Grand Teton – Skiing Topo
It took me three attempt to finally ski the Grand Teton, but it was well worth it. Part of the beauty of skiing this peak is that there is no one particular crux to it, but it is more a sum of all of its parts. There is some great skiing on it (as well as some crap-skiing), but more than anything it is a grand adventure. It gets skied quite a bit nowadays (5-10 times per year?), but don’t let that fool you – it is still a burly line with lots of exposed skiing and objective hazards like rock fall, avalanches, ice climbing and possibly some rock climbing. Ski it at your own considerable risk!
- The Ford/Stettner ski route on The Grand Teton.
View 1.6mb High Res pdf version here.
The most common line is the Ford Couloir to the Stettner Couloir, also known as the Ford/Stettner, or the “Chevy Couloir” as it is near the Ford. One of the main reasons it took me three attempts to finally ski this line is because it is hard to find if you are not familiar with the mountain. For safety-sake, most ascents start in the dark, which makes it easy to get lost. I drew this topo from memory a few months after finally skiing the Grand, so take it with a grain of salt.
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Category: Trip Reports
If I read correctly, on one attempt you ended up in the Molar Tooth Couloir? It’s amazing how many people get confused up there. FWIW, the Chevy Couloir is the line that connects the Stettner to the Ford…more or less the part you can’t/don’t ski.
IMHO, I’d say the GT gets skied more like 20-30 times a year these days. It took me 5 tries to nail it. Mind you…in good conditions. It’s pretty wild to see how much conditions change up there from winter into spring. Much easier objective in the spring. Here’s a link to a descent in boot-deep powder!
http://www.tetonat.com/?p=95
20-30 times! I had no idea it was becoming that popular. Our first attempt did end up in the Molar Tooth, which was kind of comical as the description vaguely followed that of the Stettner as far as going up a couloir, finding a rock wall, etc.. The second time I had my tent shredded by high winds, but the third time was the charm.
Blame it on the internet!!!! :wink:
“Rack for Alex:
-Nikes
-1 Pwr Bar
-Lip Balm”
LMAO
The Lip Balm was optional.. :)