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Moderate skiing with big consequence for a fall, leads to a short, steep crux.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.4

KM

Ski Line

14,116' 4,303 m

High

13,390' 4,081 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

726' 221 m

Down

51%

Avg Slope (27°)

62%

Max Slope (32°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

Endless arguments can arise when choosing the best ski line on Longs Peak. Position versus length versus steepness versus exposure vs etc...

The North Face isn't a long line, but the position is classic. Expect to wait for a series of sticky spring storms to make a clean descent. It is recommended that the route be climbed before skiing to get beta for the crux slabs.

Need to Know

The summer route eye-bolts may or may-not be easily accessible in late spring. Plan to leave gear if you need to rappel, or better yet use patience and wait until the line is in.

If you sense any signs of instability, bail ASAP. You do not want to get avalanched over the slabs, or worse, Chasm View.

Description

From the summit, move slightly west, then take a fall line descent back towards the crux slabs. The skiing here is open and classic, but a fall could be quite bad. If those storms were sticky enough, the slabs will go with a series of hop turns on 50 degree slopes. If not, prepare to rappel or downclimb. I'd estimate the slabs are skiable every couple of years.

The line seems to come into best shape sometime between April and June, and will often only be skiable, clean, for a few days or weeks. It is worth the wait for conditions.

Lou Dawson gave this route a difficulty of D12 ( loudawson.com/rating-ski-de…).

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Killgore with improvements by Jacob Winey

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#58

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Ski Line Rankings

#16

in Colorado

#58

Overall
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Photos

Perfect conditions on the North Face in June 2015. Good coverage all the way down the face.
Mar 17, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO

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