SKIING STATS:
Run Name: Virgin Chute #1 (#51)
Location: Sunshine Village (Mount Standish)
Rating: ♦ (Single Black Diamond)
My Personal Rating Opinion: ♦♦ (Double Black Diamond)
Lift Taken: Standish Express
Maximum Pitch: 32 degrees
Run Length: 0.1 mi.
Vertical Drop: 253 feet.

DESCRIPTION:
The Virgin Chutes are two very narrow and challenging chutes located in the Standish area of Banff Sunshine. They're usually skied to prepare those looking to take on Delirium Dive and those looking for a tight, gladed chute. The progression that riders doing Delirium usually do is: Virgin Chutes - Southside Chutes - Delirium Dive. Although I have to disagree with this progression as in my opinion, The Virgin Chutes are significantly more challenging than the Southside Chutes and some other double black diamonds at the resort. These are some of the more technical chutes I've attempted in my skiing career so far. Virgin #2 is much more difficult than Virgin #1. I did get the footage for both, however the footage for my attempt on Virgin #2 got corrupted so I'll have to return to Sunshine Village to get that recording. What I love so much about the Standish area are its short runs that pack in so much variety in one lap. A lap through the Virgin Chutes starts in the alpine with a wide open alpine run called Standish that filters into some cliffs. Then you plunge into the trees and this is where the Virgin Chutes start. Normally to get this variety, you'll have to ski a run that's roughly a mile and 1000 vertical feet, but this area is roughly a quarter mile long and 400 vertical feet! When you reach the treeline, there are a series of four gates. The furthest left gate will take you to Standish Face, the second will take you to Virgin #1, the third will take you to Virgin #2, and the fourth will take you to Donkey's Tail (an easier alternative to the Virgin Chutes). Although it's not as challenging as Virgin #2, Virgin #1 is still really difficult and is quite tight in areas. It's also a lot steeper than it looks and even though it's measured at a 32° pitch, I feel it's significantly steeper than this. It feels steeper than the Southside Chutes which average around 36°. These chutes also in my opinion definitely deserve a double black diamond rating as they're more technical than a majority that I've done at a good number of them at the resort. I had a lot of fun skiing Virgin #1 and found it to be a solidly difficult, yet enjoyable challenge. Virgin Chutes #1 and #2, along with the whole Standish area, were definitely some of my favorites to ski in all of Sunshine Village!

PERSONAL ENJOYMENT RATING: 7/10

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Standish (Blue Section)
0:53 - Standish (Black Section)
1:02 - Virgin Chute #1

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