My 3 Hardest Runs at Vail [4K]

DISCLAIMER: This video really only goes over MARKED inbounds runs. I'm not really a Vail local so I can't really talk about some of the secret locally named lines that could be harder than some of the lines featured in this video. This ranking is fully my opinion and is fully based off my 8ish days skiing at Vail throughout the last few seasons.
DESCRIPTION:
Vail Mountain is not really known as an "expert's paradise". The mountain really stands out with its really unique intermediate and advanced terrain but offers very few trails for experts and even fewer true extremes. However, Vail definitely offers a handful of challenging runs for which it never gets any credit for. Although these runs aren't the most unique out there and suffer from general poor conditions, they're all quite challenging and will give experts a good run for their money. The Frontside generally hosts the most challenging terrain with Vail's only marked double black diamond trails being located here. Runs from this list include those from the former "Chutes" area of the mountain as well as infamous extremes found elsewhere on the Frontside. For my thoughts on each run individually, go check out the original videos where I go more in depth into my thoughts on each of these awesome trails (original video links below).
HONORABLE MENTION #1: Lover's Leap would have made this list as #4 if I had more up to date footage of it. It has a really steep cornice entry and some large cliffs that you can hit. Steep and Deep would have probably ranked just above it FYI. Lover's Leap video link here: • Lover’s Leap - Vail
HONORABLE MENTION #2: The Pumphouse is a really cool looking expert glade trail on Vail's frontside. It's the last run of the former "Chutes" area that still remains open to the public. It would have definitely made this list if I had footage of it.
HONORABLE MENTION #3: Chair 4 Cliffs are some really gnarly cliffs located under Chair 4 (Mountaintop Express). While unmarked on the trail map, they're marked with a double black diamond rating on the mountain itself.
HONORABLE MENTION #4: Tea Cup Glades was once a backcountry area but was recently added to the mountain. This Back Bowl run has some of the largest in bounds cliffs at the resort and isn't open unless conditions are prime.
HONORABLE: MENTION #5: The Narrows would have definitely made this list if the run was still open to the public. Vail decided to close this infamous expert glade recently due to reasons listed in the article below. It's a shame I never got to ski it because I totally would have this year. As for it ranking on this list, I'm guessing it would have placed second place definitely above Mudslide (since The Narrows is essentially Mudslide with tight glades) and maybe "narrowly" edging out Frontside Chutes. It's universally agreed that Prima Cornice is the hardest trail at Vail so it'd probably rank just below that. (Article Link Here: www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-m...)
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:04 - 3.
1:56 - 2.
3:26 - 1.
LINK TO ORIGINAL VIDEOS:
• Mudslide - Vail [4K]
• Frontside Chutes - Vai...
• Prima Cornice - Vail [4K]
NEXT VIDEO: Breckenridge's Extreme Terrain (2022-23)
EXTERNAL LINKS:
Skiing Bucket List: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Double Black Diamond Runs I've Done: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[@arjunski]

Decided to change the video title from "Vail's 3 Hardest Runs" to "My 3 Hardest Runs at Vail". I realized that the previous title was too subjective and that this title is a lot more fair for what the video covers.

[@RyanandtheRagdolls]

Nice list, never tried them but hoping to try front chutes next season if the conditions are good enough😅

[@arjunski]

Thanks man! Frontside Chutes is a weird one since it's located so low down on the mountain. Wait for good conditions because it's only fun if the chute is "straightlineable" and for that you need some freshies!

[@wetsockoutdoors8538]

Looked up “hardest runs at vail” and it pulled this video! Nice SEO! Writing this from Blue sky basin

[@arjunski]

Thanks for checking this one out man! Can't wait to see some of your footage from this season!

[@wetsockoutdoors8538]

@@arjunski yeah it’s awesome to see you’re still out here making videos

[@harrybabby5267]

Where do you find the max pitch for all of the vail runs

[@arjunski]

Good question! I use FATMAP.com which is an amazing 3D map that allows you to see runs in high detail and get various statistics such as vertical, length, and max pitch. Not sponsored, just love the product and highly recommend it!

[@wetsockoutdoors8538]

What is with everyone trying to prove they’re the best skier here 😂

[@arjunski]

Couldn't tell ya why 😂

[@VillagerguyfromGlagglepe-tp6cl]

Hi. 13-year old skier here. I friggin love watching KZbin videos of Vail. Vail is the only ski resort I’ve skied btw. I haven’t tried any black runs yet and I’m really looking forward to skiing down one. Which would you say is the best black run for beginners like me.

