Notchtop Couloir

The Notchtop Couloir is one of the better known steep ski descents of Rocky Mountain National Park and deservedly so as it lives up to it's reputation on a yearly basis;  typically it's in great skiing shape from March until June.   The couloir's consistent angle and dramatic location combine together for an ascent and descent that will keep you on your toes. 

 

notchtop couloir


Length:
 Approx. 1800' vertical from  12.2K  to 10.5  (Two Rivers Lk.)

Avg. Angle:  45

Steepest Angle:  50

Technicality:  Generally 3rd class when in skiable shape- no ropes needed.

Avg Tour Length:  5-7 hrs.  car to car.

Typical Avi Danger:  Many D2-3  sloughs during and after storms plus soft slab potential in upper layers are the  most common hazards.  

Snowpack is typically deep (4-7 m) and in the spring debris  can pile up at the base of the couloir, often  from large, heat caused  sloughs and this slope is large enough to do some damage if a slab did form and release.

climbing notchtop couloir backcountry skiing

(Click on photos to enlarge)

notchtop couloir rocky mountain national park classic ski descent  backcountry skiing rocky mountain national park


(LEFT) Skinning up the east face of Flattop Mountain and then traversing along the Continental Divide and over Ptarmigan Point is one of the favored approach options to reach the top of the Notchtop Couloir ( green arrow). 
(RIGHT) The other approach option is to ski into and up the Odessa Gorge from the Bear Lake trailhead (9400') and then past Lake Helene and Notchtop Spire to the base of the couloir at approx. 11,000' and make the climb-up from here.

 

notchtop couloir ski mountaineering colorado  eric sparks backcountry skiing colorado
 (LEFT) A view of the Notchtop Couloir which sits directly between Knobtop Mountain and Ptarmigan Point on an east spur of the Continental Divide just east of the Ptarmigan Glacier.  This south-facing aspect is in one of the windiest valleys in the region and so lee-loading can be a concern much of the year.  (RIGHT) Eric Sparks hikes part of the Continental Divide trail after skiing up Flattop Mountain.

 

notchtop couloir backcountry skiing colorado

Looking at the south face of Notchtop Mountain with the Notchtop Couloir in red.  On the east face of Ptarmigan Point is the Ptarmigan Headwall with a couple of nice ski lines in blue including the Ptarmigan Glacier on far right (green) which is the lowest angle of all of these slopes at about 32 degrees in steepness.

 

(Click on the images below to enlarge)

climbinglife guides backcountry skiingnotchtop couloir ski mountaineering colorado
Timing along with skiing ability are the keys to success in this "no-fall terrain" that requires expert ability in both judging the snow stability and it's suitability for skiing.  The "corn-window" can often be short and in the spring- early.  Reaching the top of this couloir by 9 or 10am may be necessary for a safe and smooth descent and arriving late is not an excuse for getting hurt or worse.
The Notchtop Couloir  is classic ski mountaineering and with an average of a 3.5  hour approach and 1.5 hr. descent to the car,  you still have plenty of daylight left for your other extra-curricular activities.

climbing notchtop couloir

 

 

Contact ClimbingLife Guides for more information about guided ski descents and backcountry skiing in the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

or call: 970.744.4898

 

 

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