Grand Couloir (Upper entrance)

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Fun line to do in June when you just start to miss skiing again. The later in June you go, the skinnier the line will be, so shoot for early June. Of course, check recent satellite/airplane imagery as this differs year to year.

What makes this run special is two things:
1) The views are amazing
2) You can't help but think how much you are saving your knees by skiing down instead of hiking back down as most people do.

We are not avalanche experts hence why we went when we did. If you were to do this in the winter, there are a few things to know

1) The Whiting campground gate will be closed, adding another 1.6 miles of uphill hiking (likely in the snow)
2) The trail will be MUCH harder to follow
3) The risk of avalanche is much higher and you'll need to bring gear for that.
4) You'll likely be able to ski down much further than to the lake.

The hardest part is the initial steep slope for the first 800 ft of elevation. This is because you want to avoid crashing as it is very hard to stop if you do, and there are rocks on both sides of you. After the first 100ft of elevation, the lower entrance joins the upper entrance, and you ski the grand couloir for another 700ft of elevation. The average slope grade is about 60% maxing at 75%. (This page has it right in the preview, but when I publish it, it incorrectly shows much less. I am contacting an admin about this issue) It will be clear when you need to turn right to not run out of snow (basically as soon as you can). Once you do, it is fun cruising over toward the lake popping off the occasional big sun cups and just having fun. 20% slope and less here.