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50 Classic Climbs of Colorado
With so much climbing in one state, it can be hard to know where to begin. I get inquiries nearly every day asking me to point climbers towards the best routes, so I finally compiled my favorites into one document, sorted by region. Classic destinations like Eldorado Canyon and Lumpy Ridge are heavily represented, as are multi-pitch routes and long alpine classics. I leave out many of the best single-pitch climbs in the state and focus on the longer classic climbs.
FALL 2025 ROCK CLIMBING
Fall in Colorado is every climber’s favorite season. Warm September days at alpine crags, cool October days in the canyons, and chasing the November sun to the desert are just part of the climbing life in the Mountain West.
SKIING THE NORTHEAST FACE OF LES COURTES
After a brief rest at the top, we were giddy to drop in. Making turns down the 45-degree face, we found deep, cold, dry snow the wasn’t sluffing too much, but the steepness of the face mandated that we avoid any running snow, for fear of being carried off our feet and down the huge line. Each turn was dreamy, predictable, and smooth. I had never made turns this steep in snow so good on such a big face. It was other-worldly.
Skiing the Col des Cristaux
After a stretch of mixed weather, lots of fresh snow, and a week of guiding, the skies cleared for a couple days in Chamonix. John Michael McGinn, a fellow Exum guide, joined me for a 2-day trip to the Argentière basin. This area is known for its steep north facing extreme ski descents. Conditions were perfect to explore the legendary terrain here, starting with the Col des Cristaux.
Dream Line: Skiing the Cosmiques Couloir
The Cosmiques Couloir, nestled in the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif, is renowned among skiers for its challenging pitch and breathtaking views. With its entrance rappels, steep slopes, and a glaciated exit, it presents an exhilarating yet formidable descent that demands precision and skill. Skiers who make the pilgrimage to Chamonix almost always want to test their nerve and technique on this benchmark of ski-mountaineering history. And it lives up to the hype.