260 m away
Number 2 Gully
Technical, narrow and steep, a hidden gem!
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.4 km
- Ascent
- 5 m
- Descent
- 604 m
This is one steep and poker straight gully!
Ski Touring Severe
Number 3 Gully is usually split into 2 separate gullies early on in the season, or during low snowfall years, but it it will soon fill out to become a single gully at the top section, quite similar to Number 4 Gully, only steeper.
Just like all of the routes on the north face of the Ben, Number 3 Gully is best to be climbed before skiing it, to ensure that you’re 100% certain on snow conditions before dropping in. It’s accessed via Corie na Ciste (just like Number 2 & 4 Gullies) which provide a great amphitheatre for climbers and skiers alike.
Number 3 Gully splits The Comb and Number 3 Gully Buttress which both give fantastic surroundings either side of you once in the couloir, with 2 huge walls flanking you and forcing you to take the most direct path up or down the corridor. You’ll feel the pitch steepen when you being to climb out above the rocky walls and approach the large top section.
Once at the top, you’ve got an extremely steep start waiting for you, which could be split in two or filled into one wide section, before the couloir (marginally) mellows out at the point at which the walls start to close in on you.
You really do need to make sure you’re solid performing controlled jump turns on steep terrain with this gully as you’ll soon be whizzing out of the couloir and onto the wide bowl of Corie na Ciste if you put a foot wrong. If you’re nervous about putting turns in at the top section the you could side-slip the steep part, but generally don't consider skiing this couloir if you’re unsure of your ability level.
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
260 m away
Technical, narrow and steep, a hidden gem!
Extreme Ski Touring
280 m away
A great introduction to skiing on the north face, yet still requiring strong technical abilities
Severe Ski Touring
568 m away
Starting only slightly below the summit of the Ben, you’ve got a fantastic 650 metres of skiing ahead of you all the way down to the CIC Hut through alpine-like scenery
Severe Ski Touring
648 m away
Stretching down the north face for 350m, Number 5 Gully is the longest of the named Grade I gullies on the north face
Severe Ski Touring
891 m away
Deep cut, steep couloir for the entire length - a great tick.
Extreme Ski Touring
1 km away
A great pairing with South Castle Gully, if steep and extreme is your aim of the day.
Extreme Ski Touring
1.1 km away
Ski mountaineering & steep skiing on the UK's highest peak and adjacent mountains
Severe Ski Touring
4.1 km away
A fantastic way to get way out of the resort boundaries and down into a wild and remote corner of Aonach Mor/Aonach Beag.
Difficult Ski Touring
5.2 km away
The north face of Ben Nevis hosts some of the finest steep skiing in the Highlands, with a huge range of routes accessible straight from the doors of the CIC Hut
Easy Ski Touring
5 routes · Ski Touring
8 routes · Ski Touring