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.