New Steepest Piste in Europe Opens in Austria

What is claimed to be the steepest groomed ski run ever opened in the Alps with a pitch of nearly 88% (more than 41 degrees) has been unveiled this weekend at Austria’s Kaunertal Glacier.

The Black Ibex piste pitches at up to 87.85%, which the resort’s operators are keen to stress is steeper than the steepest part of the famous Streif slope used in the annual Hahnenkamm downhill races in Kitzbuhel (pictured below).

The Harakiri piste above Mayrhofen has built a reputation as Austria’s steepest slope for more than a decade.  It reaches a pitch of 78% over its 375 metres of vertical.

However the Lange Zug “extreme ski route” above Lech in the Arlberg, was already steeper with a  maximum gradient of 80% at its steepest part.

Europe’s other steepest slopes include The Grand Couloir above Courchevel with an 80% gradient and The Tunnel run at Alpe d’Huez which like Harikari reports a 78% pitch.