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Backdoor Ski And Snowboard Routes Colorado – Life of Van | Overlanding | Car camp | RVing | Equipment Reviews | Tips and preparations for camping | Tourist guides | Others
Discover the best Colorado ski resorts for all skill levels and how to stay safe while doing it.
Backdoor Ski And Snowboard Routes Colorado
The ski season is a little different this year. Safety concerns due to Covid-19 at ski resorts include social distancing, mask requirements and closed indoor areas.
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For dedicated adventure seekers, there’s no need to cancel the ski season just because it’s 2020. Backcountry skiing offers extreme social distancing and the chance to have the open spaces of Colorado’s famous mountains all to yourself.
Colorado offers backcountry skiing for all experience levels — from beginner routes to extreme terrain. Backcountry adventure can be beneficial for advanced skiers and riders.
But keep in mind that backcountry skiing or snowboarding doesn’t have traditional ski resort amenities like ski patrols, restaurants, and equipment rentals. It also has an added risk, as the background ground is also an avalanche.
Below, we’ll explore the best Colorado ski spots for all skill levels and how you can stay safe while doing it.
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Before heading out into the backcountry, make sure everyone in your group is avalanche aware, and consider taking an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) course or negotiating with a professional mountain guide if you’re not an expert.
When planning your off-limits adventure, be sure to check your local weather and avalanche forecast to stay on top of conditions wherever you go. Reduce the risk of being caught in an avalanche by not traveling alone in the backcountry and wearing safety equipment such as an avalanche shovel, probe and transceiver.
Study your routes and find out what gear you need to get there. For example, will you need snowshoes to access the area? How do you get back in the car? Do you need split skis or skins?
Plan ahead and be prepared so you can focus on maximizing your fun during your outdoor adventure.
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For some, backcountry skiing means hiking through the wilderness to find secluded and peaceful trails. For others, it’s about climbing to the top of a mountain peak for the ultimate winter workout.
Regardless of your experience level or the type of backcountry skiing you enjoy, you’re guaranteed a crowd-free, pandemic-proof experience unlike anything else this winter.
Once you’ve acquired the necessary safety gear and experience (see our safety notes above!), head to these spots for some of Colorado’s best ski terrain.
Incredibly, there are 58 mountains in Colorado that rise above 14,000 feet. If skiing “fourteeners” is on your bucket list, check out Quandari Peak in the ten-mile range.
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Located just 10 miles from Breckenridge and 2 hours from Denver, you’ll find established routes for all experience levels.
East Bowl is a great route for backcountry beginners, with a not-so-steep climb and a fun descent across a wide snowfield, set against a beautiful alpine landscape. Avalanche risk is relatively low, but be careful on slopes greater than 25 degrees (which you will see on your trip).
Don’t wander too far north, or you might encounter what’s called “Gnarnia” – dangerous cliffs and falls you don’t want to go near.
Other routes include Cristo Couloir, North Gullies and North Couloir. Cristo Couloir is more popular, while North Gullies and North Couloir (also known as Kuandari Couloir) are reserved for experienced skiers only.
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All routes have very high altitude, so be aware of the altitude, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the nearby ski town of Breckenridge for alfresco dining and drinks. Quandari Peak is less than 15 minutes from another easily accessible ski resort, Hoosier Pass. Many non-border territories can be covered in this region.
Loveland Pass is about an hour’s drive from Denver, making it a popular weekend destination for skiers living in the city. The 11,990-foot pass is located between Loveland Ski Resort to the east and Arapahoe Basin to the west. It’s usually accessible by road, but you’ll want to check travel advisories and road closure information before you head out.
In pre-Covid times, skiers would park at the bottom and merge at the top, returning to their cars at the end of the trail. These days you’ll want to plan your trip so you don’t expose yourself to the germs of strangers.
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You can walk straight down from the parking lot at the top for an easy run, or you can walk (from 5 minutes to several hours) to different routes for different skill levels. From the front end of Loveland Ski Resort, go straight through the trees and you’ll be back on the highway.
The front side is mostly forested, so the risk of avalanches in this area is relatively low. Bowl skiing is also available, but be aware that these areas are more prone to avalanches.
Check out the nearby towns of Keystone or Silverthorne if you’re looking for some après-ski options after your time on the slopes.
Iconic Rocky Mountain skiing at some 14,000 feet is only an hour and a half’s drive from Denver. From March to June, it’s one of Colorado’s top backcountry driving destinations.
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Storage is a pristine powder pocket. At more than 265,000 ares, “Rocky” is full of them. Keep in mind that much of the park’s terrain is advanced, demanding and technical with elevations up to 14,259 feet at Longs Peak. You might want to consider a guide to help you find these hiding spots while staying safe from avalanches.
For less experienced skiers who want to experience Rocky Mountain National Park without the technical demands of other routes, try Hidden Valley. It was a former ski resort west of Estes Park that closed, leaving 1,200 acres of prime ski trails to attract skiers of all skill levels.
The safest area for beginners and intermediate riders is below the tree line and is generally safe from avalanches. Hidden Valley also has some daring routes, such as the famous Dragontail Couloir that descends into the Emerald Lake Basin. Under the right conditions, it is possible to start at the top of Flattop Mountain and descend all the way to Emerald Lake.
When skiing and exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure to enjoy the spectacular views and observe the abundant wildlife that call the park home. You can see elk, coyotes, snowshoe hares and more along the trail.
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Some expert skiers consider the Red Mountain area near Silverton to be the best in the state, which is saying a lot in a state with seemingly endless backcountry opportunities. However, the same elements that make it exciting and fun also make it dangerous – the avalanche risk is high and preparation is essential.
It’s such an active avalanche zone that Highway 550, the road to it, has its own forecaster. Check the forecast and plan accordingly or work with a guide.
Crvena planina offers all types of off-limits terrain you could want – from soft trails to summits, traverses, couloirs and bowls. It is a true paradise for experienced skiers. For beginners or intermediate riders, consider hiring a mountain guide who will surely guide you to the best route.
Getting here is also part of the adventure. From Denver, Red Mountain is a 6-hour drive through some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country, including Ourai and the Million Dollar Highway.
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Ourai is about 30 minutes away and Silverton is 20 minutes away, both offering an old west mountain town atmosphere and plenty of restaurants for hungry skiers.
Berthoud Pass is another former ski mecca that has been converted to backcountry skiing and a great place for new backcountry skiers to build their experience.
Beginner skiers can descend directly from the car park, meaning you don’t need to invest in skins or splitboards to access the area’s excellent skiing.
There is something here for everyone. The east side of the pass is more stable, but those who want to go to the west side will be rewarded with impressive terrain.
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Just an hour’s drive from Denver and less than 20 minutes from Winter Park, Berthoud Pass offers breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and receives an incredible 500 inches of snow each year.
Due to its convenient location, it attracts many people. But with so much fresh powder, there’s definitely plenty to go around. Plus, if you decide to winter camp, you can sleep nearby and get out early to beat the crowds.
Although this was once a famous ski resort, keep in mind that it has been out of avalanche control since the resort closed in 2001. A local organization, Friends of Berthoud Pass, offers free avalanche awareness courses to help you prepare for your outdoor adventure.
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