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Topher's Trees

Berthoud Pass

Winter Park

Winter Park Ski Area

A steep tightly gladed area with small cliffs and unexpected obstacles

Freeride Skiing Severe

Distance
588 m
Ascent
16 m
Descent
178 m
Low Point
3.1 km
High Point
3.2 km
Gradient
34˚
Topher's Trees Map

Topher’s Trees is a double-black area of tight trees between Trestle and Roundhouse, accessed by any of the upper Mary Jane lifts. The easiest way to get there is to take Trestle down to just before the first steep hill, and then take a right into the woods (you’ll see tracks). “Topher’s” drops into Corona Way at the end and traverses back to the base. Expect tight trees with some gullies and rock-drops. Depending on snow conditions, this could be the real deal for Extreme Heads. This “trail” was rated #1 best tree skiing area in Colorado by Westword magazine.

Description

Christopher “Topher” Sendroy was an employee at Ski Depot in Winter Park. He was a well-known local skier who disappeared during a huge St. Patrick’s Day snowstorm and was found dead in a tree well in this area. You can see Topher’s memorial plaque from the bottom of the run, looking up from Corona Way.

This area is seriously expert, and is best left alone until well into the winter. There are already mandatory airs and ollies in there, but when the snowpack is low, it's not worth wrecking your new board tune over. Beware on deep powder days! A young man died recently from an in-bounds avalanche in a gully here. Don't go into Topher's alone!

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Features

  • Trees
  • Cliffs

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area