Comments on: 14er Ski Descents: The Classics

By: Irlts

Irlts — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:44:12 +0000

Well you’re right in that the hard ones are the best for a variety of reasons, that’s why as with rock climbing, the better you get the better it gets. However, you need to keep in mind that a lot of 14er skiers are content to just go after the easier ones, but maybe they just hang out on 14ers.com

As for some of the choices, we caught Princeton in awesome corn conditions, that combined with the big vertical and the position over the valley, especially with that view of it coming up 285 makes it a must do line for the easier ones.

The reason I put Humboldt on the list is because of the position among the crestones and the sangres that you achieve, while keeping the chance of death relatively low. I also did that one just this year so it’s fresh in my mind, we’ll see how it holds up as the years pass.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:46:36 +0000

Thanks, Irlts! You’re right, I should have added some easier ones, but that’s my personal bias coming through. Good calls on Quandary and Handies. Princeton was far and away my least favorite 14er descent, personally, but I know some folks love it. It’s certainly aesthetic. The only reason I wouldn’t consider the SE flank of Humboldt to be a classic is that it’s rare for it to be in condition. that side of Columbia looks fun, but I haven’t been up that side…

By: Irlts

Irlts — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:08:50 +0000

So it looks like that’s mainly the more difficult classics, which tend to be the best overall lines, as with rock climbing. However, there are some great classic easier 14er routes which shouldn’t be overlooked by people who might not be up to the task of hitting the harder routes. Some of the easier ones that shouldn’t be missed.

Quandary – cristo couloir and east face
Handies – american basin
Princeton – east slopes
Columbia – three elk creek
Humboldt – s.east flank