Geneva Cirque: South Couloir

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Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

A steep and fairly sustained line of summer snow situated above Lake Geneva, which depending on when it is skied, has a highly consequential crux point at which the couloir narrows to above 7 or 8 ft. and has a maximum angle of 55 degrees. Great lower angle apron skiing follows and can extend far into the cirque depending on the time of year.

Road into Coffeen Park requires a high clearance vehicle.

Get an early start, this gets some morning sun and timing it for the right conditions can be difficult. Approached via the Solitude Trail (038) from Coffeen Park, one breaks north from the trail crossing the meadows north of the lake. Navigate up the boulder fields just east of the waterfall and through trees to reach the Geneva Cirque. Boulder-hop across the cirque to reach the base of the line, wherever snow reaches at that time. Boot up the line directly, ice-tools and crampons are recommended; I have done it with both a single tool and double tools. Be careful of falling rock, stuff gets kicked down the couloir occasionally. Alternatively, one could hike up to Geneva Pass and head north from the pass to access the line from the top. Round-trip the direct approach is about 12 miles with 3500 ft. gain, the alternative approach from the pass would likely be more mileage, but probably the same amount of vertical.

The line itself forms different every year, and could look different depending on what time of year it is skied, and the amount of snow it gets over the winter. I'm describing it here as it was in mid-late July of 2023 and 2024. The top section of the couloir is sustained steep and a fall would be of high consequence, reaching angles of 50 to 60 degrees. After a short crux where it narrows to about 7 or 8 ft. at 55 degrees, it slowly relaxes to lower angle terrain as the apron fans out across the boulder field.

First known ski descent on July 21st, 2024, by Austin Akers.