Couloir

A steep, narrow gully cutting into a mountainside, frequently descended off-piste by expert skiers in search of demanding terrain. The couloir demands technique, composure and rigorous assessment of avalanche risk, its confined walls concentrating the hazards. Resorts with mountain palaces, such as Chamonix or Verbier, count famous couloirs that guests tackle only in the company of certified high-mountain guides, blending serious adventure with managed safety.