Skiing the Grand Daddy Couloir // Banff National Park
Channel: The Outdoorsy Dude
Date: 2021-01-24

Skiing the Grand Daddy Couloir was easily the most sendy line I've ever completed! It's very important to do it on the right day due to steep access routes, steeper terrain once you're inside, and lots of overhead exposure including a school bus-sized cornice that lingers over the top of the line. We were blessed with an inversion which made the alpine an even more pleasant place to be despite the cold morning on the skin track. Totally bluebird, and not a single gust of wind. It is certainly an epic line and worth skiing but requires immense amounts of patience for those best possible condition days. Use the Banff National Park Avalanche Bulletin to your advantage, as well, call Banff Visitor Safety who can give even more details about the conditions and the route at (403)762-1470.

The Grand Daddy Couloir is located on the east side of Bow Peak in Banff National Park, roughly a 30-minute drive north of Lake Louise on HWY93 North (Icefields Parkway). The parking lot at the Mosquito Creek Hostel fills up quickly. It was almost 1/3 full when we arrived at 7:45am.

*DISCLAIMER*  You are liable for your own a$$ in the backcountry. Get trained (AST1, AST2, Ski Mountaineering) and go with people who know (hiring a mountain guide is a great way to learn more skills and gain confidence). The best part of any day in the backcountry is getting to come home and stretch, eat a burger, and watch a movie, so never chose a line that won't bring you home!

PLEASE COMMENT! Suggestions, ideas for future videos, improvements you think I could make, anything! I will reply and take everything into consideration.

P.S. Can't wait for COVID to be over.