Cirque Ski
Date: 03/13/2026
Partner: Jordan Noble
Trailhead: Camp Bird Winter Closure
Distance: 12m
Elevation Gain: 4600ft
Duration: 7hrs 40min
GPX
I was stoked to join Jordan on skiing his final Yankee Boy peak!
Going in we agreed that we would ski either the south couloir (which splits Cirque's east and west summits) or the south face... whichever line "wanted to be skied more".
On ascent we booted the south couloir and descided that the south face would probably ski better. We were not disappointed. Might have to come back for the couloir on a better snow year.
Our day couldn't have been better... bluebird, windless and perfectly timed corn. A special day in Yankee Boy for sure... congrats on completing YBB Jordan!
![Cirque ski 01]()
12m - 4570ft - 7hrs 40min
![Cirque ski 02]()
After 3.1 miles and one hour of walking the road, Stony Mountain greeted us and we began skinning the remaining 3000ft to the summit
![Cirque ski 03]()
Jordan on a steep spot that was firm and slick - Gilpin in the background
![Cirque ski 05]()
Onward and upward... Cirque on the right
![Cirque ski 06]()
The higher we got in the basin the tougher it was to look away from Teakettle
![Cirque ski 07]()
Alex skinning with Gilpin behind. Note the heli tracks
![Cirque ski 08]()
Stony's north face has a few sweet options... as does it's south face
![Cirque ski 09]()
A windless bluebird in Yankee Boy is tough to beat. Stony's north face still looking rather fetch
![Cirque ski 10]()
Cirque coming into view. We booted the south couloir (center) and skied the face on the right. The couloir would make for a good ski as well... maybe with a little more snow
![Cirque ski 11]()
Jordan skins as Teakettle looks on
![Cirque ski 12]()
Almost to the base of Cirque's 700ft south couloir. The slides at the bottom of the valley are the result of avalanche mitigation by Telluride Helitrax. Wonder how they coordinate with backcountry users?
![Cirque ski 13]()
Potosi sure is a chonker - Coffee Pot on the left
![Cirque ski 14]()
Almost time to swap skis for spikes and boot the couloir
![Cirque ski 15]()
Perfect timing for a snack
![Cirque ski 16]()
Cirque's south face looking hoodoo-esque
![Cirque ski 17]()
Up we go! The snow was good for the most part but there were a few spots that require levitation techniques
![Cirque ski 18]()
![Cirque ski 19]()
![Cirque ski 20]()
Jordan eyeing the top of the coulior
![Cirque ski 21]()
![Cirque ski 22]()
The top of the couloir splits Cirque's east and west summits. We scrambled to the east summit over thin snow and ice over dinner plates
![Cirque ski 23]()
Great perspective on Sneffels and Kismet from Cirque's summit
![Cirque ski 24]()
Congrats to Jordan for completing all of the Yankee Boy summits on a board!
![Cirque ski 25]()
Gilpin to the southwest. I skied this one just a few days prior
![Cirque ski 26]()
Making our way across the summit ridge to the south face ski line
![Cirque ski 27]()
![Cirque ski 28]()
Stoked for 3000ft of corn!
![Cirque ski 29]()
A little thin! A spicy down climb on loose snow and ice over dinner plates
![Cirque ski 30]()
The south face is steep, sustained and fun
![Cirque ski 31]()
Jordan at the bottom of the face proper
![Cirque ski 32]()
What a setting
![Cirque ski 33]()
Jordan
![Cirque ski 34]()
Alex
![Cirque ski 35]()
Jordan
![Cirque ski 36]()
Jordan
![Cirque ski 37]()
Great views on the way back to the road. Saint Sophia Ridge links Emma and Mendota
![Cirque ski 38]()
San Juan's answer to Holy Cross off of T5
![Cirque ski 39]()
A parting shot of our line before walking the 3 miles back to the trucks
