Black ski runs are the most advanced pistes on the mountain, suited for experienced skiers and snowboarders that can tackle this tricky terrain. Some resorts even go beyond the black piste with double black diamond runs for experts only.
We’ve put together the ultimate top 5 black runs in Europe. From beginner blacks to harakiri-extreme pistes, you’ll feel like a ski champion after executing these advanced slopes.
5. Aiguille Rouge in Les Arcs, France
A Black/Red run for starters
If your ski legs aren’t warmed up yet, they will be after this. From the top of Aiguille Rouge in Les Arcs at 3226m you can take the epic 7km Aiguille Rouge run down 2000 vertical metres to the village of Villaroger. It’s a mix of terrain starting as a black run for the first half, then a red piste through the trees for the remainder of the run. The steepest section is at the top, after that it feels more like a red run.
View ski deals in Les Arcs
Top of the Aiguille Rouge on an Iglu Ski trip in late April
4. Saslong in Selva, Italy
A world class thrill
The World Cup Saslong run from Selva down into St Christina ‘is awesome’ says James. It’s not a difficult black run, as there are steeps followed by flats, followed by steeps, etc. So if you are flying down the piste you can get lots of air just as the downhill racers do when the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup comes to Val Gardena. Extreme fun paired with the beautiful scenery and the stunning mountain range backdrop.
View ski deals to Selva
The Saslong mountain peak (to the right) near Selva in Val Gardena, Italy
3. La Sache in Tignes, France
Not for the faint hearted
AJ, Sales Director: My favourite black run in the Espace Killy is La Sache. There is a big caveat on this though, it must be done before lunch or maybe at lunchtime when the pistes are emptier. Some of the narrower and steeper sections get very crowded with skiers negotiating the monster moguls that form during the day that makes it a nightmare later in the day. Just before lunch is ideal because there is a great little Savoyard restaurant in Tignes-Les-Brévières called La Sachette that you can stop at after. At 1550m, this is the lowest point in the whole Espace Killy and therefore the warmest and best for dining outdoors.
Scotty, Senior Sales Expert: The first time you do La Sache you just wonder where the hell you are going to end up, it’s steep, bendy but awesome.
View ski deals to Tignes
2. Grand Couloir, Courchevel, France
Terror at the top
At the top of Saulire at 2700m there is just one of the famous Courchevel couloirs marked on a piste map as a run, the Grand Couloir. This famous piste is often high on the list for the scariest black run in the world and can get extremely mogully if it hasn’t snowed in a while.
To get to the Grand Couloir there is a narrow ridge that gets icy and grooved so you can’t turn your skis to slow down. As you pick up speed the ridge gets steeper and bumpier. I’ve seen quite a few skiers lose their nerve and bail out at this stage but if you hold your nerve there is a small space to stop at the end of the track. The GC is steep to start but it quickly widens, it is steeper if you keep to skier’s right and stay in the shadow to get the best snow.
View ski deals to Courchevel
The Grand Couloir is the larger gully on the right side of the photo
1. Chassoure – Tortin, Verbier, Switzerland
The possibilities are endless
From the Chassoure peak in Verbier there are a few options to make your descent, depending on the snow fall and conditions these slopes can change daily. From the top you can drop straight in and face the moguls of ‘the wall’ or traverse along and ski down when you see a preferred route. The 700m track takes you down to Tortin where you can head up toward Mont Fort, or tackle the Chassoure-Tortin run again. This was described as a ‘skiers dream’ by one of the team, but beware as this is world renowned as an extreme ski run.
View ski deals to Verbier
Love moguls? You are in for a treat on Chassoure - Tortin
Runners up
If you're looking to tantalise your extreme taste buds further, here is a quick rundown of more brilliant black pistes in Europe:
For Starters: Piste 21 (under Chairlift 1), Kitzbühel, wide black run with flatter sections
For Excitement: Through the tunnel in Alpe d’Huez …… stop… out the door…. ARRRHH. Beware, it’s steep.
For Fear Factor: Anything down Mont Gele in Verbier.
For Endurance: Point de Vue at Grand Montets in Chamonix, the run goes on forever.
For Mogul Mania: Top of the Valluga in St Anton, it’s about half a mile of moguls!
Gulp factor: Pan du Fou, Nendaz. If you’re a chicken then you turn right.
For the best ski deals from the UK's largest ski travel agency, sign up to our newsletter here.
