Colorado (USA) — Biggest Lines

⎜COLORADO ROCKIES

The Colorado Rockies are America’s winter playground. There are more ski resorts within the boundaries of this state than any other. The snow quality is high, access is exceptional, and the enthusiasm of its residents for winter sports is unparalleled in the United States. Boulder, Colorado, situated in the foothills of the Front Range, is the headquarters for the American Mountain Guides Association, the principal licensing organization for mountain guiding in the U.S. There are perhaps more licensed guides living and working here than anywhere else in the world outside of Chamonix, France. The Front Range is where most of the conventional action occurs, but the San Juans in the southwest corner of the state offer the highest concentration of ‘14ers’ (peaks higher than 14,000 feet), some of Colorado’s most beautiful scenery, and the vast majority of its steepest lines. Though snowfall is less copious than in other parts of the state, the mountains in and around the beautiful mountain town of Telluride offer some of the biggest and most aesthetic lines in the ski world. Silverton, just over the pass in Red Mountain country, adjacent to the old mining town of the same name, is nearly as dramatic, and is the only resort in the U.S. that requires the services of a professional guide to access its terrain. Avalanches are a major hazard in this continental snowpack, especially in the early and middle part of winter. Be careful!

Reflection, Maroon Bells Wilderness, Elk Mountains, Aspen, CO (Getty Images)

Lower Bear Creek Valley, Telluride, CO (photo: David Hewett)

⎪COLORADO ROCKIES / THE BIGGEST LINES

• SYMBOLS KEY: Click on the ⚲ symbol for location on Google Maps; info for trip reports; the ▸ symbol for video links; and fatmap for FATMAP link/route info.

• RATINGS KEY: Exposure: E1=Low, E2=Medium, E3=High, E4=Extreme Distance: S=Slack, R=Remote, VR=Very Remote, XR=Extremely Remote Max Slope Angle: XX°

• UPDATES: while serious hazards exist on ALL Biggest Lines ski routes, these route updates provide additional beta from new developments and/or recent trip reports

106. Contention, Lower Bear Creek, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/S/40°+

route update: serious avalanche hazard; entry restrictions

107. Dead Elk Couloir, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E2/VR/58°

108. Dragontail Couloir, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E2/VR/58°

109. Gnar Couloir, Silverton, CO ⚲ info ▸ ▸ ▸ fatmap E3/R/E3/XR/45°+

110. Grandfather Couloir, Little Wasatch Peak, Telluride, CO ⚲ info info ▸ ▸ fatmap E3+/VR/50°+

111. Hairy Banana, Little Wasatch Peak, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/VR/50°+

112. Heaven’s Eleven, Little Wasatch Peak (summit), Telluride, CO ⚲ info info ▸ ▸ ▸ fatmap E4+/VR/50+

route update: very serious avalanche and fall hazards

113. Holy Cross Couloir, White River National Forest, Colorado ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR/45°

114. North Maroon Peak, North Face, Maroon Bells, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3+/VR/50°+

route update: very serious avalanche and fall hazards

115. Palmyra Peak (summit), various couloirs,San Juan Mountains, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E2+/S/<59°

116. San Joaquin Couloir, San Juan Mountains, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ ▸ fatmap E2+/VR/45°+

117. Senior’s, Palmyra Peak, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E2+/S/43°

118. Serpent Couloir, Yellow Mountain, San Juan Mountains, Ophir, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E2+/VR/45°+

119. Sheep Chute, Sheep Mountain (summit), San Juans, Trout Lake, CO ⚲ info info ▸ ▸ fatmap E3/XR/45°+

120. Silver Chute, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/VR/48°

121. Snake Couloir, Mt. Sneffels (summit), San Juans, Ridgway, CO ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/XR/57°+

122. Suicides, Bear Creek, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ ▸ ▸ E3+/S/45°+

route update: serious avalanche hazard; entry restrictions

123. Tempter Chute, Bear Creek, Telluride, CO ⚲ info info ▸ E3/S/45°+

route update: serious avalanche hazard; entry restrictions

124. The Grande, Storm Peak, Silverton, CO ⚲ info info info ▸ ▸ fatmap E2/R/45°+

125. The Turkey Chute, Red Mountain Pass, Silverton, CO ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E2/R/45°+

126. Why Couloir, Little Wasatch Peak (summit), Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/VR/45°+

127. Wilson Peak, Northeast Face, San Juans, CO ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap E3/VR/50°+

128. Wire Couloir, Alta Lakes Basin, Telluride, CO ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/VR/56°

*IMPORTANT: Exposure Level and Distance ratings are subjective and do not adequately reflect dangers inherent on approach or egress. Use conservatively.

⎪COLORADO ROCKIES / MAPS

*The San Juan Mountains are the deeply shaded (i.e.: steep!) mountain range in the southeast corner of the map. This is where the highest concentration of tall peaks are in the state, and where the historic mountain towns of Durango, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton sit. The Front Range just west of the city of Denver is the north-south line of mountains in the center of the map. The Elk Mountains are the high peaks just north and west of center, and include the famed mountain towns of Aspen, Vail, and Crested Butte. Click on image for Google Map.

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