Extreme Skiers Take to the Volcanoes

Yes that's volcanoes not slopes! If you are looking for a new ski challenge then check this out...

If you’ve never heard of volcano skiing, you’re not alone. Even lifelong skiers are sometimes shocked to discover that there’s some amazing skiing to be found on volcanoes. Sure, there’s the lava thing, but with a fresh layer of pure white snow, a volcano makes for some of the world’s best skiing.

Volcano skiing is not for the timid or ill prepared. In most cases, you won’t find any ski lifts, and it might take a bit of a trek to get where you’re going.

Hawaii’s Mauna Kea

Hawaii’s Mauna Kea, for instance, is without lifts or grooming. In fact, you can’t get to the summit without four-wheel drive. It’s well worth the journey, though, to get to this volcano’s 100 square miles of skiable topography. Hawaii is also home to the active volcano, Mauna Loa.

Villarrica

In Chili, Villarrica is a classic volcano. In about two hours, you can go from the mountain station to the summit, where you can actually see molten lava inside the crater. Perfect powder lines the outside, and the climate is such that it’s not difficult to enjoy great volcano skiing in July and August.

Mt. Ruapehu

New Zealand’s live volcano, Mt. Ruapehu, boasts a large lift-accessible zone and the longest vertical drop in the area. You can view the crater from the top and enjoy gentle slopes lined with breathtaking natural rainforests.

Cascade Volcanoes

In the U.S. Pacific Northwest, the Cascade Volcanoes loom over the horizon, offering views of several majestic volcanoes at once. Here you’ll enjoy some of the longest ski descents in the world.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. In exotic locations from Russia to Japan to Italy, extreme skiers are taking to the volcanoes to get their next fix.

Are you a skier who is ready to take things to the next level? You can have the adventure of a lifetime, if you don’t mind skiing down a volcano. It takes a thrill-seeker mentality, good physical conditioning, and lots of planning to make this dream come alive, but it’s well worth the effort. Throw in some snowboarding or a parachute, and you’re in for yet another round of adventure.