Point It Chutes

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

For an experienced backcountry rider this is a great area for summer riding—with most winter storms the cliffs between and above these chutes act like a sluice and catch snow whenever winds are blowing from the west, northwest, north or southeast creating a deep snowpack in this bowl that's one of the last areas to melt out, usually towards the middle of July, and after a good snow year it can stick around well into August.

The lines are pretty straight-forward; you can see them from afar and know if they're rideable or not as you approach.

As with every zone in the Taos backcountry this is steep, complex avalanche terrain, use common sense and know how to travel safely before attempting to ride it—this isn't a place to try new things or push your comfort level. Medical assistance and/or rescue, if even possible will require several hours or more.

There are five main chutes and a handful of tribs compose this series of steep northeast-facing couloirs at the top of a large slide path below Sin Nombre's northwest ridge. Steep granite walls tower above the chutes and hold snow well into summer. During the winter months cornices form along the ridge, entry from above may require a rappel. During the spring the best route is to access the slopes from any of the lower approaches via the Williams Lake Trail then climb the line you want to ride.