Book Review: Backcountry Skiing Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

The east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, accessed from Estes Park, houses the premier ski mountaineering terrain of Colorado. Once the fierce winds of winter retreat, and the sticky spring snowstorms coat the mountains, the steep couloir hallways of “The Park” emerge. A lifetime of steep skiing is accessed from trailheads within 30 to 45 minutes of Estes Park. From the epicenter at Bear Lake, to the far off routes of Mount Ypsilon and Mount Alice, Mike Soucy provides solid beta and format perfect for route planning. 

How does the book compare to Mark Kelly’s antecedent 2013 guidebook “Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering in Rocky Mountain National Park”? You will find similar terrain while Mike's new book delves into the incomparable Never Summer Mountains on the west side of the park. Soucy’s book is published by Beacon Guidebooks, using the publisher’s classic atlas style. This approach emphasizes function, including a spiral bound collection of aerial photos of the mountains and routes. This means that photos, text descriptions, and maps are brief and to the point; emphasizing portability and usefulness in the field. Kelly’s book is thicker, with longer descriptions, history, and amazing ski mountaineering action photos. 

Speaking of photos, the aerial photos in Mike’s new book are stunning. In particular, the photos of Keplingers Couloir are some of the best pictures we have ever seen. This route has historically been hard to capture in photos. You may even find some of Mike’s photos in the original Kelly book. The maps in the book are small scale and good for planning, but not for navigation. This is where Beacon provides a separate map product, with a larger scale for more detail and use in the field. 

Mike Soucy is an IFMGA Mountain Guide who has been frequenting “The Park” for over 25 years. His experience on this world class rock and alpine climbing mecca translates into the ski guidebook. You can sense the passion that Mike has for this region, and for being a reliable and trusted resource for route beta. Get “Backcountry Skiing Rocky Mountain National Park” at the premier gear shops on the Front Range, or direct from the Beacon Guidebooks website. 

Book Review: Squeak! Goes Backcountry Skiing

Settle down with your children, and read them a story about the time Squeak the mouse goes backcountry skiing! Grandma Mouse tells her grandchildren a bedtime story about Squeak's winter life in the subnivean zone, under the snow. One day Squeak walks into a skier’s backpack and is taken on a backcountry snow adventure. Squeak meets other animals that teach her about backcountry skiing and snow safety.

Here is what we love about this book. First, and consistent with the theme of Beacon Guidebooks, it is an educational book. It is perfect for children to read and begin to learn about backcountry skiing and snow travel. Our child really liked it because she now understood more about what her parents are doing when they are backcountry skiing. Second, and spoiler alert here, we learn that Grandma Squeak was telling her grandchildren a story about her own adventures when she was younger. Special black and white iIllustrations of Grandma Squeak show her on skiing and climbing adventures in her youth. This is reminiscent of backcountry ski pioneers such as Dolores LaChapelle in the Colorado Mountains, and Betty Woolsey at Teton Pass in Wyoming. 

Squeak! Goes Backcountry Skiing is written by Scott Borden, and with illustrations by Mallory Logan. Mallory has also drawn illustrations for other Squeak adventure books. The book is published by Beacon Guidebooks, and is available on their website as well as on Amazon. A portion of proceeds benefits Protect our Winters. 

Book Review: Backcountry Skiing Cameron Pass

At Front Range Ski Mountaineering, we have had a multi-decade love affair with Cameron Pass. The backcountry skiing ski mountaineering at Cameron Pass have been highlighted on our website for nearly ten years. Why do we love it so much? Is it because of the deep snow pack? The expansive backcountry ski terrain gained through a variety of roadside trailheads, deep forest tours, and snowmobile access? The isolation from the rest of Colorado? Yes, to all of the above and many more reasons. Located 65 miles from Fort Collins up a windy and long canyon, “Cam Pass” gets a fair share of snow from northwest-trending storms that favor Steamboat. When the ‘Boat is having a good snow winter, so is Cameron Pass.

