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Notch Couloir

Rocky Mountain National Park

One of, if the not the most intense ski descents in the state.

Ski Touring Extreme

Distance
482 m
Ascent
11 m
Descent
360 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
3.9 km
High Point
4.3 km
Gradient
63˚
Notch Couloir Map

Often skied while belayed on a rope, this line stacks up to be one of the craziest out there. It's really just a mountaineering route that can be skied. Climb Lamb's Slide to where Broadway starts, and take the exposed ledge to the base of the couloir. To get here, Class 5 is required. People tend to rope up and there's good pro the whole way. You want to be very sure that avy conditions are stable, because if this rips you're going 1000ft off the Lower East Wall below. In the summer this route goes at AI2 or so, but if you get it in great conditions you might be able to get some about-60° skiing. Good luck with this one, send pics!

Difficulty

Extreme

Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.

Extreme Exposure (E4)

4 out of 4

In case of a fall, the skier faces certain death.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

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

Best time to visit

between April and June

Features

  • Cliffs
  • Couloir
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Rope
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons