The Italian province of South Tyrol is home to the imposing Dolomites, but it also boasts some very steep slopes. Among the mighty peaks, you can find several gems that will instantly make the hearts of advanced skiers and snowboarders beat faster. These black slopes guarantee plenty of adrenaline as well as stunning views. In this article, we're offering an overview of the steepest slopes in South Tyrol.
One of the steepest slopes in South Tyrol (and Italy) is located within the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski area near Sexten. Holzrieze I&II is identified by piste numbers 3a and 3b and is unsuitable for less advanced skiers. The slope has a maximum gradient of 77% and is 1,457 metres long.
Val Gardena is home to several legendary runs under the banner 'The Legendary 8'. One of these runs is the 1900-metre-long Falk - a sunny slope with an incredibly steep section. With a maximum gradient of 74%, Falk is among the three steepest slopes in the Dolomites.
Kronplatz's 'big five' belong on every advanced skier's list. Sylvester, Herrnegg, Pre da Peres, Erta and Piculin all offer fun challenges, but the latter also deserves a place in this list of South Tyrol's steepest slopes. With a maximum gradient of 72% and a length of 2 km, this is no easy descent. The first section seems easy - but don't worry. It soon gets quite challenging!
Another World Cup slope on this list! The Gran Risa in Alta Badia is a challenging slope even for the best skiers in the world. This black run is technically challenging, has a length of 1,255 metres and a maximum gradient of 69%.
The Trametsch in Plose is not only one of the steepest runs in South Tyrol but also the longest downhill in the province. If you start at an altitude of 2,446 metres and add the first blue section, the slope has a total length of 9 km with an altitude difference of 1,400 metres. Trametsch has a maximum gradient of 62%, so it's pretty tough.
Also part of Val Gardena's legendary 8 is the Saslong, where competitive skiers compete annually at the World Cup. The descent is 3,750 metres long and has a maximum gradient of 56.9%. Less experienced skiers can opt for the red variant that runs almost parallel to the Saslong.
The Leo Gurschler in Schnalstal also deserves a place on this list of the steepest slopes in South Tyrol. The 550-metre-long black run has a maximum gradient of almost 60% and bridges an altitude of 200 metres in a short time. No wonder competition skiers love to come here to train. The slope is named after the man who founded South Tyrol's only glacier ski resort in Val Senales some 40 years ago.
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
