Guidebook
Charlie Boscoe's 50 Favourite Ski Adventures in Europe
After 14 winters based in the Alps, here are the best 50 trips I've had on my skis. Needless the say, the "to do" list is still much longer than this "done" list!
Incredible skiing and fantastic ambience below the Trient Glacier.
Underneath the north face and heading for home
The line as seen from Pic Lombard
Skinning up towards the summit
Skiing perfect powder, alone, beneath La Meije. Perfection!
Licence Free
Adventure awaits at the beginning of the adventure.
Licence Free
Confins with the Grand Cret behind
Licence Free
Descending the steeper slopes in Paccaly
Licence Free
Careful descending required
Licence Free
Heroic pose at the bottom of the Grand Cret
Licence Free
Steep approach to the Trou with Grand Cret behind
Licence Free
Looking through the Trou into the Combe of Paccaly
Licence Free
Finding the line in Paccaly
Licence Free
Steep at the top of Paccaly
Licence Free
The infamous Trou
Licence Free
Arriving on the summit with Mont Blanc dominating the view behind.
Licence Free
Epic views from the summit, with the peaks of the Chablais on the left, the Portes du Soleil in the middle and Mont Blanc reigning supreme on the right.
Licence Free
Beautiful powder on the upper section of the descent, with Romme village visible below.
Licence Free
Great snow in atmospheric surrounding midway down the line.
Licence Free
Beginning to open it up on the lower section.
Licence Free
Mellow powder towards the bottom.
Licence Free
Edging into the start of the couloir itself.
Licence Free
Steep and exciting turns in great snow at the top of the couloir.
Licence Free
Summit!
Licence Free
Beautiful snow on the lower section.
Licence Free
Dropping into the skier's left entrance.
Licence Free
The big traverse above Mont Lachat.
Licence Free
Picking out the route on the lower section of the descent.
Licence Free
Finishing the bootpack, with the Chamonix Valley laid out below.
Licence Free
A sobering reminder of the stakes.
Licence Free
First turns off the summit.
Licence Free
Dwarfed by the scenery.
Licence Free
Looking back up at the North face from the Grand Plateau.
Licence Free
On one of the mellower sections of the descent with the Dôme du Gouter behind.
Licence Free
Abseiling into the line
Licence Free
Midway down, in perfect conditions.
Licence Free
Traversing back to the Aiguille du Midi mid-station.
Licence Free
Finishing the abseil into the line
Licence Free
Soaking in the extraordinary ambience on the descent past the Grandes Jorasses north face.
Licence Free
Abseiling off the Brêche.
Licence Free
Booting up to the Brêche
Licence Free
Skinning up towards the Col.
Licence Free
Beautiful, fast skiing on the way down the Bérard Valley.
Licence Free
Steeper skiing on the first section of the descent.
Licence Free
Emerging at the end of the bootpack.
Licence Free
Beautiful spines and features on the north face.
Finding a way down during the relatively lean conditions of January 2011.
Looking up to the entrance.
Climbing up to the Col des Autannes.
Great snow in the middle part of the couloir.
Looking back across the Glacier des Grands from the top of the couloir.
Peering into the line.
You really do ski straight off the summit!
Licence Free
Looking up at the summit from the west ridge. The Petit Pertuis is the line directly down from the little col right of the summit.
Licence Free
Earning the turns, with a great view across the Portes du Soleil.
Licence Free
Soaking in the spring sun on the way up.
Licence Free
Excellent conditions in the upper section of the descent.
Licence Free
Mellow skiing in the bowl below the couloir proper.
Licence Free
A final pause at the Chalets de Pertuis before heading back into the ski area.
Licence Free
Allalinhorn in descent Charlie Boscoe
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Allalinhorn from the summit Charlie Boscoe
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Allalinhorn, view to Alphubel Charlie Boscoe
Licence Free
Exiting the lower section of the line
Perfect spring skiing on the mellow slopes down to the chairlift.
The second ascent, up past the Pfeisshütte.
Licence Free
Skiing down into the upper section of the Halltal.
Licence Free
Hero skiing on the upper section
Great skiing and a lovely ambience lower down the line
Deep in the snow, and the clouds
Ready to go!
About as good as it gets!
Looking down the couloir high above Schlick 2000.
Licence Free
Beginning the traverse around before the final short ascent.
Licence Free
The reward for all the effort - a fabulous ski down into the valley that leads to the Kemater Alm.
Licence Free
Arriving at the final col.
Licence Free
At the end of the bootpack section.
Licence Free
The col from where you break onto the main face.
A fantastic view of the Ampferstein.
The first turns on the main face.
First turns off the summit, with Innsbruck visible far below.
Dropping in!
Licence Free
Perfect powder on the top section.
Licence Free
Heading towards the narrowing in the middle of the line.
Licence Free
Sledges and a wonderful backdrop at the Ganalm.
Licence Free
Great views across the peaks of Innsbruck from the top of the line.
Licence Free
Almost at the Serlesjöchl
Looking back on the ascent route from the Serlesjöchl
The first few turns in the couloir
Great snow in the middle section of the line
Looking down the lower half of the couloir
Scrambling up the ridge to the couloir entrance
Beautiful views on the final traverse back to Maria Waldrast
That moment of anticipation....
Out of the narrower section of the line and onto the faster terrain below.
Licence Free
Looking down at the lower section of the route.
Licence Free
First into the line on a powder day.
Licence Free
Finding a little air on the lower section
Licence Free
The Stunning Sella Plateau
A Narrow Section
Heading down into the Val Pisciadu
The Resort Far Below
The Top of the Val Setus
Leaving the Rifuge Boe And The Crowds Behind
The Final Skin To The Entry Into The Couloir
From Whence We Came
Tight Turns
Time To Go
First Turns Into the Val Pisciadu
Dropping In Dolomite Style
The Couloir Widens As It Progresses
On Top of the World
Looking down at the final section of the descent in late season conditions
On the descent down from the Col
Ripping down the lower slopes
Heading in!
Looking down the huge south face of Thaneller.
Licence Free
Arriving on the summit.
Licence Free
Looking down the couloir as it widens into the bowl.
Licence Free
Skis and skins back on after booting up the couloir.
Licence Free
Looking back along the last few metres of the ascent route from the summit.
Licence Free
Birds circling above the summit and adding to the ambience.
Licence Free
At Strbské Pleso lake before setting off
The final track back to Strbské Pleso at the end of the tour
A lifetime's worth of skiing visible from the top of the initial bootpack
Looking down the chairlift towards Strbské Pleso
Seeking out a more adventurous descent down to the first valley!
Looking into the descent valley
Atmospheric turns on the upper section.
Licence Free
Cruising on the mellow terrain below the couloir proper.
Licence Free
Taking the narrow option!
Licence Free
Mellow terrain in the valley north of Ahmehu
The famous old chairlift at Popova Sapka
The final descent of the tour is truly spectacular
Dropping into the valley
Taking a break midway down
Raised footprints on the way over to the valley entrance
Great skiing and big terrain midway down
Heading across the Plateau
Looking across to the top of the valley
Digging out the summit book!
Licence Free
Enjoying the open slope below the couloir.
Licence Free
Perfect snow, perfect Arctic light.
Licence Free
Savouring the views on the lower section.
Licence Free
Skinning up with the Troll Peninsula visible behind.
Licence Free
Pedal to the metal!
Licence Free
Skinning up the beautiful ridge that leads onto the summit.
Reaching the tree line on the way down, with the resort carpark visible in the background.
Dropping into the couloir in atmospheric conditions
Looking up at the line during the approach
Earning the turns!
Skinning up towards the line
This is the view you want to see - the alternative would be having to break the trail yourself!
Arriving on the summit
Skiing away and looking forward to a great descent
Arriving at the upper section of the mountain
Mind-blowing views from midway up the main bowl
Skinning up through the trees low down
Beautiful mellow skiing at the end of a long day
Looking up at the route from the treeline
In the guts of the couloir itself.
Beautiful views across the Inn valley from where you transition from skinning to bootpacking.
Excellent compact powder on the top section of the descent
Checking the route!
Looking across the north face
Approaching the mountaineering section
Starting the steep section of the ascent after leaving the jeep track
Looking into the line
Chalky snow and nobody about. La Grave at its finest.
Licence Free
At the start of the main couloir.
Licence Free
Piecing a way into the line in thin conditions.
Licence Free
Great skiing and equally good scenery.
Licence Free
Cruising on the upper section
Licence Free
Sunset powder - one of the great skiing pleasures.
Licence Free
Low angled cruising in the middle section
Licence Free
Taking a break midway down
Licence Free
Beautiful afternoon light and cold, deep snow.
Licence Free
Fantastic snow and ambience in the heart of the couloir.
