Buffalo Mountain: North Couloir (aka Silver Couloir)
The north couloir on Buffalo (12777'), also called the Silver Couloir, is justifiably famous, as it offers a steep 3000-foot ski descent. The bottom gets mushy early, so don't wait too late for this classic line. Just climb Buffalo and ski NE from the summit. This route is a stone's throw from my house. On my first trip into it (with Katie Larson and Bob Salazar) my bindings broke 500 feet down and I had to walk down. Lesson learned. Then I skied it properly with Janet Jacks two years later. Photo taken from shoulder of East Red Peak. Below is a better photo taken on May 21, 2007, while ascending East East Red; finally I got to a perfect vantage point.
Do not underestimate the potential for avalanche when steepness combines with warm spring weather. In mid-May, 2005, there was a serious accident due to an avalanche on this route. This route also saw a double avalanche fatality on April 9, 1993.
Here is the view to the summit of Buffalo from the South Summit on May 15, 2005. The N Couloir is a great line, but it appears to be best to go for this on a weekday!
Here's a view of Buffalo from Coon Hill summit (June 4, 2008).
And a shot by Todd Beck of Michelle Koss in the middle of it (June 13, 2008).
