Climbing Gully

Climbing Gully gets its name because it’s the one everybody climbs to access the summit of Mansfield. Climbing Gully is one of the most recognizable chutes on Mansfield, due to its “S” shape. Climbing Gully offers incredible above tree line skiing, but many people overlook it and head for Hourglass and Profanity. Since it is used as an approach route, it is better to ski this later in the day when fewer people will be heading uphill. To access it, look for the big orange backcountry sign behind the Gondola. A short trail brings you into the gut of the chute. The climbing itself is rather grueling, especially in deep snow. But there is usually a bootpack in place. Once you gain the ridge, put your skis on and head down the way you came. After the first few turns, there is usually a rock crux that requires a straightline. After that the gully is very wide and mellow, with a prominent rock wall to skiers right. After the first 20-25 turns, the gully snakes right. Sometimes there can be a few small spruces in the choke. Once through here, the gully drops down the fall line again and gets deeper. After about 10 more turns, you’ll pass where the bootpack cuts in, continue down through some tight trees until you reach Chin Clip.