Double black Big Sky, MT
Alder Gulch drops 783 vertical feet over 1,387 feet of skiing, with a steepest pitch of 40° about 540 feet below the top. That's steeper than 71% of the 2,251 double black runs we've measured in North America, and the 42nd steepest of 290 named runs at Big Sky. It faces north.
Facing north at an average 35°, Alder Gulch gets about 30% of the winter sun that flat ground at Big Sky does, December through March. That's shadier than 100% of the runs we've measured, and the 4th shadiest named run at Big Sky. Its top sits at 9,730 feet.
Shaded snow stays colder and drier, so it holds powder longer after a storm and is slower to crust over or turn to slush in spring. Shading from ridges and trees isn't counted yet.
under 25°25–35°35–45°45°+ Hover to follow the line on the map.
Measured by ZRankings from 1-meter USGS lidar. Steepest pitch is the steepest stretch of about 50 vertical feet along the skiable line. Run lines come from OpenStreetMap and can sit a little off the skied path.