Best Couloirs In The Sea To Sky

There are a lot of superb lines to ski in the Sea To Sky area.  Big open steep faces, billy goat lines, exposed spines, fall away ridges, but nothing as memorable as skiing really big couloirs.  Couloirs are the same to skiers as getting tubed is to surfers.  That feeling of being inside and part of the mountain, as the sound of your turns echo off the walls, and only one way to get out.  Funny enough, there are some lines that are considered couloirs, when really they are merely chutes or gullies.  A true couloir must be long dropping a good amount of elevation, aesthetically obvious with large walls dominating the sides of the corridor, and at least steep enough to need to turn.  These are just some of the ones that standout in my mind, all of which are toured to, and not heli dropped.

Birkenstock Couloir, Microwave Ridge Birkenhead Peak, D'Arcy
Alright I know this really isn't exactly Sea To Sky, but it is really close to the road, making it within perfect day tripping range.  First climbed by Drew Brayshaw in Sept 1998, this 700m 45-55deg couloir is gorgeous, and begs to be skied when looking at it.  The straightforward approach, climb, and atmosphere of the couloir makes it an instant classic to add to anybodies bucket list.  Full Photo Here (Photo Credit: Pat Mulrooney)

(Video Made By Chris Christie)


Aussie and Central Couloir, Mt Joffre, Duffey Lake Road

The Aussie (Australian) Couloir is an utmost classic for budding ski mountaineers to cut their teeth on.  It's long 400m elevation loss while skiing a cool 45 degree slope is a treat to ski.  However, it's south facing nature does make it prone to sucking in the sun's rays, which makes decision making crucial, if you don't want to get washed out while climbing it.  That being said, it is a fantastic ski, and worth the trip up Cerise Creek.  Paul Cordy and myself skied in it the moonlight a few years ago, while bailing off another objective, which incidentally proved to be one of the  most nostalgic couloir experiences I've experienced.  (Photo Left:  Aussie Couloir (Left), Kiwi Couloir (Right), photo courtesy of Lee Lau)

Central Couloir, is Joffre's crowning jewel alongside the Twisting Couloir, which didn't make it on to the list, as it is more of a ski mountaineering line rather than a pure couloir.  The Central is pretty much the most dominant couloir, that demands respect, and won't allow anyone to ski it.  Most parties climb it first and ski down their tracks, however, this cuts the crux of the entire couloir off.  Skiing it from the summit is difficult, but allows you to rap in and ski the beautiful 55 degree ramp with bouts of 60 degrees, before rapping again off a 30m (100ft) cliff mid couloir.  The couloir itself is steep, imposing, and requires a "no-fall" attitude.  Beautiful from top to bottom, with an additional mega luxurious glacial descent through seracs, crevasses, and rolling terrain.  One of my personal favorites.  (Photo Right:  Central Couloir, Mt Joffre, BC)



Supercouloir and Camel Toe Couloir, Spire Peaks, Squamish

Another two rarely skied gems, hidden away in the basin of Spire Peak, just off the Garibaldi Neve.  The Supercouloir (left) skied a handful of times, and the Camel Toe (right) only once, are worthy of the list specifically from their gorgeous aesthetic nature.  Hands down probably the most perfect couloirs in the area, and up there with those in the province.  Make no mistake, a long hard road with fantastic conditions is required to ski them, but to those who put in the time they are most memorable.  (Photo Left:  Spire Peak Couloirs)

The Supercouloir, featured in a Doglotion article, got this couloirs notoriety out there.  Just shy of 1000m long (3200 ft) of couloir skiing, with a beautiful easy going slope angle, this is what dreams are made of. It's neighbor the Camel Toe, is a bit more full on, boasting over 1000m of skiing through it's doglegging and twisting walls make this a bit more of an undertaking than it's neighbor.  Expect a short 70cm squeeze near the top just below it's steepest 50 degree chockstone which may or may not hold snow (depending on the snow year).  While skiing either of the two couloirs, expect a very long approach and exit, and ensure you get your timing right otherwise it will be all for nothing.  (Photo Below:  Trevor Hunt mid Supercouloir, Trevor Hunt Collection)

Siberian Express, Mt Atwell, Squamish

Ah the cream of the crop.  This beautiful, big, hairy couloir doesn't see a lot of descents, but if you can nab it it's one of the coolest you'll ski in your life.  The Siberian Express is situated off Mt Atwell's West Face, but is guarded by either a heinous approach with a scary climb up the guts of it, or coming around the back of it and dropping into the unknown conditions of it.  Both ways require the utmost care in decision making, as some parties have encountered surprising "walls of ice" that are unskiable, requiring more than just simple ski skills to get around.  Train hard, skiing this won't be a walk in the park.  (Photo Left:  Siberian Express (red line), Photo By: Trevor Hunt)

Notable Mentions
Mt Matier - Twin One Couloir
Mt Wedge - NW Couloir
Mt Currie - Pencil, Diagonal, Y Couloirs
Mt Rethel - N Couloir

Any others you can think of?