Tetons (USA) — Biggest Lines

Jimmy Chin, waist deep in the Teton backcountry, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (photo: David Stubbs)

⎪THE TETONS

This mountain range extends for approximately 40 miles in a north-south direction along the border of Idaho and Wyoming, and contains perhaps the highest (and steepest) concentration of skiable lines in North America. The area is home to many of America’s best known mountain guides and skiing legends, including Bill Briggs, the “father of extreme skiing” in North America and the first to climb and ski the Grand Teton, the range’s highest and most formidable peak. The great Doug Coombs cut his teeth here, and was famously banned* from Jackson Hole ski resort after ‘ducking the rope’ one too many times. The Tetons are known for their deep, dry powder and high average annual snowfall. Its unique geology makes for steep and dramatic ski lines— lines which can be dangerously unforgiving, but also wildly fun, especially in peak conditions. Teton Gravity Research, a popular ski movie production company, specializing in what is sometimes referred to as extreme skiing, is based here for good reason. Unfortunately, the Teton range is situated in an area of high snowpack instability, and backcountry skiers/mountaineers must use extreme caution when navigating its terrain, especially in the early and middle part of winter. But, when approached with care, the rewards offered amidst these beautiful peaks can be life-changing (it was for this author!).

*Coombs’ expulsion served only to deepen his affinity for out-of-bounds skiing, and heighten his already mythical status in the ski world. Doug’s persistence and notoriety eventually helped encourage changes in land use policy in the United States, which greatly expanded sidecountry (or off-piste) access for recreational skiers and snowboarders on public lands adjacent to privately-owned/operated ski resorts.

⎪TETONS | Gallery

click on images to enlarge

The Cathedral Group, with the Grand Teton dominating, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (photo: Powder Magazine)

⎪TETONS | The Biggest Lines

• SYMBOLS KEY: Click on the ⚲ symbol for location on Google Maps; info for trip reports; the ▸ symbol for video links; and STRAVA for Strava 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

145. Air Force Chute, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/R/42°

146. Apocalypse Couloir, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E4/VR/45°+

(route update: very serious avalanche/fall hazard)

147. Breakneck Face, Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY ⚲ info ▸ ▸ STRAVA E3/R/49°

148. Broken Thumb Couloir, 25 Short, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E4/XR

149. Bubblefun Couloir, Buck Mountain, North Face, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ E4+/XR

(route update: extreme fall hazard)

150. Buck Mountain, East Face, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3/XR E3+/VR/45°+

151. Central Couloir, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info info ▸ STRAVA E4/R/56°

152. Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/S/55°+

153. East Hourglass Couloir, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info info info ▸ STRAVA E3/XR/45°+

154. Endless Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/R/48°

155. Four Hour Couloir, Shadow Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3/R/45°+

156. The Grand Teton, Chevy/Ford/Stettner Route, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E4+/XR/56°

157. Grand Teton-Otterbody Route, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E4+/VR

158. Horseshoe Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E3/R

159. Middle Teton Glacier Route, Middle Teton, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/XR/53°

160. Mile Long Couloir, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/R/41°

161. Newc Couloir, Buck Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E3+/XR

162. No Name Face, Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/VR/48°

163. Once is Enough, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3+/VR/59°

164. S&S Couloir, Jackson Hole, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3+/S/60°+

(route update: rarely in condition; in-bounds terrain: permission to drop it must be obtained from ski patrol prior to entry)

165. The Sickle Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E3+/XR

(route update: very serious avalanche hazard)

166. The Skillet Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E3+/XR

167. The Sliver, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ ▸ STRAVA E3/XR

168. Son of Apocalypse, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3/XR

169. Spacewalk, Rendezvous Peak, BTNF, WY

170. Spock Chutes, Rendezvous Mountain, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ fatmap E3/R

171. The Southwest Couloir, Mt. Moran, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ E3/XR

172. Teewinot East Face, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info info ▸ E3/XR

173. Triple-A Chute, Upper Granite Canyon, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3/R/50°

174. Twice is Nice, Cody Peak, BTNF, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3+/R/50°+

175. V Couloir, Prospector’s Peak, GTNP, WY ⚲ info info ▸ STRAVA E3/XR/50°+

176. West Hourglass Couloir, Nez Perce, GTNP, WY ⚲ info ▸ STRAVA E3+/XR/45°+

177. Zero G, Rendezvous Peak, BTNF, WY

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