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Couturier Couloir

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description Couturier Couloir Overview

The Couturier Couloir is a prominent steep ice climbing and ski mountaineering route located on the north face of the Aiguille Verte in the Mont Blanc massif of France. First descended on skis in 1938, the route spans over 1,000 meters of sustained incline and is widely regarded as a classic testpiece in the Alps. Due to its steep, sustained pitch and alpine objective hazards, it is intended strictly for highly advanced ski mountaineers and ice climbers.

help Couturier Couloir FAQ

Where is the Couturier Couloir?

The couloir cuts down the north face of the Aiguille Verte in the Mont Blanc massif above Chamonix, France. It is a serious alpine line involving glacier travel, steep snow or ice, and exposure to objective hazards.

How steep is the Couturier Couloir?

Much of the line is around 45 to 50 degrees, with conditions and local sections affecting the difficulty. Its sustained angle makes it significant both as an alpine ascent and as an extreme ski descent.

Who made the first ski descent of the Couturier Couloir?

Armand Charlet is credited with skiing the couloir in 1938, an exceptionally early descent for such terrain. Modern equipment has changed, but the route remains a major undertaking rather than a conventional piste.

What conditions make the Couturier Couloir climbable or skiable?

Parties seek a stable snowpack, manageable ice, low avalanche danger, and temperatures that limit rockfall and serac exposure. Conditions on the Aiguille Verte can change quickly, so current information from Chamonix guides and hut staff is essential.

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