Licence Free
The open slopes at the top of the line.
Licence Free
It doesn't get much better than this!
Licence Free
Getting stuck into the tree skiing.
Licence Free
Tranquility and fabulous views on the upper section of the ascent.
Licence Free
Setting out from Arpy with the Punta Croce clearly visible above.
Licence Free
Peaceful skinning up through the trees.
Licence Free
Enjoying the ambience on the way down.
Licence Free
A final bit of powder before rejoining the track.
Licence Free
Arpy Lake
Licence Free
A dramatic finish to the ascent.
Licence Free
Wide open slopes on the lower section of the ski down.
Licence Free
Amazing clouds adding to the summit ambience.
Licence Free
Playing around on some fun terrain on the descent.
Licence Free
Skinning up in the late Spring heat.
Licence Free
Time for a post-ski beer!
Planning future adventures from the summit
Brilliant spring skiing on the final section of the descent.
Licence Free
Cautious turns in the couloir.
Licence Free
A well earned drink back at the Emosson Dam.
Licence Free
At the foot of the couloir.
Licence Free
Looking back up at the final part of the descent.
Licence Free
Description
Skiing every great line in Europe would require an endless budget and 10 lifetimes, so this list simply represents the best trips I've had in 14 years wandering around the continent in search of snowy adventures.
There's a reasonable geographical spread in this list but compiling it serves as a reminder of how much there is still be done - Central Switzerland, the Pyrenees and much of Italy have not had justice done to them. I will try to rectify this soon...
This guidebook might provoke some debate about what could/should be in it but great days are often measured by intangible factors so take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy creating your own list of favourites as the ski seasons come and go!
Sommet du Grand Vallon North Couloir
Sommet du Grand Vallon North Couloir
Briançon
4 - 5 hrs
8.0 km
856 m
856 m
42 °
A classic ski couloir in a wild valley
Severe
Private
Vallons de la Meije Classic
Vallons de la Meije Classic
Les Deux Alpes and La Grave
1,616 m
38 °
4 m
5.5 km
The La Grave mega-classic
Difficult
Private
Trou de la Mouche - Grand Crêt to Paccaly Traverse
Trou de la Mouche - Grand Crêt to Paccaly Traverse
La Clusaz & Le Grand Bornand
4 - 5 hrs
7.1 km
1,077 m
1,069 m
43 °
An accessible but highly rewarding Aravis classic
Difficult
Private
Tête de la Sallaz - Couloir de la Salletaz
Tête de la Sallaz - Couloir de la Salletaz
Arve Valley
2 - 3 hrs
5.0 km
468 m
741 m
36 °
An easy ski tour to a perfectly positioned peak, followed by a steep and exciting descent. Ski touring doesn't get much better!
Difficult
Private
Monts Jovet West Couloir
Monts Jovet West Couloir
Arve Valley
3 - 4 hrs
8.8 km
705 m
1,216 m
50 °
A truly brilliant ski descent which you are unlikely to share.
Severe
Private
Trappier Couloir
Trappier Couloir
Chamonix
6 - 7 hrs
10.4 km
1,396 m
2,091 m
56 °
A large and very attractive couloir in plain view from Chamonix
Severe
Private
Mont Blanc North Face
Mont Blanc North Face
Chamonix
1 day +
22.3 km
2,889 m
2,889 m
37 °
A satisfyingly long descent from the Alps' highest summit.
Difficult
Private
Cosmiques Couloir
Cosmiques Couloir
Chamonix
1,647 m
50 °
253 m
6.4 km
This is a classic extreme skiing line, not only in Chamonix, but across the Alps. 900 meters of sustained and serious terrain between 40-50 degrees; enough to get anyones heart pumping.
Extreme
Private
Vallee Blanche
Vallee Blanche
Chamonix
2,027 m
31 °
11 m
13.6 km
Perhaps the most famous ski descent in the world? Technically moderate but very serious skiing in an absolutely breathtaking setting.
Moderate
Private
Brêche Puiseux
Brêche Puiseux
Chamonix
7 - 8 hrs
19.3 km
1,127 m
3,143 m
46 °
The classic ski-mountaineering trip of the area, taking in some mind-blowing scenery.
