The Sawtooth Mountains are just that: toothy. And no other peak in the range rivals the raggedness of Mount Heyburn. The ridgeline looks like one that is straight out of Patagonia - stunning rock walls seemingly on the brink of tumbling off the mountain. Thankfully, a few ski lines cut through these impressive features. Most notably is the North Couloir which is also known as the Petzoldt Couloir. This North-facing refuge promises tricky avalanche conditions during mid-winter but offers a haven for cold snow through the warming months of March & April. Do yourself a favor and book a few nights at the Bench Hut, you’ll be wanting to ski this more than once.
You can access the line from Redfish Lake. It’s a bit of a walk without too much vertical to reach the base so it can be a nice full-day objective. From the parking follow the Bench Lake Trail alongside Redfish Lake and up to the Bench Lakes. Aim for the upper southwestern lake. If you’re looking up at Heyburn and can’t see the couloir then you may in fact be in the completely wrong area and not even looking at the correct mountain. It’s damn hard to miss.
The most difficult part is likely the upper headwall of the line. It’s steep and exposed. Plus, the daunting nature of the peak essentially consumes your whole being.
Just book a few nights at the Bench Hut. One day skiing in the area will not be enough to satisfy your ego's desire for more steep skiing.