which has a 40.4° or 85% pitch but comes in across its entire length at 15.1° or 27% pitch. It will still make your knees shake at a total length of 2.06 miles (3.3 kilometers) and a vertical of 2,822 feet (860 meters).
Piste Minor, Lagalb/St. Moritz, Switzerland
Piste Minor at Lagalb has a gradient of 40.5° or 86%, making it the steepest in the Engadin Valley. The black run at this small resort near St. Moritz covers 2,795 feet (852 meters) vertically. The resort only has one small tramway, and if you’re fast, you can try chasing the tramway down, which runs in 10-minute intervals. Lagalb is connected in the valley with Diavolezza with a little conveyor. The combined ski area offers a total of 45 kilometers (28 miles) of groomed runs up to 9,705 feet (2,958 meters). Lagalb is part of the St. Moritz ski area, joining the IKON Pass this year.
Kandahar, Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Zugspitze, Germany
The famous Kandahar World Cup run in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is open to the public and offers a peak gradient of 43° or 92%. The name of the run goes back to Frederick Roberts, Earl of Kandahar, who was vice-president of the Public Schools Alpine Sports Club in 1903 and in whose name several FIS races are still held to this day. The run is in total 7 kilometers (4.35 miles) and goes from 1,690 meters to 770 meters (5,545 feet to 2,526 feet), covering a total vertical of 920 meters (3,018 feet). The 92% pitch is on the “Freier Fall” (English: “Free Fall”) section of the course (see image below). The run is labeled as 5a (2.92 kilometers/1.81 miles) and 5b (3.33 kilometers/2.07 miles) on the trail map and is sure to make your thighs burn.
Grand Couloir, Courchevel/Les 3 Vallées, France
Grand Couloir is the steepest of the three couloirs accessible from the Saulire cable car in Courchevel, part of the 3 Vallées ski area. It boasts a gradient of 45° or 100% with a vertical drop of 1,476 feet (450 meters). The run is, in total, 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometers) long. It’s a narrow, steep chute that demands technical precision and is often icy, adding to the challenge of this legendary run. If that’s not enough for you to feel challenged, Les 3 Vallées has 34 black runs.
Black Ibex, Kaunertal, Austria
Opened in the 2019-20 season, the Black Ibex is considered the steepest run in Austria and is located on the Kaunertal Glacier. With 41.3° or 87.85% pitch, it offers thrilling turns on Austria’s famous glacier. It is quite short by comparison at only 0.4 kilometers (1,312 feet) but offers a vertical drop of 182 meters (597 feet). It is the steepest slope in Austria.
These runs are not just slopes but experiences—each offering a unique combination of steep gradients, dramatic vertical drops, and stunning alpine scenery. For skiers who thrive on the edge, these runs represent the pinnacle of European skiing challenges, so if you like to challenge yourself, why not try one of these resorts for some ultimate bragging rights?
Re: Poubelle Couloir: Where? There are about 5 ski areas in Chamonix and this narrative isn’t clear. It should be noted that this line is at Les Grands Montets.