Found 5 blog entries tagged as backcountry skiing.

Friends of Berthoud Pass Promotes Safety, Access + Environmental Stewardship for Backcountry Enthusiasts 


It's no secret that Berthoud Pass is a backcountry enthusiast playground. Skiers as far back as the 1920s discovered the the cold, light, and deep snow "the pass" is known for. Sitting in a sweet spot that attracts deep snowpack, benefiting from both northwest flow and upslope storms, Berthoud quickly became a skiing mecca after word got out. It wasn't long before a group of volunteers installed the first rope tow system in 1937, making Berthoud Pass Colorado's first formalized ski area. The no-frills operation sitting at 11,307 feet eventually closed its doors in the early 2000s, but it laid the groundwork for skiing the 1,200 acres of terrain in…

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Snowcat Skiing: Skip the Lift Lines and Experience the Beauty of Untouched Powder in the Backcountry 

Looking for a stash of untouched steep and deeps in the backcountry? Those covetable first tracks typically mean waking up early to snag a spot in the lift line on a powder day, "earning your turns" with uphill skiing at the resort, or hitting the backcountry to skin on Berthoud Pass. We're lucky enough to have another option right in our backyard: skip the lines and hikes and hop in a snowcat instead! Snowcats easily blaze trails and traverse harsh terrain, so what better way is there to reach those backcountry gold mines of pristine snow? "Cat skiing" even has a leg up on heli skiing. Those epic winter storms that powder day dreams are made of…

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Grand Huts Association is Committed to Creating an Eco-Friendly Hut System in Grand County

If you've ever hiked up from the Second Creek Trailhead to the Continental Divide, you know the gem that is the Broome Hut. A few switchbacks up the pass from Winter Park and the first of a master-planned, trail-connected hut system spanning from Berthoud to Grand Lake, the "hut" moniker doesn't fully do the Broome Hut justice. At 1,800 square feet, the structure can accommodate up to 16 people overnight and offers a separate daytime pit stop for hikers. Created with sustainability in mind, it's solar panels, compost toilets, and pellet stove make the Broome Hut a mountain haven that can last for years to come with minimal impact on the natural beauty that…

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Skiing the Backcountry this Season? Know Before You Go: Take Advantage of Local Avalanche Classes & Training 

Skinning up a mountainside blanketed in untouched snow? Stopping at the top to catch your breath while soaking in 360-degree views off the Continental Divide before making fresh tracks through deep powder? Sign us up! Backcountry skiing and riding is an unparalleled avenue for experiencing the mountains in winter, and it's right out our back door. Berthoud Pass is full of backcountry riding opportunities--some might argue the best in the Rockies. Whether lapping the Parking Lot Glades or skiing the chutes, ski touring is a great way to explore new terrain, grow your skill set, connect with friends, and get a good work out in away from the…

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Putting the "Park" in Winter Park: Grand County, the Birthplace of Colorado's Ski Industry

The name says it all: Winter Park is well-known for the abundant outdoor recreation opportunities it holds in the snowy winter months. The deep powder days and “winter wonderland” vibes are woven into the community’s identity. Whether it be cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, or backcountry skiing, there is no shortage of fun to be had in the giant “park” we call home. 

Typically, when people hear “Colorado,” they picture the world-class skiing offered at resorts across the state. Skiing and riding throughout the Seven Territories at Winter Park Resort or teaching a family to ski at Granby Ranch is the norm these…

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