This is  also why we are excited to see this season’s release of “Backcountry Skiing Cameron Pass” by author Rodney Ley. We couldn’t think of anyone better than Rodney to educate you on the the gospel of Cameron Pass. He first skied Cameron Pass in 1972, and founded the Never Summer Nordic Yurt System in the Colorado State Forest. He was CAIC’s avalanche observer on Cameron Pass for several years as well. For 30 years Rodney was the director of the Outdoor Program at Colorado State University, further exploring the Cameron Pass region with the students. 

The book covers a great range of backcountry ski and snowboard opportunities. These include low-angle tours and terrain for safer winter skiing, all the way to steep mountain faces that are better saved for spring when the snow pack has consolidated. Rodney’s book also guides us through ski terrain in Colorado State Forest, where you can leverage the yurt system for overnight trips or hut-to-hut tours. 

You should get the book, so where can you buy it? Backcountry Skiing Cameron Pass” is available at the finest outdoor and mountaineering stores on Colorado’s Front Range, and also available online direct from Beacon Guidebooks.

Uphill Ski Access at Colorado's Front Range Ski Areas

Uphill Ski Access

Arapahoe Basin’s Grizzly Road to Pali Lift, and then up Cornice Run to the top yields beautiful sunrise and sunset views!

Holy cow it has been at least 5 years since we last talked about uphill access at Front Range ski resorts! Perusing the old Front Range Ski Mountaineering blog shows an article on Loveland in 2015, and Arapahoe Basin in 2016. Along with Winter Park and possibly Keystone, these were the only Front Range resorts allowed uphill at the time. Uphill access at both Loveland and the Basin have changed significantly since then, as well as the options at other resorts. What has changed since then? Let's dive into what the vibe is now, and what each resort is offering. 

What is the status of uphill access on the Front Range now? All ski areas on Colorado’s Front Range offer some form of uphill access. Some resorts have fully embraced it, and some begrudgingly allow it. In 2016 access was free, and now nearly all the resorts require payment via an uphill season pass or day ticket. Hey, that makes sense as we are using resort assets such as access to National Forest via private land, parking lots, grooming, and ski patrol. Several resorts offer free or discounted uphill passes to season pass holders. Most resorts that charge for an uphill season pass donate a portion of the proceeds to a good cause. In 2016, several resorts allowed access on multiple routes during operating hours, and now many do not. This change makes less sense, but managing inherent conflicts between an increasing number of uphill users and thousands of downhill users on a daily basis is not where some ski resorts want to focus their energy for a return on investment. In summary, uphill access is available at all of the Front Range resorts, but it will cost you money and you most likely need to be off of their hill by 8:30 AM. 

Arapahoe Basin

The uphill scene at A-Basin has exploded in the past five years, and the Legend is a favorite for both Front Range and Summit County residents. Show up between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM on any morning above 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and you will probably count at least 50 uphillers on route. The resort has historically been the regional leader for uphill access, and continues to lead by making a variety of terrain available for uphill access, as well as hosting the Rise and Shine Rando race series early during winter mornings, and the Alpenglow Ascents Rando race series during spring afternoons. In December 2021, Arapahoe Basin hosted the United States Ski Mountaineering Association’s world team qualifier races. There is immense diversity in uphill and downhill options before and after operational hours; mix and match laps on the open green or blue routes on the frontside.

Every uphill user must have and present an uphill access pass. Passes are $79 for the 2021-22 season, and $10 from each pass is donated to the National Forest Foundation. The uphill pass is free to A-Basin season passholders. Uphill access is allowed during operational hours, but only via the dedicated route on the eastern edge of High Noon (check the resort terrain page for closure status). Please check the resort’s uphill access policy and terrain status, as uphill access can close at any time.


Snowplume Refuge at the top of the mountain is no longer open to uphill users. In the past, this building was open 24x7 providing a safe haven during the normal summit windstorm to fold skins and layer up. Some uphillers were enjoying morning mimosas in the Refuge as the morning sun rose over the ridge. Now, it is the site of the expanded Il Rifugio at Snow Plume restaurant. News flash! According to A-Basin’s website, the new Steilhang Hut, located at the top of the popular Dercum’s Gulch uphill route, will serve as a warming hut outside of operating hours. Once open, “uphill traffic will be welcome to use the bathroom and rest on their journey to the summit.” Post publishing note: This spectacular hut opened for business on April 21, 2022!

