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LinesCouloir Curée – The Priest

Courchevel, France | FreeRide Sector: Trois Vallees

Ride Date:

14 Jan 20

Snow conditions:

Hero

Avalanche level:

3 - Considerable

Terrain:

Side country

Weather conditions:

Sunny

Precipitation:

Clear

Elevation entry point:

2700m

Elevation exit point:

2400m

Aspect:

East

Max slope angle:

Between 30 and 45 degrees

Drop in:

Steep

Exit:

Ski out

The perfect FreeRide micro-adventure.

5

Access

The journey to the Curée is almost as much fun as the line itself but while Curée will not track out as quickly as the Grand Couloir (GC) there is really only room for 4 or 5 fresh lines at the most. If you’re hunting for a virgin descent or fresh pow it makes sense to scout the line first from the Saulire Téléphérique and/or the Combe Saulire piste to judge whether it really is worth the climb.

Take the Saulire Téléphérique out of Courchevel 1850 to the summit at 2740m. (It’s also possible to take the Saulire Express out of Meribel but this route will not give you the opportunity to scope the line so it’s not recommended.) On arrival most folks will be turning left and heading down to the Panoramique Restaurant from where they can pick up other routes into Courchevel and Meribel but you’re going to turn right and step through the little gate that leads to the Go Pro Couloir and the Grande Couloir.

Follow the Grande Couloir piste markers along the ridge at the end of which you will enter a bowl. Follow the markers to the far side of this feature. This marks the entrance to the Grand Couloir. Stay riders left as you approach the entrance and instead of dropping into the couloir traverse across the top to a rocky outcrop that marks a little satellite couloir that joins the GC after just a few dozen metres. Traverse across this feature staying riders left and keeping as high as possible.

Having successfully completed the traverse it’s time to start the boot pack up to the entrance of the Couloir Curée. Unless you’re very lucky there will already be a trail to follow, if not you’ll be cutting steps to the top. Once at the top you’re going to have to assess the best way to drop the ten or so metres into the couloir. This may be the trickiest part of the whole adventure. Take your time, go at it one at a time to avoid playing human dominoes and all will be well. Once in the couloir itself it’s time to visualise your line down and around the rock feature that sits in the middle of the couloir about 2/3rds of the way down, communicate your intention to drop, clear your mind and commit. You’ll be whooping with joy by the time you arrive at the Combe Saulire red piste and the end of this particular FreeRide Micro Adventure.

What 3 Words entry point

///tolerant.sounds.limousines

What 3 Words exit point

///loathes.spent.optical
1

Tech

No specialist tech is required over and above the standard TSP. The boot pack is so steep (and short) that it can be easily achieved in standard alpine boots without a walk mode but you will want, at least, an All Mountain ride for the descent.

10

Stoke

In the right conditions Couloir Curée (the Priest), named after the distinctive finger of rock that towers above the entrance, gets maximum stoke. It’s not just the descent that gets the stokemeter red-lining. Couloir Curée is a complete FreeRide micro adventure with a little bit of everything to get your pulse racing and make your heart sing. Access from the top of the Saulire Téléphérique along the GC ridge line is always a worthy test of route selection and ski fundamentals and we love the drama of the mini boot pack out of the top of the GC almost as much as the spectacular rock formation up to which you will climb. The narrow perch at the entrance to the Curée where you must get your skis back on is a test of both flexibility and ingenuity that may even require some supplication to the Holy Father. The descent itself will have you whooping for more.

4

Gnar

Couloir Curée shares a similar aspect and elevation with the Grand Couloir piste so if the GC is open then the Curée is a fairly safe bet too but, unlike its neighbour, it’s an off-piste line so TSP are a must and safe travel techniques apply.

If the GC is closed think long and hard before you step over the tape and head along the ridge. Just because others may be doing the same doesn’t mean it’s safe – it’s a classic Heuristic Trap.

While the couloir is narrow and steep in places it is a fairly straightforward ride with only one major rock obstacle about 2/3rds of the way down. In keeping with all the couloirs that lead down to the Combe Saulire piste spills seldom result in injury beyond the odd bruise and dented ego.

Remember, as with all off-piste lines, it’s up to you to make your own risk assessment and decide if it’s right for you.

9

Awe

There’s so much to love about this line. The ride on the Saulire Téléphérique that will take you to your start point is drama enough for some. It will also give you your first glimpse of the couloir and have your heart racing in anticipation before you even clip in. On arrival at the top station take a few moments to enjoy the view of Mont Blanc to your north and feel all eyes upon you as you separate yourself from the throng and prepare to take the path less travelled along the GC ridge. Inbounds riders will stop and stare. Be sure to put on a good show for them. At the top of the GC it’s time to leave the piste markers behind and boot pack up to the distinctive finger of rock after which the Couloir is named. It won’t take you long to get there but it will make you feel like a FreeRide hero and the views from the seemingly precarious little perch will make you feel on top of the world.

Images & Video

Exiting Couloir Curee on 01 January 2024. What a great start to the year. Rider is PowdaBunga.

Exiting Couloir Curee on 01 January 2024. What a great start to the year. Rider is PowdaBunga.

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Wolf

Great line – although the Telepherique is closed this season so you can’t scope from there at the moment

Last edited 1 year ago by Wolf
Planker1

It’s not currently possible to scope this line from the Telepherique as it’s currently out of action. To access the line you now have to ascend on the Meribel side on the Saulire Express 2.

Last edited 1 year ago by PowdaBunga
PowdaBunga

The Saulire Téléphérique is back this season(24/25) – with full height glass side panels – for the perfect recce…

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