100 best ski runs in the world

By Tamara Hinson, for CNN
Updated 1:23 PM EST, Fri January 17, 2014
The 701-meter drop is fun, but it's the views of Glacier National Park and Flathead Valley that make Inspiration special.
20. Inspiration (Montana) —
The 701-meter drop is fun, but it's the views of Glacier National Park and Flathead Valley that make Inspiration special.
Courtesy explore whitefish
There's only one ski resort in South Africa and that ski resort only has two (ungraded) runs. But the views from Tiffindell, in the shadow of Mount Ben McDuie, are breathtaking.
19. Tiffindell (South Africa) —
There's only one ski resort in South Africa and that ski resort only has two (ungraded) runs. But the views from Tiffindell, in the shadow of Mount Ben McDuie, are breathtaking.
"It's a steep and impressive couloir that connects the glacier to the rest of the ski area," says Dynastar World Cup Ski Racer Dominique Gisin. "There are big bumps all over the place."
18. Rotegg (Switzerland) —
"It's a steep and impressive couloir that connects the glacier to the rest of the ski area," says Dynastar World Cup Ski Racer Dominique Gisin. "There are big bumps all over the place."
Courtesy Titlis
Coronet Peak's Exchange Drop, famed for its roller coaster terrain, is used as a training ground by New Zealand's national ski team.
17. Exchange Drop (New Zealand) —
Coronet Peak's Exchange Drop, famed for its roller coaster terrain, is used as a training ground by New Zealand's national ski team.
Courtesy NZSKI.COM
The Poma slopes -- so-called because of the type of lifts that lead to them -- are great for beginners and include some beautiful runs through the forests that encircle the resort.
16. Poma slopes (India) —
The Poma slopes -- so-called because of the type of lifts that lead to them -- are great for beginners and include some beautiful runs through the forests that encircle the resort.
TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images
Only skiers and snowboarders with avalanche transponders are allowed to take on this Sunshine Village gully. The avalanche-prone steep makes other runs look like bunny hills.
15. Delirium Dive (Alberta) —
Only skiers and snowboarders with avalanche transponders are allowed to take on this Sunshine Village gully. The avalanche-prone steep makes other runs look like bunny hills.
Courtesy Banff
Among several publications, USA Today calls this the world's scariest slope. "Corbet's Couloir is one of the best measuring sticks for expert skiers in the world," says pro skier Griffin Post.
14. Corbet's Couloir (Wyoming) —
Among several publications, USA Today calls this the world's scariest slope. "Corbet's Couloir is one of the best measuring sticks for expert skiers in the world," says pro skier Griffin Post.
Courtesy Jackson Hole resort
Accessed by the Aiguille du Midi cable car, Vallée Blanche is one of the world's most famous off-piste descents.
13. Vallée Blanche (France) —
Accessed by the Aiguille du Midi cable car, Vallée Blanche is one of the world's most famous off-piste descents.
Courtesy Eric Berger
Davos was the birthplace of alpine skiing with the world's first ski lift operating since 1931 at Parsenn. From high above the treeline to valley floor, this historic run is still a fine scenic route.
12. Piste No. 6 (Switzerland) —
Davos was the birthplace of alpine skiing with the world's first ski lift operating since 1931 at Parsenn. From high above the treeline to valley floor, this historic run is still a fine scenic route.
Courtesy Davos Klosters
Blackcomb Glacier is skiable during Canada's warm summer months and covers the largest variety of terrains in North America, making it a favorite of pro skier Mike Douglas, the "Godfather of free-skiing."
11. Blackcomb Glacier (British Columbia) —
Blackcomb Glacier is skiable during Canada's warm summer months and covers the largest variety of terrains in North America, making it a favorite of pro skier Mike Douglas, the "Godfather of free-skiing."
Courtesy Mike Crane/Tourism Whistler
"The Dolomites are the most beautiful mountains in the world and the run goes straight down past the famous Tofana Shute," says Pamela Thorburn, a member of Great Britain's ski-X team.
10. Olympia (Italy) —
"The Dolomites are the most beautiful mountains in the world and the run goes straight down past the famous Tofana Shute," says Pamela Thorburn, a member of Great Britain's ski-X team.
Courtesy Dino Colli
"The varied locations and terrains are why people refer to the area as Squallywood," says Powder Magazine editor John Stifter. "The best of the best show up here to make their mark."
9. The Palisades (California) —
"The varied locations and terrains are why people refer to the area as Squallywood," says Powder Magazine editor John Stifter. "The best of the best show up here to make their mark."
Courtesy Matt Palmer
Famous for its black ratings and also a popular heli-skiing destination, this resort has one of the world's longest ski runs, an unnamed descent made up of three intermediate-level runs.
8. Las Lenas (Argentina) —
Famous for its black ratings and also a popular heli-skiing destination, this resort has one of the world's longest ski runs, an unnamed descent made up of three intermediate-level runs.
Courtesy Las Lenas
Pros flock to Skyward for the steep open run and unbeatable views over the Adirondacks' snow-dusted forests.
7. Skyward (New York) —
Pros flock to Skyward for the steep open run and unbeatable views over the Adirondacks' snow-dusted forests.
Courtesy Evan Spinosa/orda whiteface lake pacid
Adrenalina can be found at Chile's gorgeous Valle Nevado resort. Located on the Cima Ancla peak, the run is a great option for experts looking for an adrenaline boost -- as the name suggests.
6. Adrenalina (Chile) —
Adrenalina can be found at Chile's gorgeous Valle Nevado resort. Located on the Cima Ancla peak, the run is a great option for experts looking for an adrenaline boost -- as the name suggests.
Courtesy Valle Nevado
It might not look exciting, but once your skis are sliding on this often empty piste on a sunny day, nothing beats this seemingly endless run, says Fall Line magazine editor Nicola Iseard.
5. Grand Solleit (France) —
It might not look exciting, but once your skis are sliding on this often empty piste on a sunny day, nothing beats this seemingly endless run, says Fall Line magazine editor Nicola Iseard.
Courtesy ARoyer Otstefoy