Loveland Ski Area

As Arapahoe Basin has embraced and encouraged uphill access, Loveland has seemingly reduced uphill access opportunities year after year. When we wrote about Loveland uphill access in 2015, one could freely access two uphill route options during operating hours, including the awesome “B” route to the top of Chair 9 at 12,700’ elevation. Maybe sneak even higher up the hiking terrain to the 13,010’ summit of Golden Bear? Now Loveland restricts uphill access to only the “A” route to Ptarmigan Roost, and they want you off the mountain by 8:00 AM. For the past several seasons, Loveland has required that users acquire a free uphill pass for access. New to the 2021-22 season, the ski area is charging $50 for the uphill access pass. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Alpine Rescue Team and the National Forest Foundation. The uphill pass is free for season pass holders, but you still need to fill out the waiver and pick up the pass. See Loveland’s uphill access policy at the ski area’s website.

Can you blame Loveland for these increasing restrictions? Rumor has it that many uphillers were taking advantage of Loveland’s operating hours generosity by climbing to the upper lifts, and boarding the chairlifts without paying. When the Covid-19 shelter in place orders were implemented in the spring of 2021, Loveland turned into an uphill shit show. Again, the ski area generously offered access to uphill users, while being forced by the State of Colorado to cease all other operations. Parked cars clogged Highway 6 up Loveland Pass to access the ski area, including parking under the Seven Sisters avalanche chutes. Not only did the ski area commence with closing uphill access for the remainder of the season, but CDOT was then inspired to block the trailheads on Loveland Pass to close off all backcountry access.


Along with Eldora, Loveland seems to be the best positioned ski area to leverage the popularity of uphill skiing on the Front Range. Loveland’s special use permit area is expansive including Dry Gulch and Mount Trelease. Loveland was poised to open cat skiing in Upper Dry Gulch, but Covid regulations shut this down during the 2020-21 season. Hopefully they can get the cat skiing going this season. Having access to Mount Trelease looks like an opportunity to monetize the huge backcountry ski population 50 miles away from Loveland. Instead of driving from the Front Range past Kremmling, perhaps a Bluebird Backcountry-style ski area and avalanche education center on Mount Trelease operated by Loveland? See what Bolton Valley in Vermont is doing with its Backcountry Program accessing terrain from the ski area.

Winter Park

Winter Park, along with Arapahoe Basin, has been leading the charge for uphill access fun for many years now. Once uphill access is fully open, the resort offers a huge selection of uphill routes during operational hours. Winter Park divides its expansive terrain into seven “territories”, and four of these are open to uphill access. This includes many open trails in the Winter Park Territory, Mary Jane Territory, Parsenn Bowl, and Vasquez Ridge Territory. You will want to check the resort’s uphill policy to note the ski runs that are not accessible, as well as for any other exceptions. Once the resort shutters for the ski season, they keep a small collection open for uphill and downhill access which is a great benefit for Grand County locals looking to stay in shape while the snow melts.

Winter Park’s required 2021-22 uphill access armband costs $25 and all proceeds from sales benefit local non-profit organizations including Grand County Search & Rescue, Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment dog teams, and Friends of Berthoud Pass. According to the resort’s website, they raised $40,000 for Grand County Search & Rescue during the 2020-21 season! The uphill access fund raising machine and the copious access make Winter Park a great uphill location. The only negative we can think of is that Winter Park uphill access works best if you ski the resort frequently, or you are a Grand County resident. Otherwise it is hard to drive over and past the epic backcountry terrain of Berthoud Pass to go uphill at the resort during the day, and constantly be under the line of fire of seemingly out of control skiers.

