1) Harakiri – Mayrhofen, Austria

Harakiri is one of the most notorious runs in the world. The word “hara-kiri” comes from the Japanese ritual samurai suicide by disembowelment using a sword. So pretty much as gnarly as a name can get, right? It’s a 78 per cent grade, it’s 1500m long and it’s the steepest piste in Austria. One for the ‘To Do’ list then…

3) Jaws of Death – Mt. Snow, Vermont, USA

This is the Hollywood movie of piste names. You can imagine it being said with one of those impossibly deep, dramatic movie trailer voices: “The Jaws of Death, destroying knees since 1958”. It looks distinctly underwhelming, don’cha think?

4) Body Bag – Crested Butte, Colorado, USA

Body Bag is definitely up there with the more gruesome titled pistes – and it really is as sketchy as it sounds. This rock-strewn, tree-lined vertical nightmare has seen punters and North Face Masters competitors alike tackling its disgustingly difficult face. Would you give it a go?

6) Mother-in-Law – Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada

Who ever said Canadians don’t have a sense of humour? We’re not sure whether they’re recommending you send your mother-in-law down or referring to the nightmarish ride, but either way this name is one of our favourite. Apparently it’s referred to by the local ski patrol as Pam’s… I’d love to know the story behind that one.

7) Balls to the Wall – Mammoth Mountain, California, USA

How could we go without including Mammoth Mountain’s Balls to the Wall? A title crafted with pure literary genius. Some might call it poetry. If that doesn’t convey the sheer verticality of the face, I don’t know what will.

8) Widow Maker – Falls Creek, Australia

Falls Creek, Australia may not have the altitude that some of the other resorts listed here do, but that doesn’t mean it can’t indulge in death-defying names like Widow Maker here. It might not look like much, but we’ve heard it there are some pretty hefty rocks to dodge. However, do correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any widows have been made in the riding of this run.

10) Disease Ridge – Whistler-Blackcomb Backcountry, B.C. Canada

There’s some really sick lines on Disease Ridge (pun very much intended). When it comes to the Whistler-Blackcomb backcountry, it probably very much lives up to its name. We can’t quite believe it but apparently the chutes that come down it are called Gonorrhoea and AIDS….

And a few honourable mentions…

There were too many to choose from, so we’ve rounded up a few honourable mentions to give you one final laugh:

Delirium Dive – Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada

Satan – Les Deux Alpes, France

Alligator Pit – Mammoth Mountain, California, USA

Organ Grinder – Sugarbush, Vermont, USA

Deathstar – Mt. Baker, Washington, USA

D.O.A.  – Whistler-Blackcomb Backcountry, B.C. Canada

Mug’s Alley – Glencoe, Scotland

Have you come across any more to add to our list? Leave them in the comments below.