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Northstar Couloir

Durango

A cornice-topped face that ends right at the edge of town.

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
3.3 km
Ascent
8 m
Descent
1.2 km
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.9 km
High Point
4.1 km
Gradient
37˚
Northstar Couloir Map

Sultan Mountain rises dramatically from the town of Silverton, and hosts plenty of steep descents within a stone's toss from civilization. If combined with either the east or north ridge routes, this feels more like a true mountaineering objective.

Description

Take your desired route to the summit. The easiest would probably be to traverse over from Grand Turk. Go to the large cornice north of the summit (but not too close to the edge!), and choose where to start your descent. We chose to ski down the lower-angle wind lip found looker's right of the cornice before cutting skier's right into the couloir proper. In the basin, you can either ski out the gully below treeline or cut skier's right back to the east ridge skintrack.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between March and May

Features

  • Alpine
  • Couloir
  • Tree Skiing
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins