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Exploring Spain's black runs is a real challenge for intermediate and advanced skiers looking to push their limits on technical and demanding descents.
In this article, you'll discover the country's four most outstanding black runs, each with unique features that promise to test your skills and give you an intense and memorable mountain experience without having to travel abroad. Let's get started!
What is a black slope?
Black runs are the most difficult slopes, posing a great challenge for advanced and professional skiers due to their steep slope, natural obstacles (rocks, trees...) and variable conditions, such as icy terrain, packed snow or deep powder. The combination of these factors creates an environment that demands not only a high level of skiing, but also an adequate physical preparation.
As such, black ski runs are the ideal terrain for experienced skiers looking to improve their technical skills or push themselves to the limit on descents that require exceptional precision and control. Skiing on such a slope requires great concentration, refined technique and the ability to make fast turns.
Top 4 Black Tracks
Luis Arias ski run in Baqueira
The Luis Arias black slope in Baqueira is a challenge for any skier, regardless of their level or years of experience, due to the demanding terrain and type of snow.
This black ski slope was named in honour of the legendary skier Luis Arias, and stands out for combining a steep slope with a spectacular Pyrenean environment, which guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Despite not having a very long route, the characteristics of the slope and its steepness are a challenge, even for the most advanced skiers. From Carbosports we advise you to be well prepared and to have the right equipment, light and capable of responding with great agility.
If you think your skis are not up to the task, we recommend the new Movement Session 85, with paulownia core, ideal for agile, precise and efficient skiing, even on the most complex slopes.
Pista Infierno de Formigal
This is one of the best-known black ski slopes in the country. Located in the Aramón Formigal resort, it truly lives up to its name as it is a demanding slope, very long and full of curves that will put your turning ability to the test.
The Infierno piste allows a very long descent, which will test your endurance. In addition, its terrain has steep slopes and narrow sections, making the descent difficult for even the most experienced skiers and testing your ability to control your skis.
Due to its difficulty, from Carbosports we recommend you to try this black run only if you have a lot of skiing experience and your ski equipment is in perfect condition.
If you need new skis, bindings or any other accessory, visit our ski section, where you can find everything you need to prepare for this descent.
Canal Amplia de Cerler
The Canal Amplia is, together with the Pista Infierno, one of the best known black pistes in the Aragonese Pyrenees. It is a very difficult slope famous for its width and the impressive views it offers.
It is a very difficult slope due to the conditions of its terrain, which is very varied, as well as its steepness and width, which allows you to reach high speeds, requiring absolute control over your skis at all times, and a great ability to make turns and manoeuvres at high speed.
Due to the complexity of the slope, we recommend you to have blizzard goggles that allow you the best vision at all times, from Carbosports we recommend you the Red Bull Rush ski googles, if protection factor category 3 allows you the best vision, without glare, even on the sunniest days.
La Visera ski run in Sierra Nevada
La Visera de Sierra Nevada is known for being one of the most challenging black runs in the south of the peninsula. It gets its name due to the rock formation located near it, which is similar to the visor of a cap.
La Visera is a black ski slope that stands out for its variable snow conditions, which may even include sections with ice slabs. It is a medium-length and steep slope, which ensures a fast and intense descent. It has narrow and steep sections, which will test your ability to turn, even if you are a skier with a long track record.
Due to the different types of snow, we at Carbosports recommend All-Mountain skis, due to their great ability to adapt to all types of terrain, even those with ice patches. We recommend JetsPlay's All-Mountain skis, an option that perfectly combines performance and competitive price.
Extra! - El Tubo de la Zapatilla in Candanchú, top off-piste route
For all those who have already enjoyed these slopes, we bring you a fourth option that we are sure you will love. The Tubo de la Zapatilla in Candanchú, the best off-piste experience you can enjoy in Spain.
Located in the Aragonese Pyrenees, this is a technical descent in an unbeatable natural setting. The terrain of the Tubo de la zapatilla stands out for its difficulty, being very steep and narrowing as you descend.
That is why we only recommend this slope to skiers with great technique and experience, both on and off piste. Although its route is not excessively long, it is a very intense descent that requires a great technical skill and a great control and turning ability, only available to the best skiers.
From Carbosports we recommend that, if you want to enjoy the Slipper Tube, you should put safety above all else. Make sure your equipment is in perfect condition and prioritise safety throughout the descent. If you don't know the area, it's a good idea to get help from local guides.
Although it is not a traditional black run, El Tubo de la Zapatilla in Candanchú deserves a special mention. This off-piste itinerary is for adventurers looking to get off the beaten track and explore virgin and demanding terrain. The experience here is unique, combining the challenge of a black ski slope with the serenity and isolation of ski mountaineering.