Lancashire-born skier Dave ‘The Rocket’ Ryding made history when he became the first Briton to ever win World Cup Alpine skiing gold on January 22 in Kitzbühel. Five years earlier he’d clinched second in the slalom event in the Austria resort, which, until now, had stood as both his and Great Britain’s best ever result.
It’s an achievement that has sent the snow-sports world into overdrive – a matter of weeks before the start of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. It’s arguably the best confidence boost the 35-year-old could have wished for.
In clinching the gold he’s also rocketed British skiers towards their own triumphs on the slopes – ski holiday bookings have been soaring in recent weeks and the nation is more eager than ever before to get back on to the pistes.
Are you brave enough to channel your inner Olympian on your ski holiday though? We take a look at the most treacherous ski runs on earth and how, if you’re up for the challenge, you can conquer them.
The Streif, Kitzbühel
The winner of the Hahnenkamm World Cup downhill ski race, which takes place on The Streif in Kitzbühel, garners a huge amount of respect from spectators and fellow competitors alike. It’s infamous for being the most challenging run on the World Cup circuit, and has played host to more than its fair share of devastating crashes over the years. The Streif is open to the public for the rest of the season – anyone can tackle this beast of a run – and sits next to the slalom course where Ryding rose to greatness.
Face de Bellevarde, Val d’Isère
This was built as the men’s downhill course for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Val d’Isère. No single section is particularly steep – much of the difficulty lies in its length, and in icy conditions you need razor-sharp edges and quick wits. The run winds gently around the shoulder and initially looks positively easy. Don’t be fooled. Once on the face itself you will have your work cut out. In sparse snow conditions, rocks break through the piste and the volume of other skiers on the run – inept and otherwise – can be an added hazard.