Difficult
Private
Col de Beugeant
Col de Beugeant
Chamonix
2 - 3 hrs
3.8 km
495 m
1,032 m
43 °
One of the classic tours of the Agiuille Rouge with a short section of exposed climbing
Difficult
Private
Mont Buet North Face
Mont Buet North Face
Arve Valley
1 - 2 hrs
5.2 km
22 m
1,563 m
49 °
A beautiful and classic steep face with a hazardous entrance
Severe
Private
Couloir Pissoir
Couloir Pissoir
Chamonix
5 - 6 hrs
11.3 km
1,101 m
1,965 m
46 °
A big adventure through some huge terrain
Severe
Private
Mont de Grange, Petit Pertuis Couloir
Mont de Grange, Petit Pertuis Couloir
Portes du Soleil
3 - 4 hrs
5.3 km
870 m
870 m
44 °
An excellent couloir on a prominent and quiet peak - what more can you ask for?!?!
Severe
Private
Mont Fort - Backside
Mont Fort - Backside
Verbier
1,591 m
50 °
58 m
8.5 km
THE Verbier classic taking a journey a long way from the ski area. Serious skiing in a serious environment.
Severe
Private
Allalinhorn, 4027m
Allalinhorn, 4027m
The Mischabel Range
2 - 3 hrs
4.4 km
649 m
579 m
40 °
One of the easier 4000m peaks in the Alps
Moderate
Private
Hinteres Rendl
Hinteres Rendl
Arlberg
1,264 m
41 °
53 m
5.9 km
A popular and long run. A classic St.Anton freeride route easily accessible via lifts.
Difficult
Private
Gampenbahn Rinne
Gampenbahn Rinne
Ischgl
835 m
39 °
2 m
2.4 km
A brilliant couloir which is best skied in spring snow.
Severe
Private
Stempeljoch
Stempeljoch
Innsbruck
6 - 7 hrs
14.3 km
977 m
2,473 m
49 °
A truly wild tour through a series of stunning valleys.
Difficult
Private
Hafelekarspitze South Couloir
Hafelekarspitze South Couloir
Innsbruck
1,438 m
44 °
28 m
4.0 km
A truly epic ski descent through some huge terrain.
Severe
Private
Kalkogel Loop
Kalkogel Loop
Axamer Lizum
1 day +
18.6 km
1,434 m
2,749 m
34 °
An awe inspiring journey around the Kalkogel range, home to some of Tirol's most dramatic peaks.
Difficult
Private
Nockspitze North-east Face
Nockspitze North-east Face
Axamer Lizum
1 - 2 hrs
3.0 km
444 m
689 m
44 °
An exciting ski line which is visible from virtually all of Innsbruck city centre.
Severe
Private
Niederer Sud
Niederer Sud
Schlick 2000
960 m
38 °
62 m
4.4 km
A stunning run with one of the best hike:fun ratios of any freeride line in Austria.
Difficult
Private
Serles North Couloir
Serles North Couloir
4 - 5 hrs
6.9 km
1,039 m
1,039 m
44 °
An aesthetic, atmospheric and exciting line off Innsbruck's most famous peak.
Severe
Private
Metzen East Face
Metzen East Face
Hochfügen
395 m
49 °
86 m
1.5 km
The Big Mountain Contest face and THE extreme line in Hochfügen
Extreme
Private
Small Gilfert Southeast
Small Gilfert Southeast
Hochfügen
859 m
30 °
51 m
4.8 km
Long joyful route in a big area without any lifts and a kind of Alaska feeling.
Difficult
Private
Val Setus - A Classic Dolomites Couloir
Val Setus - A Classic Dolomites Couloir
Dolomites
2 - 3 hrs
7.7 km
425 m
1,399 m
49 °
A Stunning Journey Across the Sella Massif Followed By An Aesthetic Steep Descent
Severe
Private
Pockkogel
Pockkogel
3 - 4 hrs
7.6 km
563 m
1,257 m
43 °
Lift access helps to make this a short tour with big rewards
Difficult
Private
Hohe Mut West Couloir
Hohe Mut West Couloir
429 m
46 °
31 m
1.4 km
An easily accessible hidden gem!
Difficult
Private
Thaneller North Face
Thaneller North Face
5 - 6 hrs
8.5 km
1,291 m
1,291 m
48 °
A fantastic route to an amazing summit with a bit of everything; a bowl, couloir, face and even some trees.
Severe
Private
Bystre Sedlo
Bystre Sedlo
Tatra National Park
3 - 4 hrs
8.6 km
703 m
1,149 m
41 °
The Tatras are something of a hidden gem, and this classic route is a good example of why they should be better known!
