Telluride offers some of the best steeps in Colorado, and I mean sustained steeps, not some short 400 sq. ft. garbage dump shot. This ranking highlights “Senior’s”, which is off of the Palmyra Peak hike, which is legendary in itself. Other steep sections of the Telluride mountain would be Spiral Stairs on lift 9 and the entire Genevieve/Confidence wall over on Prospect. My Vail buddy comes down here and gets his ass kicked!!!! Love the Telluride ski experience…..by the way, “Senior’s” came in 4th place. Enjoy……..
Senior’s is a hair-raising couloir that drops off the summit of Telluride’s high point, 13,320-foot Palmyra Peak. This is big mountain terrain like you rarely find inbounds in Colorado, and nothing about it is suitable for the meek. The hike alone filters out anyone who might waffle. It’s two hours up a boot pack that can feel precipitously steep. On top, rest on the small summit and ponder the only way down—a jittery shot between rocks, on a slope that measures 52 degrees.
To get there, take Chair 12 (Prospect Express), exit left, and take off your skis. Lashing them to a backpack is your best bet for the trek up. Bring water and snacks since you’re doing a huge hike, at very high altitude, before you even start to ride. It can be tempting to peel off early into Black Iron Bowl, but you won’t earn full bragging rights unless you reach the peak.