323 m away
Y Couloir
Probably the longest, most consistent rock-lined chute in the Wasatch if you're into that sort of thing.
Severe Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.7 km
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Descent
- 993 m
Y-Not Couloir
Salt Lake City
Wasatch Backcountry
The Y-Not Couloir is a steeper, spicier little brother to the Y Couloir. It's a bit shorter and involves a short rappel.
Ski Touring Severe
- Distance
- 1.1 km
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 809 m
- Duration
- 0-1 hrs
- Low Point
- 1.9 km
- High Point
- 2.7 km
- Gradient
- 48˚
The Y Not Couloir is around 2,700 feet and around 45 degrees in pitch. It's a little tricky to find and get into, but once you're in it it's an incredible run. Park at the pull-out on your right 2.7 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon, follow the road down to the river, find a good crossing and head towards the apron of the Y-Couloir and climb up it. Take your first and second right hand branches of the chute. A few hundred feet shy off the top climb up to the right and over the ridge to drop into the chute.
Description
The run starts in the trees and filters into a large open chute that continues to get more narrow until it comes to a short vertical rappel. Getting to the rappel can be icy and crampons and and an ice tool are good ideas. There were two bolts to rappel off of, but they are exposed to rock fall and word on the street is they may have been damaged, or sheared off. It might be a good idea to bring your own gear for an anchor, or add some back up. In a big year the rappel is only 20 to 30 feet, but in a lean year it can be nice to use the rope to continue down the tight and rocky lower part of the chute. You could also down climb this section to the apron.
Difficulty
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
Medium Exposure (E2)
As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.
Remoteness
Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.
Best time to visit
Features
- Trees
- Cliffs
Equipment required
- Rope
- Skins
- Crampons
Similar routes nearby
1.9 km away
Dresden Face
The Dresden is one of the longest and most continually steep faces in the Wasatch.
Severe Ski Touring
- Distance
- 658 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 493 m
4.5 km away
Stairs Gulch
Stairs Gulch is 4,000 feet long, serious with a combination of a steep, technical chute and a flat, more mellow finish.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 1.5 km
4.8 km away
Scotty's Bowl
Scotty's is a classic north facing roadside attraction in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Ascent
- 23 m
- Descent
- 754 m
8.7 km away
Argenta - W Couloir
A big fun run off of Kessler Peak with some great chute and trees skiing involved.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Ascent
- 18 m
- Descent
- 1.1 km
9.1 km away
God's Lawnmower
This is the huge avalanche path that's visible from the road on the N slope of Kessler Peak.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 2 km
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 946 m
9.3 km away
Old Growth / Benson & Hedges
Old Growth chute is a mini classic that provides great rock wall lined ambience and easy access.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 580 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 364 m
9.4 km away
Virginia Slims
Virginia Slims is the fun dogleg chute next to the more popular Old Growth chute in the lower reaches of Cardiff Fork.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 871 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 472 m
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
Guidebooks in this area
18 routes · Resort Ski Touring · Ski Touring