Saudan Couloir Area

The Saudan Couloir is a large, steep alpine couloir located above the Jersey Cream area and below Chainsaw Ridge in the high alpine zone of Blackcomb Mountain.

 

This area is famous for the Double-Black Saudan Couloir run that goes down the middle of the couloir as well as for the other Black / Double-Black / Triple-Black runs on either side of it. It is also known for the Couloir Extreme Race that is run here.  The name of this area comes from Sylvain Saudan, who spent many years skiing in British Columbia and is considered by many to be the ‘godfather’ of extreme skiing.

​

Access to the Saudan Couloir is via the 7th Heaven Express Chairlift.  To access the couloir, ski to the left at the top of the chairlift, continue below Horstman Hut, start going down Glacier Drive (Black) and then traverse to the left (looking downhill) to the Saudan Couloir or Sylvain / Big Bang (Black) entrances.

 

NOTE: Similar to the other high alpine areas on Whistler Blackcomb, this area can be difficult and even dangerous if visibility and/or snow conditions are poor. The 7th Heaven Express Chairlift—which provides access to this area—also gets very busy on good snow/weather days and on weekends.

 

Skill Level

• The Saudan Couloir and its associated Black, Double-Black, and Triple-Black runs are favorites among local and visiting expert, freeride skiers who want to test their skills on this area of Blackcomb Mountain.

​

Maps

• Whistler Blackcomb Winter Trail Map: https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/-/aemasset/sitecore/whistler-blackcomb/maps/20231004_WB_Winter_TrailMapFull_001.pdf

• OpenSkiMap: https://openskimap.org/#15.21/50.094293/-122.891716/113.6

​

Gondolas/Lifts

• 7th Heaven Express Chairlift: This is the four-person, high-speed chairlift that provides access to the 7th Heaven area as well as the Saudan Couloir area.

 

Lodges/Huts

• Horstman Hut: Horstman Hut is a small hut at the top of the 7th Heaven Express Chairlift area. It offers limited food, snack, and drink options and has a small indoor sitting area. On a nice day, the deck at Horstman Hut offers one of the most beautiful views in all of Whistler Blackcomb. There are also washrooms in a small building next to the hut.

 

Main Routes

• There are no main Green or Blue routes in this area.

• Saudan Couloir: The Saudan Couloir is the main Double-Black run down the middle of the couloir. It starts at the top of the couloir and runs down into the Jersey Cream Chairlift area.

​

For more specific details about this area (and other areas) on Whistler Blackcomb check out my Whistler Blackcomb Guidebook ...