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By Sam Collentine, Meteorologist Posted 3 years ago November 16, 2021

WATCH: The FIFTY - How to Ski Big Lines, Devil’s Bedstead

So much of the process of climbing and skiing big mountain objectives is predicated on the research and planning that takes place in the weeks and days leading up to your adventure. This episode of The FIFTY explains the process (researching the line, avalanche conditions, weather) and shows how trip planning can be the difference between success and failure in the mountains while attempting to ski an Idahoan classic line, Devil's Bedstead.


The FIFTY is a project following Cody Townsend as he attempts to climb and ski all fifty of the lines and mountains chronicled in the book, "The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America". The series documents Townsend's journeys, travels, challenges, and each line and mountain listed in the book. It's a journey through the most majestic mountains and ski lines in North America along with a unique insight into how skiers make decisions in the backcountry, how they plan, navigate, and safely move through the mountains along with the people that dedicate their lives to the mountains.

Line #1: Messner Couloir

Line #2: Mt. Superior

Line #3: Terminal Cancer

Line #4: Hypodermic Needle

Line #5: Mt. Currie

Line #6: Aemmer Couloir

Line #7: Joffre Peak

Line #8: The Sphinx

Line #9: Spearhead Traverse

Line #10: Giant Steps Couloir

Line #11: Grand Teton

Line #12: Landry Line

Line #13: Middle Teton

Lines #14-15: North Maroon & Holy Cross Couloir

Line #16: Mt. Tukuhnikivatz

Line #17: Wilson Peak

Lines #18-19: Meteorite Mountain & Pontoon Peak

Line #20: Watson Traverse

Line #21: Mt. Shasta

Line #22: Mt. Timpanogos

Line #23: Mt. Washington

Line #24: Mt. Shuksan

Line #25: McGown Peak

Line #26: The Sickle

Line #27: Mt. Moran

Lines #28-30: Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, & El Dorado Peak

Line #31: Mt. Stimson

Line #32: Castle Peak

Line #33: Mt. Whitney

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About The Author

Sam Collentine

Meteorologist

Sam Collentine is the Chief Operating Officer of OpenSnow and lives in Basalt, Colorado. Before joining OpenSnow, he studied Atmospheric Science at the University of Colorado, spent time at Channel 7 News in Denver, and at the National Weather Service in Boulder.

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