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The Best Backcountry Ski Lines on Berthoud Pass

Score the goods in Colorado's most popular backcountry ski hotspot.

Freeride Skiing, Ski Touring Moderate, Difficult, Severe

MapGPX Flyover
Photo: Zach Dischner

Description

Berthoud Pass between I-70 and the major ski resort of Winter Park was itself once home to a small ski area. Situated right on top of the 11,307-foot mountain pass and rising high into the alpine, the small ski area received 500 inches of snow annually. First opened in 1937, the lifts shut down in 2001, and the entire resort was removed by 2005. (Source)

The lifts and base lodge have all been dismantled and the forest service is seeking to return Berthoud Pass to its natural environment, but the old ski runs still remain. Add in all of the epic above treeline bowls, steep chutes, and rugged cliff bands, and Berthoud Pass’s 500 inches of snow per year now draw in backcountry skiers from up and down Colorado’s Front Range. The area is now one of the most popular backcountry skiing destinations in the state, and maybe even the country.

Just because Berthoud is popular doesn’t mean it’s safe. This area can be very avalanche prone, so don’t relax your guard just because you see other people on the skin track. Make your own avy danger decisions, and ski within your ability and comfort zones.

While the entirety of Berthoud Pass is covered in epic backcountry lines, in this guidebook we’ve included a “best-of” playlist of some of the most iconic lines in the area. For a comprehensive map of Berthoud Pass, check out the "Berthoud Pass, Colorado Backcountry Skiing Map."

Sources: https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/snowsports/berthoud-survival-guide/ https://rootsrated.com/boulder-co/backcountry-skiing/berthoud-pass-backcountry-skiing https://boc123.com/berthoudpass/berthoudpass.cfm

Routes included

Hell's Half Acre

Hell's Half Acre

No-hike-necessary tree skiing on Hell's Half Acre.

Moderate Freeride Skiing

Distance
296 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
80 m

Floral Park

Floral Park

Tree skiing

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
1.1 km
Ascent
3 m
Descent
288 m

Southeast Russell

Southeast Russell

A steep face with cliffs and an icefall

Severe Ski Touring

Distance
889 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
311 m

The 90's - Outlaw

The 90's - Outlaw

450 feet of fun, consistent pitch with a small rock feature

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
375 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
143 m

The 90's - Launching Pad

The 90's - Launching Pad

500 feet of consistent pitch with fun cliffs and trees

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
222 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
86 m

The 90's - 90's

The 90's - 90's

450 feet of pure fun, consistent pitch with a small rock feature

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
282 m
Ascent
4 m
Descent
138 m

Rush 3

Rush 3

Rush 3: Steep cliffs with billy goating or big air potential

Severe Ski Touring

Distance
208 m
Ascent
3 m
Descent
105 m

Rush 2

Rush 2

Rush 2: Steep cliffs with billy goating or big air potential

Severe Ski Touring

Distance
198 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
103 m

Rush Chute

Rush Chute

Short, steep and narrow to get the adrenaline pumping.

Severe Ski Touring

Distance
199 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
106 m

East Side

East Side

Wide open, easy access skiing

Moderate Ski Touring

Distance
1 km
Ascent
3 m
Descent
110 m

The 90's - The Flume

The 90's - The Flume

500 feet of consistent pitch with a fun cliff option

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
414 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
146 m

The 80's

The 80's

300 feet of cliffs and good pitch

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
237 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
72 m

The 90's - Vigilante

The 90's - Vigilante

450 feet of fun, consistent pitch.

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
269 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
139 m

Current Creek Bowl

Current Creek Bowl

Wide open alpine

Difficult Ski Touring

Distance
2.5 km
Ascent
41 m
Descent
384 m
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