Eldora

Eldora is the closest ski area to Boulder. Given that most residents of Boulder are elite athletes in at least three sports, they can accomplish their winter trifecta by excelling at nordic skiing, downhill skiing, and alpine touring at Eldora then head down to Boulder for a triathlon in the afternoon. 

An uphill pass or ticket is required, and Eldora charges for both. The good news is that they have both day pass and season pass options! The bad news is that it may require an advanced degree to understand the ski resort’s uphill access policies. Be prepared for a quiz after this summary! Uphill access season pass holders get ‘early access’ Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and access five days a week during business hours. Uphill day tickets are good for a single-day access Monday through Friday, but only during business hours. There are two uphill routes during operating hours: Frontside Route and Backside Route. But wait, there is a different route and parking for the season pass early access days! Eldora even has a scanning pedestal for the Early Access Route.

Despite all of the rules, it is impressive that Eldora allows uphill during the day, and with a variety of routes. We hope this approach catches on with other areas that are in close proximity to the Front Range’s population. It certainly requires a pricier season pass ($99 or $199), but if you are in the Boulder area you could climb on a weekday to 9:00 AM and be at work shortly afterwards, or get a few laps during the afternoon before the winter’s darkness sets in.  


Echo Mountain

Echo Mountain is only 36 miles from Denver, and located above Evergreen. The ski area may or may not have uphill access. We haven’t been there so we are not sure. On the Echo Mountain website there is no direct access to a web page describing uphill access, but a Google search for “Echo Mountain uphill access” or a simple Google search for “Echo Mountain” will take you to the ski area’s uphill access policy. Given that there are bulleted line items on the web page in ‘strikethrough’ font, this may be a web page under construction or hidden. Regardless, uphill access at Echo Mountain is closed as of this article’s publishing date. It appears that when Echo is ready to open uphill access, there is a $20 day use uphill access pass. There are two designated uphill route options. Combine this variety with proximity to Denver, and this looks like it could be a lot of fun! A bonus is that you park at the top of the ski area so you can get in one last uphill at the end of the day! Have you been to Echo Mountain uphill? If so, let us know in the comments.

Keystone

Keystone Resort has been consistently allowing uphill access on the front side of the mountain for years now. The challenge has been how to find out any information on where and when you can uphill access at Keystone. The information has always been right at your fingertips on the resort’s incredibly mobile phone-unfriendly ‘Mountain Info’ page. Hidden in the ‘Please Select’ dropdown is the uphill access information, including a habit of not telling you what the designated uphill routes are. Keystone also has historically provided an uphill access phone number hotline to call as well. The hosts of this hotline would frequently record an entertaining rendition of the day’s uphill access status, and also routinely not state which are the designated uphill routes. News flash! For the 2021-22 season, Keystone has provided a picture image of designated uphill routes on the uphill access web page. Perhaps all these years of no information we were going up the wrong way? 

This is all good news, thank you Keystone! The resort has two uphill routes, one starting at River Run and the other at Mountain House. The routes converge to ascend Springdipper all the way to Dercum Summit. This is a nearly 2,400’ climb from the base to the top! The resort does not charge you for uphill access, but they do want you down before operating hours. Additionally, no uphilling while lifts are running, and this includes when Keystone is operating night skiing. Wait, Keystone has ski runs lit up for night skiing? Isn’t that ridiculously cold? Wouldn’t it be warmer to allow night uphill access on some of these runs? Hmmm, seems like a great opportunity that might get more users on the hill than downhill night skiing.

Want to do some inbounds backcountry? Pony up for a Keystone lift ticket and hike the terrain accessed from North Peak and The Outback. For years, Keystone has provided this great experience in the bowls above the top of these lifts, including groomed tracks that expedite skinning over hiking. Bergman Bowl is now the USFS-approved target for a 2022-23 chairlift expanding access to Independence Bowl and Erickson Bowl. Independence Bowl holds the resort’s cat skiing, but also a groomed uptrack and a skin track exiting the bowl. 

