“The Snake Couloir”

The line in all its glory

The Snake Couloir is probably one of the most asthetic lines you can possibly ski. It literally snakes down the mountain from 45 to 55 degrees steep with the crux being 8 feet wide and 55 degrees steep.

If you are looking for a Colorado classic, this is up there for me.

Rough Stats:

• 14.5 miles

• 6,000 feet of vert

• GPX File - Link

Trip Report:

Date: April 13th, 2024

Culprits: Chandler, James, Michael

Me (Chandler) and Michael met James on the road to the blue lakes trailhead around 3am and drove as far up the road as we could… We got the Jeep and Tacoma stuck 2x and spent an hour digging them out. We launched around 2.5 miles short of the actual blue lakes trailhead at 5am.

Beta: skin for a long time until you make it to the base of the snake couloir and start on the boot pack program

Once you get to the top of the line, you have the choice to just ski back down, or to climb up this mixed scramble (M2-3) for 100 feet to the summit.

Every video I watched made this climb look simple, so we only brought 2, 30m ropes for a rappel, crampons, and 1 hybrid axe (Petzl Sumtec).

However, our conditions 100% required 2 axes, likely a light rack (.4-#2) because a fall would send you flying over a 1,000 foot cliff… (in spring conditions, no protection is likely required)

Hindsight 20/20, we should have just skied the line because we had fresh untouched blower powder, but we opted to summit over fresh turns.

Because at this time a party of 2 was on the summit, rappelling down, so we ascended their rope to the summit. Not ideal, but it worked.

At this point, the boys were battered and started our long slog back to the car.

13 hours car to car.

Not setting any records on this one, but it was an unreal summit and ski descent.

10/10 would recommend and do again.

<<< We are visibly trashed and also drove 5 hours back to Denver after this…

Gear Notes:

• Double Ice Axes (hybrid axes are fine)

• Steel Crampons

• Possibly a Light Rack

• Rope for a 30-Meter Rappel

Strategy Notes:

• There is another option where you go up and around to the summit instead of climbing the snake couloir directly, we didn’t do this, but you totally could. Plan for the cornus at the bend in the couloir if you are climbing the snake, you are under it for a while when climbing and skiing.