Vesses couloir from Youla

Courmayeur

One of Courmayeur's classic off piste lines for good skiers

Freeride Skiing Difficult

Distance
1.7 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
782 m
Low Point
1.8 km
High Point
2.6 km
Gradient
37˚
Vesses couloir from Youla Map

This is one of the most classical and rewarding off piste lines in Courmayeur. Facing north-northwest, it often holds excellent snow for much of the season. From the top of the Youla cable car station exit and head right to cross the big wind barrier at its left side. Ski down about 100 metres (watch out for rocks in this early section), traversing left then look for an evident big couloir on your right side. Ski down this couloir to a big bowl which is almost flat. Don't carry on across this flat section to the tempting looking couloir ahead - go left instead. You'll find a huge couloir with some small trees in the middle that becomes increasingly narrow in the lower part. In the narrow part at the bottom of the couloir things get steeper for few meters and you can find ice in a poor season or at the beginning of winter. Keep skiing down to the bottom of the couloir to reach the bottom of the main valley, which contains a small river. Cross this easily enough then follow an easy road (the last kilometre of which will require some poling to get along) that brings you to the Zerotta chairlift. Take care when this descent is icy or wind packed; it would be easy to slip on the steeper sections. The run can also be really dangerous after snowfall or in unstable conditions.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between December and April

Features

  • Trees
  • Cliffs

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area