Photo: Revelstoke//Instagram
There’s something about the mountains that calls to us. It might be the challenge of an unreachable summit, or the allure of untouched terrain, or the exhilaration of a breakneck descent. No matter what it is, we see a mountain, we want to climb it – or, as snowboarders and skiers, we want to shred it. That primal urge has pushed ample explorers, adventurers, and athletes to test their mettle amongst the elements.
Of course, some mountains are more of a test than others. Following are 10 of the most gnarly North American resorts, in terms of terrain. They aren’t strictly about steep ‘n deep, or thigh-burning moguls; they’re places where conquering the terrain means facing down nature, sometimes at its rawest. From treacherous cliffs to rocky couloirs, these mountains don’t offer easy victories — they demand respect, focus, and a little bit of cray-cray.
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10. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Praised for its chalky snow, Taos Ski Valley is a no-nonsense haven for anyone who thrives on gnarly, steep, unfiltered terrain. The hill’s legendary Kachina Peak, towering at 12,481 feet, delivers scenic, big-mountain skiing at its most rugged. Prior to lift construction in 2015, Kachina Peak was only accessible via 45-minute hike, offering diehards access to the best of Taos’ rocky, expert-only terrain. Even now, Kachina Peak’s chair service is always weather-dependent – accessible by hike early in the season, until snowy forecasts prompt lift service, typically around mid-January.
Still, the mountain’s all about earning your turn. Hike-to terrain at Highline Ridge and West Basin offer fresh, desert powder, an array of hidden steeps, double-blacks boasting some of North America’s most technical terrain, and a slew of untouched tree runs. The dry, light snow typical of Taos’ high-altitude, arid environment makes for effortless, dreamy turns that riders chase all season long.
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9. Kirkwood, California
Affectionately dubbed The Wood (or Kirkweed), Kirkwood Mountain Resort is renowned for its ample cornices, chutes, and cliffs. Whether you’re launching off a cornice, or navigating the tight, rocky twists of Chamoix, Kirkwood is a playground for lovers of the steeps. With over 2,300 acres of terrain (nearly 60 percent of which is expert only), it’s not a mountain for the weak-willed.
Located about 30 miles south of South Lake Tahoe, the resort’s iconic ridge lines and cornices often drop into unanticipated, rock-laden obstacles, forcing riders to make split-second decisions. When conditions align, the powder here is unmatched, but low snowfall can make the mountain’s coveted chutes uneven and unyielding. From mandatory straight-lining, to sheer cliffs, The Wood rewards the bold.
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8. Mount Baker, Washington
If you can never step in the same river twice, then you can’t ski the same mountain twice either. That goes double for Mount Baker. Washington’s northernmost active volcano is home to a constantly shifting landscape. The heavily glaciated terrain is consistently changed by an ever-shifting alpine frontier. The mountain also boasts the deepest snow base in North America, averaging a staggering 660 inches per year. Fluffy powder buries a network of Extreme Danger Zones that plunge into unmarked, rocky chutes and narrow couloirs. Runs feature mandatory free-falls and straight-lines that require surgical precision (like Gunsight), with the most difficult terrain accessible off Chair 1. Baker is a stripped-down, raw, natural beauty. Poke down through the powder and you’ll see deep into the other-worldly, blue glaciers that make this hill a backcountry aficionado’s dream.
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7. Palisades Tahoe, California
The self-proclaimed Spring-Skiing Capital of America, few places match the magic of Palisades Tahoe. If you’re up for some slush on a bluebird day, you can even ride through June.
Once called Squaw Valley, Palisades Tahoe encompasses twin ski areas roughly 15-minutes apart by shuttle. Alpine Meadows grants riders access to open, hike-to back bowls, while Olympic Valley’s steep runs were favored by legends like Shane McConkey. Epic in beauty and in stature, this isn’t just a mountain; it’s a proving ground for freeride skiers and snowboarders. From the moment you step off the lift, you’re greeted by terrain that demands your full focus. The Fingers comprise a series of razor-thin chutes that challenge even the most seasoned riders. Runs like Eagle’s Nest (or McConkey’s) aren’t just legendary in name, they’re intense in execution. Some riders (including legendary filmmaker Scott Gaffney) have only narrowly survived them. This is a mountain that doesn’t pull punches.
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6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There’s ample debate about whether or not the mountain’s become overhyped, but try to tackle Corbet’s Couloir without the necessary skills and you’ll understand that Jackson Hole doesn’t mess around. Discovered by mountaineer Barry Corbet in 1960, the run starts with a terrifying 20-foot drop that’s become a rite of passage for the insane, and a big part of what makes the ski area the stuff of legend. And that’s just the gnar people can see from the tram. Places like Granite, Cody Bowl and other high-alpine side-country stashes have been featured in countless ski and snowboard films.
True experts might also be drawn to S&S Couloir, Corbert’s gnarlier step-cousin, and an inbounds monster. For Jackson Hole icon Bob Kilmain, poor conditions once made a mandatory front-flip the only way to clear it. Get it wrong and you’re breaking your hands or smashing into a rock wall.
