What Are the 50 Classic Ski Descents?
“The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America” is a guidebook, credited to Chris Davenport, Art Burrows and Penn Newhard in the sources we reviewed, that collects fifty well-known ski lines across the continent. It covers steep and aesthetic terrain, ranging widely in technical difficulty, with many lines on high mountains in the western United States, Canada and Alaska.
This is advanced terrain. The list is best read as an inspiration and a reference for skiers who already have extensive backcountry experience, not as a set of beginner objectives. If you are earlier in your journey, our list of adventure activities shows gentler ways into winter sports.
The Fifty Project With Cody Townsend
The list gained a much larger audience when professional skier Cody Townsend set out to ski all fifty lines, documenting the effort in a multi-year YouTube series called “The Fifty.” According to onX Backcountry, which partnered with him, the series consists of episodes on the individual lines, with additional behind-the-scenes content. The same source describes the lines as among the steepest and most aesthetic available, with many above 45 degrees.
onX Backcountry has said it includes guidebook-style descriptions of the project’s routes in its app, with GPX tracks and basic route data supplied by Townsend. Check the app directly for what is currently available.
What Kind of Skiing Is This?
Most classic descents belong to ski mountaineering, a blend of climbing and skiing. Typical features include:
- Long approaches on skis with climbing skins or on foot with boots and crampons
- Steep couloirs, faces and ridgelines
- Glaciers with crevasse hazard on some objectives
- Exposure to avalanches, rockfall, cornices and rapidly changing weather
- Committing terrain where a fall can have severe consequences
Skills such as rope work, self-arrest, crevasse rescue and avalanche assessment are central. These cannot be learned from a list or a video.
How the Lines Vary
The set of lines is intentionally diverse. Some are high-profile peaks that require glacier travel and alpine climbing skills, while others are closer to roads and more accessible to experienced backcountry skiers. Difficulty also changes with snow conditions, season and weather, so a line that is manageable in one year may be dangerous in another. Always consult up-to-date guidebooks, local forecasts and experienced locals for any specific route, rather than relying on a general list. Before heading into the backcountry on skis, review our ski touring pack list for safety gear and day essentials.
Skills and Training Before You Consider a Steep Descent
If you aspire to steep skiing, one common path looks like this:
- Become a strong, confident resort skier on varied terrain.
- Take an avalanche safety course from a recognized provider, and continue practicing companion rescue.
- Learn backcountry touring on lower-angle terrain with experienced partners.
- Add alpine skills, including crampons, ice axes, roped travel and glacier rescue.
- Work with a certified guide or mentor on bigger objectives.
- Build experience gradually, and be willing to turn around.
Gear and Preparation
Typical gear for ski mountaineering includes a touring ski setup suitable for the terrain, boots that work for both skiing and climbing, skins, crampons, an ice axe, a helmet and an avalanche kit with a transceiver, probe and shovel. Rope and glacier gear are added for certain routes. Equipment needs depend on the objective, so confirm with a guide or a current route description.
Safety and Judgment
Avalanche forecasts from regional centers, weather reports and recent observations should shape every decision. Travel with trained partners, make conservative choices and respect that no photo or film shows the full risk. Even highly experienced skiers face serious danger on steep lines.
Following the Project Without Skiing It
You do not have to ski a steep line to enjoy these descents. You can watch the series, read the book for inspiration and use the list to learn about notable mountains. If you enjoy planning big objectives more generally, our outdoorsman bucket list suggests skills and trips to build toward. For more ordinary winter days, our guide to national park activities includes snowshoeing and cross-country options.