Powder Project Logo

A Rocky Mountain mega-classic.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

Ski Line

11,784' 3,592 m

High

10,151' 3,094 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

1,633' 498 m

Down

58%

Avg Slope (30°)

106%

Max Slope (47°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

Fantastic springtime skiing.

Need to Know

Cornice at the top of the couloir. There's rock fall potential, and this is definitely avalanche terrain. I recommend a springtime descent.

Description

It's very common to skin up Flattop or to climb the couloir from Emerald Lake. From the top, there are two entrances—the classic entrance is to the looker's left, and the Incisor entrance is to the right. The Incisor is probably skied more commonly since it's not as steep or narrow as the classic line, however it does involve an exposed traverse over a cliff band where it connects to Dragon Tail.

After the two entrances merge, the couloir gets much wider and far less steep. From there out, it's a consistent, mid-30s slope the rest of the way making it an absolute blast to ski.

After you get out of the couloir, there's an apron to ski down to get to Emerald Lake. This apron can be enough fun on its own that people lap it on clear days.

D Scale rating: II D13 R3

Contacts

Shared By:

Eric Internicola with improvements by Hogan Warlock

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 37 votes

#1

Overall
  4.9 from 37 votes
5 Star
89%
4 Star
11%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#1

in Colorado

#1

Overall
245 Views Last Month
33,419 Since Mar 12, 2015
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
3%
0%
3%
17%
77%

Photos

Approaching the crux of Dragontail, Emerald Lake is far below.
Mar 2, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Sam, skiing the first snowfield in Smoke and Dragons
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Making headway down Dragontail towards Emerald Lake
Jan 9, 2020 near Grand Lake, CO
Getting closer to the bottom of Smoke and Dragons; here's one of the spots where you really need to stay left.
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
DT Couloir on March 23, 2022 @ 2300.  Taken from Emerald Lake
Mar 26, 2022 near Grand Lake, CO
Marking the location of Smoke and Dragons relative to Dead Elk and Dragon Tail
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 31 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 23, 2024
Ryan Candell
5mi — 3h 00m
Apr 30, 2023
John Shin
Warm spring conditions. Dense, wet snow at 9:30am. Conditions were good though. Any colder and the drop-in would have been icy. — 3h 30m
Mar 16, 2023
Mighty Mango
Jun 11, 2022
Jake Albright
May 14, 2022
Donald James
That was dope only 3.5 to 4 hr round trip
May 12, 2022
Chris Johnson
Did climber's left variation (chute with high walls). Made it to the little rock step and decided to transition because of time. 4.7mi — 4h 38m
May 2, 2022
Dan Trampe
May 8, 2021
Chris Stellato
Snow coverage appears to be good, fully in. I viewed the line from the top (main entrance) but did not ski it on this day.
Welcome

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started