Summary

There is great variety of uphill opportunities at Colorado’ Front Range ski areas. From skinning during the day at Eldora, to accessing the vast terrain of Winter Park, there are plenty of routes to keep a skimo racer or recreational uphiller busy for years. Do you want additional insights on resort light tours? See our previous article on Lou Dawson’s “Light Tours of Colorado” featuring many resort and mellow backcountry ski tours.


Book Review: Light Tours of Colorado

The godfather of Colorado backcountry touring and ski mountaineering, Lou Dawson, has returned with the second edition of Light Tours of Colorado. “Focusing on the mellow side of ski touring”, Lou does a great public service by combining copious new routes with the inspiration for us to discover even more. What are light tours? Dawson defines these as “routes with enough pitch for making turns, but generally of low enough angle to obviate most avalanche danger.” Many thanks to Lou for giving us the low-angle concept and the vision to adjust our expectations to pursue easier and safer tours.

Light Tours of Colorado comes in Beacon’s portable and graphical format that is easily carried in your pack.

Light Tours of Colorado is published by Beacon Guidebooks. Beacon’s portable spiral bound books have a familiar feel, and consistently and graphically present terrain beta across a series of diverse backcountry ski guide books. In particular, Beacon’s adherence to describing terrain using Parks Canada’s Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) is both a useful tool and also at the core of this book describing low-angle backcountry skiing. ATES divides the described ski terrain into three categories of avalanche exposure complexity: Simple (ATES 1), Challenging (ATES 2), and Complex (ATES 3). Each category is colored coded by Beacon with ATES 1 being green, ATES 2 blue, and ATES 3 black. This is a planning tool to identify avalanche terrain and does not translate to ski area difficulty. The majority of the ski terrain described in Light Tours of Colorado rates as ATES 1 Simple. This type of terrain is lower angle and primarily forested terrain with many options to reduce or eliminate exposure to avalanche hazards.

Lou Dawson presents many local options for the Front Range backcountry tourer. Selected light tours and resort uphilling range from Hoosier Pass and Bald Mountain in the south, to Butler Gulch and Caribou in the central range, to Hidden Valley and Montgomery Pass in the north. This is just the tip of the iceberg of Front Range light tour potential, and Dawson’s guide serves as an inspiration to go out and explore more low angle terrain. What similar aspects and elevations have this potential? Our collective focus is often on avalanche terrain, and we may be ignoring all of the sustainable, low-angle skiing in between. 

The majority of the ski terrain described in Light Tours of Colorado rates as ATES 1 Simple. This type of terrain is lower angle and primarily forested terrain with many options to reduce or eliminate exposure to avalanche hazards.

The book is not limited to the Front Range, and Dawson presents a sampling of opportunity throughout the great ranges of Colorado. One benefit of this book is to use it as a guide for breaking up a long-distance drive across Colorado in the winter. Headed to Crested Butte or Telluride? How about a stop at Monarch for a quick tour up the old Monarch Pass road, and then back into the car for the rest of the drive? Similar to the inspiration to seek new low-angle terrain on the Front Range, this book presents a different way to look at enjoying your journey on the way to your Colorado destination. 

Want to get out for some light tours? Yes you do. Get your copy of Light Tours of Colorado at the leading backcountry ski shops on the Front Range, or order directly from Beacon’s website. Do you want to access this on your mobile phone? Download the Rakkup app and purchase the digital version within Rakkup’s library.



Backcountry Skiing Loveland Pass

In a Denver Post Article, MacKenzie Ryan labelled Loveland Pass as “one of the best worst-kept secrets in backcountry skiing.” Skiers and snowboarders have cemented Loveland Pass’s reputation as a backcountry destination by driving up and skiing down for nearly one hundred years. Explorers went deeper into the basins surrounding the Pass, leading to mechanical rope tows in the 1930s. Loveland Ski Area opened on the north side of the pass in 1936, and Arapahoe Basin began operations on the south side in 1946. In the 1980s and 1990s, snowboarders pioneered jumps on descents like Main Line and Ironing Board long before terrain parks existed at ski resorts. Fast forward to today, and you can find a full terrain park here, including kickers and rails. Many Front Range and Summit County sliders had their first backcountry experience at Loveland Pass.

