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Long, easy access alpine.
Berthoud Pass, Colorado Backcountry Skiing Map
A comprehensive map of all the backcountry ski lines on Berthoud Pass.
Images
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.
This guidebook functions as a comprehensive map of essentially all of the backcountry ski lines on Berthoud Pass. If you’re looking for a shorter list of recommendations to narrow your search, check out “The Best Backcountry Ski Lines on Berthoud Pass” guidebook instead.
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
Adventures
Tree skiing
Some tight tree skiing
Wide open, easy access skiing
NW facing tree skiing with good pitch
North facing tree skiing
North-west facing tree skiing with good pitch
A North-west facing tree chute
A NW facing tree chute
A large, steep opening in the trees with multiple rock outcroppings
A long run down a slide-path
An alpine face with good pitch
A large cirque with a variety of short, steep descent options
Skiing from the eastern ridge of No Name
An aesthetic eastern aspect alpine line
A steep alpine cirque with small cliffs
A south facing alpine bowl
A steep face with cliffs and an icefall
The standard approach for anything on the west side.
The most popular Berthoud Pass alpine line
Slightly steeper and narrower than North Chute 1
The narrowest of the North Chutes
Wide open alpine
One of the easiest ways down from Hidden Knoll
Short, south facing pitches
A variety of small cliffs
Steep line with cliffs.
A variety of cliffs and pillows in the trees
A low-angle, wide chute
A steep, rocky pitch off Hidden Knoll
The skier's right rock chute off Hidden Knoll
The center rock chute off Hidden Knoll
Rock chute off of Hidden Knoll
The mellowest Route through the XYZ area
A north facing alpine bowl
The route in or out of Current Creek
A rocky, north aspect chute
Gentle Terrain to access the 80's, 90's, Hourglass Cliffs, Nelson's and Sam's
A wind scoured shot through trees
Wind scoured shot through trees
A tree-d slope into a rocky outcropping
A rock Chute
Another rocky chute near Berthoud Pass.
Rocky chute near Berthoud Pass.
500 feet of consistent pitch with a fun cliff option
500 feet of consistent pitch with fun cliffs and trees
450 feet of fun, consistent pitch with a small rock feature
450 feet of fun, consistent pitch.
450 feet of pure fun, consistent pitch with a small rock feature
Small features and fun terrain
300 feet of cliffs and good pitch
Access to north aspect lines in the Current Creek drainage
The most obvious route down when looking at the west side from the very top of the pass.
A great scouting route with the potential for deep turns.
A highly featured west side route.
A short, steep face with a big cliff.
Rush 3: Steep cliffs with billy goating or big air potential
Rush 2: Steep cliffs with billy goating or big air potential
Short, steep and narrow to get the adrenaline pumping.
An icon of Berthoud Pass
A classic Berthoud Pass route.
350 vertical feet of consistent, fun pitch.
Short and steeper tree skiing.
A classic Berthoud Pass cliff.
Wide open alpine
Short, steep, rocky chutes often guarded by cornices
A southerly alpine line
Glade skiing
Tree skiing in a small bowl
Mellow Glade Skiing
Glades with some cliffs
No-hike-necessary tree skiing on Hell's Half Acre.
A low-angle cut through the trees
No-hike-necessary tree skiing thanks to a shuttle on Berthoud Pass.
Some south facing glades
Mellow tree skiing.
Following the skin track back down.