Difficult
Private
Stanica Lanovky East Couloir
Stanica Lanovky East Couloir
Tatra National Park
418 m
51 °
18 m
1.3 km
A brilliant and atmospheric line through some big mountain terrain.
Difficult
Private
Popova Sapka Backcountry
Popova Sapka Backcountry
5 - 6 hrs
12.2 km
835 m
1,499 m
35 °
A beautiful tour through some immaculate ski terrain
Difficult
Private
Cerbului Valley
Cerbului Valley
5 - 6 hrs
15.9 km
521 m
1,805 m
30 °
A fun adventure across the Bucegi Plateau and down a spectacular valley
Difficult
Private
Kaldbakur
Kaldbakur
5 - 6 hrs
9.7 km
1,178 m
1,178 m
40 °
A staggeringly beautiful ski tour which also serves up some exciting, fast skiing.
Difficult
Private
Kleivdalsfjellet South Face
Kleivdalsfjellet South Face
2 - 3 hrs
6.4 km
334 m
965 m
35 °
A fun little tour which involves 2 excellent descents and some truly staggering views.
Difficult
Private
Ellendaltinden West Couloir
Ellendaltinden West Couloir
Lyngen
6 - 7 hrs
12.5 km
1,348 m
1,348 m
52 °
A truly brilliant line with perfect pedal-to-the-metal terrain.
Severe
Private
Tromsdalstinden
Tromsdalstinden
Lyngen
5 - 6 hrs
10.4 km
1,234 m
1,234 m
39 °
A brilliant peak which dominates the view from the area to the south of it.
Difficult
Private
Store Jaegervasstinden
Store Jaegervasstinden
Lyngen
7 - 8 hrs
15.1 km
1,593 m
1,593 m
35 °
A long and wild journey in a stunning part of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Difficult
Private
Roßkogel Nordrinne
Roßkogel Nordrinne
Rangger Köpfl
4 - 5 hrs
9.5 km
770 m
1,349 m
42 °
A classic steep couloir which has the added draw of being visible from Innsbruck city centre!
Severe
Private
Schafseintenspitze North Face
Schafseintenspitze North Face
5 - 6 hrs
9.7 km
1,255 m
1,255 m
39 °
A stunning tour and a fabulous ski descent through some of the finest terrain in Tirol.
Severe
Private
Trifides - Grand Couloir
Trifides - Grand Couloir
Les Deux Alpes and La Grave
719 m
44 °
6 m
1.8 km
Easy to access, steep couloir skiing. A La Grave classic.
Severe
Private
Toula Glacier
Toula Glacier
Chamonix
1,227 m
47 °
0 m
3.6 km
A serious but truly exceptional, long and varied ski descent in breathtaking terrain.
Difficult
Private
Vesses couloirs from Arp
Vesses couloirs from Arp
Courmayeur
1,293 m
46 °
53 m
6.5 km
A great run from an amazing summit. There's potential for plenty of powder on varied terrain but snowboarders should be prepared for a walk at the end.
Difficult
Private
Punta Croce
Punta Croce
4 - 5 hrs
9.2 km
826 m
825 m
43 °
A remote-feeling peak which provides huge views across Mont Blanc's South face and some fantastic tree skiing.
Moderate
Private
Piatta de Grevon 2
Piatta de Grevon 2
Pila
373 m
33 °
N
0 m
0.8 km
This run is fast, fun and steep. Not to far from the beaten track but an extremely interesting area of terrain. Taking advantage of Pila's secret spots
Difficult
Private
Mont Fourchon
Mont Fourchon
3 - 4 hrs
7.3 km
681 m
681 m
40 °
A low stress tour which can, conditions allowing, be possible anytime between November and June.
Moderate
Private
Barmaz
Barmaz
Cervinia
837 m
43 °
W
3 m
4.2 km
Amazing off-piste line. From the glacier to Cervinia town, enjoy this very long run for experienced riders.
Severe
Private
Zendleser Kofel
Zendleser Kofel
Trentino-Alto Adige
3 - 4 hrs
7.8 km
742 m
742 m
39 °
A classic easy ski tour which has fabulous views
Moderate
Private
Pointe de L'Ifala North-west Couloir
Pointe de L'Ifala North-west Couloir
4 - 5 hrs
7.7 km
899 m
899 m
51 °
Just when you think ski season is over, and summer is here, you find a line like this!
Severe
Private