Most folks view the Loveland Pass backcountry as simply the drop-in terrain at the top of the Pass. This backcountry ski guidebook presents the opportunity to go beyond the hustle and bustle of Loveland Pass. From Watrous Gulch to Porcupine Gulch, we follow US Highway 6 as it climbs dramatically to 11,990 feet; providing trailhead access to glacial valleys holding a lifetime of winter backcountry exploration. The guidebook terrain ranges from all day ski adventures in Dry Gulch and Herman Gulch, to a new perspective on how to use the Pass’s hitchhiking resources to access valleys not visible from the Highway. Our focus is winter skiing, and we also include a sample of ski mountaineering on thirteen thousand foot peaks directly accessible from Highway 6. The onset of spring and a stabilizing snow pack lures skiers into the high alpine to seek famous descents such as Dave’s Wave and the notorious Shit for Brains couloir.

MacKenzie Ryan was right, Loveland Pass is one of the best worst-kept secrets in backcountry skiing. Embrace the craziness of the Pass, and become part of the history of Colorado backcountry skiing. Have fun, but keep it real in avalanche terrain. This zone is the target of online forum rants about reckless backcountry skiing, and even the subject of a study quantifying the lack of safety gear present in the Pass’s backcountry user population. You and your friends need to bring avalanche equipment, training, and the mentality for safety to ensure a great experience at Loveland Pass.

Climb higher, ski farther, and shred deeper pow! The creators of Front Range Ski Mountaineering have teamed up with Beacon Guidebooks and Rakkup to put Loveland Pass backcountry ski beta in your hands! Backcountry Skiing Loveland Pass Guidebook is now available as an app on Rakkup, and as a topographic map from Beacon Guidebooks. Order the book and map now at Beacon Guidebooks or download and purchase the app at Rakkup.

Cresting the Continental Divide at 11990 feet Loveland Pass is between Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Areas.

Cresting the Continental Divide at 11990 feet Loveland Pass is between Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Areas.

Ski touring up Herman Gulch.

Ski touring up Herman Gulch.

Dropping into the Rose Garden in Herman Gulch

Dropping into the Rose Garden in Herman Gulch

Loveland Pass Guidebook Just Released!

Climb higher, ski farther, and shred deeper pow! The creators of Front Range Ski Mountaineering have teamed up with Beacon Guidebooks and Rakkup to put Loveland Pass backcountry ski beta in your hands! Backcountry Skiing Loveland Pass Guidebook is now available as an app on Rakkup, and as a topographic map from Beacon Guidebooks. Order the book and map now at Beacon Guidebooks or download and purchase the app at Rakkup.

Do you like to use your phone or tablet? Rakkup app allows users to purchase and save the Loveland Pass Guidebook to your smart device. Once downloaded, the books are available offline. Loveland Pass is then linked to the GPS mapping system, with zoomable topo maps, detailed route descriptions, terrain filters, and a searchable descent list. Download the Rakkup for free on Apple’s App Store or Google Play, then select Loveland Pass for purchase and download.

Beacon Guidebook’s Backcountry Ski Map Series is the perfect print guide for Loveland Pass. The Loveland Pass Ski Map is waterproof, tear-proof topographic map, designed to join you on your tour. It shows runs, skintracks, slope angles, ATES rating, parking, trailheads and more.

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Topher Straus: The Parks, Free Opening Reception July 18 at the American Mountaineering Museum

Topher Straus(above) next to his piece: “Denali National Park"

Topher Straus(above) next to his piece: “Denali National Park"

GOLDEN, Colo., June 6, 2019 -- The American Mountaineering Museum (AMM) in Golden, Colorado is the first and only museum in the nation dedicated to mountaineering history. Since its founding in February 2008, the museum has pioneered a new approach to interpreting knowledge about mountains and educating people on mountaineering history, safety, and mountain culture. Artist Topher Straus cultivated his love of the outdoors in his native Colorado and has been recently hard at work in his Golden studio creating an innovative series of paintings highlighting U.S National Parks. Given the natural connection of subject matter and as an active supporter of their local community, the museum is pleased to feature these works in a solo exhibition, Topher Straus: The Parks.

