The world's scariest ski runs
Corbet's Couloir, Jackson Hole
Corbet's has a worldwide reputation as the run that every hard-core skier must do once in a lifetime. It is easily reached from the top of the new cable-car up Rendezvous Mountain. More people come to look than leap and it usually takes several visits before you pluck up courage.
The run does not exceed an angle of 40 degrees and is a comfortable 15m (49ft) wide – a piece of cake, relatively speaking. The terror lies entirely in the start.
The "easy" way is a vertical jump from the left-hand side. If lots of snow has accumulated, this turns into a controlled slide and you are left wondering what the fuss is about. More commonly, you must leap three to four metres. Once your skis make contact with the snow you need to throw your weight forward immediately to regain control and turn sharply to avoid a large rock.
The alternative entry is a jump of at least six metres (20ft). It is scarier, but you avoid the rocks.
By Peter Hardy
