Quick, Quick, Slow

The historic 'Forcella Staunies' piste

Although 'slow skiing zones' have become favoured features at leading resorts across Italy this winter, expert downhillers will welcome the re-opening of one of the country's toughest pistes, the run nicknamed 'Black Vertigo' high above Cortina.
The historic 'Forcella Staunies' piste not only offers the biggest skiable vertical in the entire Dolomiti Superski area but with a dizzying initial pitch of 64% it's also the steepest.
The views are good too, the run descends between beautiful snow-capped peaks providing breathtaking views of the entire Ampezzo valley as you descend.
The piste was created in 1956 as a 'back up' for the Olympic downhill in case conditions down at resort level weren't great in the era when snowmaking was only just starting to take hold in New England, but wasn't widely used in the Alps.
The run descends from 3,000m through a steep, narrow gorge between two rocky cliffs, with a panorama where the sky and the earth appear to fuse together and spectacular views to the very centre of Cortina.
The piste is accessed by first taking the Rio Gere chairlift to Son Forca, from where you reach the Valgrande-Staunies chairlift. The slope plunges headlong down the slopes of Mount Cristallo, following a three kilometre (nearly two mile) long route down to Padeon at 1,982m altitude.

Sounds terrifying.

But I am curious about how it would compare with other "extreme" blacks around the alps? For example, the Tunnel run in Alpe D'huez or the black off the top of Westendorf - I think it might be no. 8 but not sure. The top section may not be too long but it is incredibly steep - you definitely do not want to fall - if you do, you slide all the way to the bottom, assuming you don't go over the edge!!!

Any other thoughts on the most difficult pistes?

Hari Kari in Mayrhofen. I have never attempted it, but was planning to have a go at it next week. That now depends very much on conditions, as at present the area is suffering with little snow and there is a lot of ice about, making this a little bit more difficult than usual!
I'll report back.
I think I am right in saying its Austria's steepest piste?

They definitely did say Hari Kari was Austria's steepest piste but I've got a vague feeling they downgraded the claim so not sure if someone else has put a bid in! I suppose with all these a lot of it depends on conditions on the day, I read a review from someone doing Hari Kari saying it was immaculately groomed and thus dead easy despite the pitch when they visited...

Kin ell!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnvRohoTUSc&feature=related

andyhull wrote:Kin ell!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnvRohoTUSc&feature=related

You gotta be daft, but I think needs a bit more practice with the head cam

At 32.6° the Forcella Staunies isn't all that steep. The Tunnel in Alpe D'Huez is about 35° and the Harikari is reported to be 38° a flight of stairs is about 37°. As for difficulty it depends on the snow, but its better not to fall as you might have a long walk to retrieve your tackle!


The Couloir in Andy's video is the Canale Staunies Nord which is off the back of the col on which the top lift station is built. The steepest bit is 50°/119.2%