The public is invited to a free opening reception at the museum 710 10th St. in Golden on Thursday July 18 from 6-9 pm. Attendees will enjoy drinks, nibbles and chance to meet the artist. The exhibit will be on view through September 30th, 2019 during regular museum hours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10-4 pm, Wednesdays 10-6 pm and Saturdays 12-5pm. Adult admission is $7.

Inspired by his own exploration of the outdoors and a strong desire for continued preservation, Straus' large-scale paintings take an original approach to depicting iconic national park landscapes around the United States. He is proud to show his work in the area that his fostered life-long connection to nature. His process blends photography with digital painting, with the final image printed onto large sheets of aluminum and finished off with a high-gloss transparent acrylic resin finish. The results are dynamic abstractions of familiar park scenery that pop with color. Michael Paglia, Art Critic for Denver's Westword recently reviewed this series with the following observations:

"Given the high-tech methods and the semi-gloss surfaces, the result could be too slick and commercial, but the expressionistic handling of the outlined forms prevents that. The landscapes are simplified and conventionalized abstractions of the views and have a retro-cubist quality, along with a dash of Yellow Submarine." 

Colorado native Topher Straus left the state to attend Syracuse University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Art. He pursued a career in documentary, narrative films and advertising that took him to Los Angeles and later, New Zealand. Upon returning to Denver in 2012, he shifted gears and began fervently working in his studio as a full-time artist, quickly landing his first solo exhibit. His second solo show, The Parks, was featured at Niza Knoll Gallery early in 2019. He is an active, enthusiastic promoter of his own work and the art community as a whole. Follow Topher on Instagram @CreativeTopher and his website at TopherStraus.com

The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum seeks to preserve the history and spirit of mountaineering, to educate visitors on mountain culture and the sport of mountaineering, and to inspire in the modern climber a greater appreciation for climbing history. Known as the nation's foremost destination to experience and research mountain history, the museum's unparalleled and varied collection offers a comprehensive field view.  For more information visit http://www.mountaineeringmuseum.org

“Zion National Park” by Topher Straus

“Zion National Park” by Topher Straus

Backcountry Skiing Berthoud Pass - by Rob Writz

Looking north from Berthoud Pass at dawn.

Looking north from Berthoud Pass at dawn.

I have lost track of how many sunrises I have seen from Berthoud Pass. This means that I have also lost count of how many dawn patrols I have had at the Pass over the years. I don’t revel in the sub-zero and pitch black starts, but the day job and family schedule dictate these early mornings. When the sun rises over the Continental Divide it sheds just enough light on the surrounding terrain. From the top of the West Side you can see the Indian Peaks to the north, and the Mount Evans Wilderness to the south. The quick access and the deep snow of Berthoud Pass provide a solace from the harsh morning, and it is the camaraderie of the skiers in the parking lot that brings the warmth. Berthoud Pass is close enough to Denver to justify several laps and then a harrowing drive down I-70 to work. I often joke that after safely navigating the hazards of backcountry skiing, the most dangerous part may be the drive back.

My grandfather, Jack Molthop, at Berthoud Pass in 1949.

My grandfather, Jack Molthop, at Berthoud Pass in 1949.

Backcountry skiers have been exploring Berthoud Pass for nearly one hundred years. Cars would shuttle skiers to the top of the Pass, and the pick them up at the bottom. Fast-forward to today and you can find hitchhikers on any given day at a number of trailheads. Those who are generous enough to pull over and give a hitchhiking brother or sister a ride to the top are then blessed with good karma enshrined in the history and tradition of skiing the Pass. 

Looking up at the West Side of Berthoud Pass in 1949.

Looking up at the West Side of Berthoud Pass in 1949.

