Cervinia
Italy seems to be about the only country in the world that's still opening new black runs.
Last season steep new trails opened in the Dolomites, this winter two of the country's most famous resorts, Madonna di Campiglio and Cervinia, are adding new blacks.
At Cervinia the two runs are located opposite the south face of the Matterhorn and have, firstly the unnerving name of 'Vertical Ski Passage' and secondly, the initially less terrifying title, 'Piste Number 24.'
Of course those who know Cervinia will know that Piste Number 24 is actually a fairly scary steep run and actually this new run is a new improved version of it, that's still black but longer, wider, following a slightly different route and a little less steep – but still black.
Over at Madonna di Campiglio the new black (and a red) run are part of sa two year project, planned for decades, to connect the rest to neighbouring Pinzolo. Due to be completed next year (with another black run, reportedly) it will create an area of some 150km of excellent piste linking the two resorts as well as already connected Marilleve and Folgarida.