[@VillagerguyfromGlagglepe-tp6cl]

I have skied blues btw

[@arjunski]

Hey man, that's super awesome to hear! Vail's one of my favorite mountains and I think you'll have a great time here! If you can ski blues and want to ski some easier blacks some slightly easier blacks at Vail Mountain include Avanti, Northstar, and Lindsey's. Of all of these, Avanti is the one I'd personally recommend trying first. Avanti is a blue run for most of the time but has one short but steep black section. Worst case, if you get to the top of the black section and feel that you're not ready, there's a cat-track called "Cold Feet" that allows you to bypass the black section. The black rated section is definitely steep but totally doable if you take your time. The other pro with Avanti is that it's pretty much groomed every single day (in general I wouldn't recommend doing an ungroomed black as your first one). Northstar is also pretty easy but isn't always groomed so make sure to check the grooming report. For context, Northstar is about as steep as the blue, Northwoods, right next to it. So if you can ski Northwoods, you shouldn't have too much of a problem skiing Northstar given that it's groomed. Finally, Lindsey's is very easy and pitch-wise easier than Avanti. The downsides are that 1.) it's at the bottom of the mountain so snow conditions are variable 2.) Lots of inexperienced riders will scrape the snow off the run making it even more icy and 3.) It's not always groomed. Good luck!

[@VillagerguyfromGlagglepe-tp6cl]

Lindsey’s and avanti’s black section look a bit too intimidating for me, but I’ll try a groomed northstar!

[@VillagerguyfromGlagglepe-tp6cl]

Wait nvm I might try Avanti’s black section. I am definitely not gonna do Lindsey’s tho

[@arjunski]

Go for it! Though, don't be scared of Lindsey's. It's max pitch is only 24 degrees which is comparable to Northstar's 24 degree max pitch and Avanti's 26 degree max pitch

[@RyanandtheRagdolls]

Can you do bergs bowl?

[@arjunski]

Are you talking about Bergman Bowl at Keystone? If so, I unfortunately have no plans to return to Keystone anytime soon. Maybe sometime in the future!

[@RyanandtheRagdolls]

At park city

[@arjunski]

Oh gotcha, I don't have any plans to go to Park City in the near future but eventually at some point! Looks like a really chill run, I can definitely look into doing it if/when I'm there!

[@RyanandtheRagdolls]

Thanks!

[@RyanandtheRagdolls]

Though, there’s no video of it, the one that’s out there is of a blue run called silver queen.

[@user-zh3fb8dw4d]

I go to vail every year and I’ve skied every black diamond at vail and ngl which one is the hardest is just conditions and I still haven’t got the golden gondola

[@arjunski]

Assuming you meant "the hardest run at Vail depends on conditions". Agreed! This is was just a list that showcases the 3 marked runs that are widely acknowledged as some of the most challenging runs on the mountain

[@harrybabby5267]

I just got golden gondala today

[@skifast_takechances]

damn really wishing for snow like this in the next few months

[@arjunski]

FRRRRRRR! These videos are the only way I’m coping with not being able to ski LMAO. Can’t wait for my season to start!

[@fredericksherman245]

I deleted my comment because I have better things to do than argue with people life is too short.

[@arjunski]

100% agree with that man! Life really is too short for petty arguments for how hard a ski run is. At the end of the day, we're all out there having a good time so let's celebrate that instead of debating trivial things that don't matter!

[@mfleckski]

These are no where near the hardest runs in Vail... You can start with Steep and Deep being more challenging than any of these, but many of the chutes in the back bowls that are named locally are far more challenging than the vail named runs and in bounds, they just are grouped into larger areas classified as single black based on other lines of descent.

[@arjunski]

I’ve done Steep and Deep (didn’t get a video of it sadly) and I didn’t find it nearly as difficult as any of these. I’ll take your word for the unmarked chutes in the Back Bowls as I’m no Vail local. I’ll update the description to say that at least these are the probably some of hardest “marked” inbounds runs.

[@arjunski]

It could be just me but I definitely found Prima Cornice leagues above Steep and Deep in difficulty.

[@nadakidd]

PC is good. Steep n Deep is simply different but I agree that's it's similar difficulty. Chair 4 cliffs and the rock line at dragons teeth are harder. Also there are some drops out in the Mongolias that are legit. Depending on where you drop in, North Rim steps it up. Also try Hairbag Alley at trail speed without stopping. Next let's do East Vail and the cliff line west of blue sky.

[@arjunski]

That's actually fair. Those Dragons Teeth cliffs are probably a bit harder than PC or the other runs. I didn't include them because they're technically unmarked and this video is supposed to go over only explicitly marked runs on the trail map. East Vail and the western BSB cliff line are insane, no plans to do those any time soon! :)

[@nadakidd]

Yeah, the good stuff is almost never marked (thankfully)@@arjunski