World's Scariest Ski Slopes

La Grave, France

The Ride: Straddling the massive La Meije glacier, which tops out at more than 13,000 feet, La Grave is the ultimate out-of-bounds destination for extreme skiers. There are no trails here—just 7,000 vertical feet of unmarked, unpatrolled terrain, punctuated by sheer vertical cliffs, crevasses hundreds of feet deep, and avalanche-ready bowls. To even hope to get down safely, you’ll need to hire a mountain guide, who’ll make sure you’re equipped with rappelling gear, ice crampons, and a radio beacon. A living will’s not a bad idea, either.

Insider Trivia: Though La Grave has indeed claimed lives, its name doesn’t actually translate to “The Grave.” Rather, it means something closer to “The Serious Stuff” or “The Real Deal.”