3856 m ; 45°- 50° 800 m, pass 55°; North – North/East ; TD+ ; 5.4/ E4

Les Courtes is a mountain that seemed to be shaped for steep skiing.
From the classic NorthEast slope to the Austrian route it is possible to find all levels of difficulties in steep and extreme skiing.
This line is a combination of the Cordier climbing route in the lower part and the Gabarrou route in the higher part.
It is one of the most aesthetic lines I have ever had the pleasure to ride, with its rare conditions and where it has also been very rarely skied from above the mixed section crux above the hanging field.
I did not find any information about previous snowboard descents of the full line from above the crux.
This is the fifth line I have ridden on this amazing mountain and the first time I have dropped into its north face directly from the top, a special moment, like those turns on the airy ridge and the hanging field.
This was also the first big mountain outing in a while and although I was not feeling at my best I still did it and felt pretty well nevertheless.
The solo super exposed mixed short cut passage that Ben chose on the way up drained me of at least 2 years of life, but in general was a great adventure.
Unfortunately Ross did not feel good on the way up and had to turn back almost at the top of the hanging field.
Ben managed to go through the crux with his skis while we did a couple of short raps and some side slipping.
The snow was perfect, another great day on the mountain with special friends; Tom Grant, Ben Briggs, Ross Hewitt and Mikko Heimonen (ski), myself (snowboard).

Chilling at the top of Grands Montets

4.30 am, ready to go

Cham by night, amazing !

Ross making the first magic turns on the hanging field

Dropping from the top of Les Courtes into the North face it is a pretty special moment…pretty steep and exposed

Those turns on the ridge are pretty special

Mikko Heimonen

Tom Grant

Shredding the hanging field