The Chute

The Chute is a steep snow and ski line in Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington, New Hampshire, two gullies skier’s right of Left Gully. It forms a defined gully between rock walls, with the upper pitch in the 40–50° range before easing lower down, and is treated as serious mountaineering and expert ski terrain.

From Pinkham Notch, follow the Tuckerman Ravine Trail into the bowl, then skin or bootpack up to the base of the obvious gully between the larger rock buttress on skier’s right and a smaller rock feature on skier’s left. Most parties climb the exact line they intend to ski to scope buried rocks and runnels rather than ascending via Left Gully and traversing.

Hazards are significant: frequent avalanche activity, overhead ice and rockfall, long fall potential on firm snow, and a blind rollover at the top that hides the slope below. The constriction and rock walls can funnel debris and amplify consequences for a slide. Helmets, crampons, axe, and full avalanche kit are standard, and this is not an appropriate first steep-ski objective.

Best use is in stable spring snow with a solid overnight freeze and softening corn by late morning; mid‑winter often brings touchier wind slab and more overhead hazard. Always start with the Mount Washington Avalanche Center advisory and current observations, and be ready to walk away if stability, icefall, or crowds make the line too risky. For official avalanche and safety information, see Mount Washington Avalanche Center.