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5. Snowbird, Utah
Don’t let its family friendly allure deceive you, Snowbird is a high-octane destination for expert skiers and riders who thrive on steep, technical terrain. Renowned for its exceptional snowfall (over 500 inches annually), the hill offers some of the craggiest chutes, cliff drops, and bowls in North America. With 92 percent of its terrain geared toward intermediate and expert riders, Snowbird isn’t for the weak-kneed. The ski-area delivers pure, unfiltered challenges. The mountain’s huge vertical drops, taxing pitches, and surprise obstacles are daunting. Dry, reliable Utah powder cushions the blow.
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4. Crested Butte, Colorado
For Colorado’s Crested Butte, there’s no question where the toughest terrain lies: Rambo, the steepest ski run in North America. With a heart-stopping 55-degree pitch, the tree-cut run is a relentless descent packed with stumps, moguls, and hard-to-see rocks. But the hill’s less-famous runs are deceptively dubious, too. A wrong turn on nearly any of the resort’s extreme inbound terrain could send you tumbling off a cliff.
For those chasing the hardest lines, the High Lift T-Bar is the gateway to the rarely-open Teocalli 2 Bowl (or Teo 2), a notoriously challenging area that demands riders earn their turns. A 30-minute hike to reach the road to Paradise Bowl might sound like a slog, but when the conditions are right, it’s worth every step.
Record snowfall in 2023 and 2024 saw Teo 2 open for the third and fourth times since its addition during the 2014-2015 season. Fingers crossed that 2025 will mark three years of consecutive access.
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3. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia
Tucked away in Western Canada in the railroad town of Golden near the headwaters of the Columbia River, Kicking Horse is a remote, freeride Mecca. With a staggering 4,000-foot vertical drop, 85 inbound chutes, and five sprawling bowls, it’s no surprise this BC icon is a fixture on the Freeride World Tour. The mountain’s extreme terrain is built for the bold, featuring steep ridges, cliff bands, and couloirs that demand precision and nerve. The champagne powder stashed deep in the plethora of bowls makes for endless lines of light, dry snow. Plus, a single-gondola takes you straight to the top. But riders beware, once you reach the summit, there’s no easy bailout: most runs are top-to-bottom, with few mid-mountain lifts to break up the action. Every descent is a test of both technical skill and endurance. With its remote location, rugged lines, and heart-pounding descents, Kicking Horse offers an unforgettable adventure for those ready to take on the wild.
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2. Big Sky, Montana
New infrastructure developments have changed the game for Big Sky. Once a relatively remote resort with a small, shaky tram to access its intimidating Lone Mountain summit, Big Sky is on the cusp of becoming a big-mountain staple. The 2023-2024 season saw the debut of the first new tram at a North American resort in 15 years, shuttling up to 75 passengers to the 11,116-foot peak. Replacing the slower Six Shooter lift, the 2024-2025 season is likewise set to see the addition of the Madison 8 lift, the world’s longest eight-person chair (complete with heated seats and a bubble). But even with these recent improvements, the mountain’s legendary terrain remains the star. Complete with steep ‘n deep runs, no-fall zones, and powder-filled bowls, Big Sky has a reputation for testing even the best skiers.
The iconic Big Couloir is a run so daunting, it’s often-regarded as one of the most dangerous inbound runs in North America. The trail exudes an expert-only vibe. Check out Mark Davidson’s gnarly line down the legendary run.
Beyond that, Big Sky isn’t just about extreme terrain — it’s about scale. The resort features a 4,350-foot vertical drop, and extends over an expansive 5,800 acres, offering a range of nail-biting chutes and cliffs, and awe-inspiring glades. This is a place where the thrill of skiing is matched only by the mountain’s unparalleled beauty — and its inherent danger. Epic.
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1. Revelstoke, British Columbia
At 5,620 feet, Revelstoke’s vertical drop trumps every other mountain on this list. In fact, the resort boasts the biggest vertical drop in North America. Cliff warnings abound, and visibility is consistently low, but the mountain’s massive terrain, remote feel, and low skier density makes it a haven for riders seeking solitude and continuous lines of untouched powder. Revelation, the resort’s sole gondola, takes riders up from the mountain’s base, and each run is more or less serviced by only a single lift. The mountain’s Stoke Chair grants access to its North and South Bowls via short hikes. Along with steep, powdery terrain, the chair accesses a wealth of North-facing, gladed runs that offer riders un-groomed, neck-breakingly steep tree skiing. Kill the Banker, the mountain’s defining run, is a tree-lined, mile-long chunk of terrain that pro skier Chris Rubens has called one of the longest sustained drops he’s ever encountered.
On top of all that, with the mountain’s chairs located exclusively on the North side of the hill, the South side presents a series of long, unbroken runs without the respite of mid-mountain chairs. It’s a dastardly cardio workout, riddled with moguls and other obstacles. Once you’re up, it’s a long way down.
