A Descent Defined by Scale
Rising high on the north-facing wall of Grizzly Peak, the Grand Daddy Couloir begins near ~12,800 ft (≈3,900 m) and pours down in a single, uninterrupted line toward the basin around ~9,900–10,000 ft (≈3,020 m).
In total, it drops over 900 metres (≈3,000 ft), a vertical journey so long and consistent that skiing it feels like following the mountain’s entire geometry from summit to valley in one continuous breath.
The Grand Daddy does not earn respect through extreme angles or tight confines. It commands the basin through presence: broad, clear, and impossibly long, a natural corridor sculpted for rhythm and endurance.
A Couloir of Flow and Continuity
At the top, the entrance is wide and inviting, opening onto a headwall that tilts between 45–50°, with a brief steepening toward ~53° in certain seasons.
From there, the couloir settles into its true identity: a long, uniform descent without chokes, benches, or breaks, just a clean fall line that draws you downward in an unbroken arc.
The walls, set far apart, guide but never confine. Every turn adds to the narrative. Halfway down, the legs begin to burn; three-quarters down, the scale of the face becomes undeniable. The Grand Daddy is not a technical puzzle, it is a test of sustained control. A line where flow replaces fear, and endurance replaces aggression.
Access: Direct and Intuitive
The approach begins at the Grizzly Gulch Trailhead, a straightforward 3.2-mile (≈5 km) skin that winds through forested slopes and rising alpine terrain until it delivers you directly beneath the face.
From the moment you enter the basin, the couloir is unmistakable, a massive white corridor etched from high sunlight down to deep shade. No searching, no route-finding: the line reveals itself entirely, demanding only the clarity to climb it and the commitment to ski it well.
Snow, Terrain & Seasonal Rhythm
Thanks to its broad north-facing orientation, the Grand Daddy holds winter snow reliably and skis consistently from mid-season into late spring.
- Vertical: ~900 m (≈3,000 ft)
- Slope: mostly 45–50°, with a slightly steeper upper rollover
- Width: large, open, confidence-building
- Hazards: cornice at the entrance, periodic wind loading, long sustained descent with no rest zones
Best months: March–May, when stability is strong and coverage spans the entire face.
This couloir transforms with light and season, icy firmness in early morning, chalk and softening corn later in the day. But its character remains constant: long, clean, and immensely satisfying.
Difficulty
Rating: 7.5–8 / 10
Not the most technical line in the range, but one of the most enduring and physically demanding. The challenge lies in staying precise and composed for the entire descent, with no pauses and no resets.
Why the Grand Daddy Matters
Few couloirs in the region offer this much vertical in a single, sustained flow. Skiing the Grand Daddy is not about fear or adrenaline, it’s about immersion. About committing to a line that continues long after most couloirs have ended.
From the summit entrance to the final glide across the basin, the Grand Daddy delivers one of the most complete experiences in the Front Range: elegant, powerful, and unforgettable in its sheer length.