Berthoud Pass also has a rich lift access history. Berthoud Pass Ski Area operated discontinuously from 1937 to 2003. It was the first ski area in Colorado with a rope tow, the first two-person chair lift, and the first to allow snowboarding. The ski area also pioneered big mountain competitions in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Quick access, a consistent snowpack, and endless discovery continue to draw backcountry skiers to Berthoud Pass. The east to west orientation of the Pass, located high above the Fraser River and Clear Creek valleys, attracts a deep snowpack benefiting from both northwest flow and upslope storms. In just over an hour drive from Denver, backcountry skiers have access to numerous trailheads leading into the high basins surrounding the Pass. From pre-work dawn patrols, to car shuttling, to all day epics, Berthoud Pass has an adventure for backcountry riders of all skill levels. This is why I love to ski here. I hope to see you in the Pass parking lot enjoying the dawn patrol as much as I do.

Backcountry Skiing Berthoud Pass is now available as a book and an app. Front Range Ski Mountaineering has teamed up with Beacon Guidebooks and Rakkup to put Berthoud Pass beta in your hands! Order the book now at Beacon Guidebooks or download and purchase the app at Rakkup. Do you want the book in your hands even sooner? Join us at these fun Front Range events to buy the book and learn about the Pass!

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Presentation and Screening of “Abandoned” by The Road West Traveled | November 28 | REI | Denver | More Info & Registration

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Author Presentation | December 19 | Bent Gate Mountaineering | Golden | More Info & Registration

Scott Krueger skiing the X Bowls on Hidden Knoll.

Scott Krueger skiing the X Bowls on Hidden Knoll.

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Just Released!

Climb higher, ski farther, and shred deeper pow! Backcountry Skiing Berthoud Pass is now available as a book and an app. The creators of Front Range Ski Mountaineering have teamed up with Beacon Guidebooks and Rakkup to put Berthoud Pass beta in your hands! Book pre-orders are available now at Beacon Guidebooks, or download and purchase the app at Rakkup.

Want the book in your hands even sooner? Join us at these fun Front Range events to buy the book and learn about the Pass!

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Release Party | November 13 | Neptune Mountaineering | Boulder | More Info & Registration

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Presentation featuring Rob Writz | November 28 | REI | Denver | More Info & Registration

Berthoud Pass Guidebook Author Presentation | December 19 | Bent Gate Mountaineering | Golden | More Info & Registration

The amazing cover photo is by Thomas Woodson: https://thomaswoodson.com

The amazing cover photo is by Thomas Woodson: https://thomaswoodson.com

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Beacon Guidebook’s Off-Piste Ski Atlas is the perfect photographic guidebook for backcountry skiing Berthoud Pass. This portable book offers a detailed map of the Pass, aerial photographs of each zone,  and graphical keys designed to give the you the most pertinent information for riding the Pass safely and wisely. The guidebook is light, compact, and durable enough to take with you on your adventures.

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The Rakkup app allows users to purchase and save the Berthoud Pass guidebook to your smart device. Once downloaded, the book is available online. Berthoud Pass is then linked to the GPS mapping system, zoomable topo maps, detailed route descriptions, and a searchable descent list. Download the Rakkup for free on Apple’s App Store or Google Play, then select Berthoud Pass for purchase and download.

Snowy Range Pass and Medicine Bow Peak

This last weekend the Front Range Ski Mountaineering R&D team rolled up to southeast Wyoming for a quick trip to Medicine Bow Peak and Snowy Range Pass. Wyoming Highway 130 becomes Snowy Range Scenic Byway as it climbs from the high plains west of Laramie and up the eastern flank of the Medicine Bow Range. The Medicine Bow Range is the northern rampart of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and it runs for nearly100 miles from Cameron Pass in Colorado to Elk Mountain in Carbon County Wyoming. 

Snowy Range is the cluster of high peaks that rise above the forested ridges of the northern Medicine Bow range. The Snowies are visible from the Laramie area and the drive west on Highway 130. Medicine Bow Peak and Browns Peak make up the bulk of the Range’s skyline visible from the east. 

Given that this range is the furthest north extension of the Front Range it can hold snow longer into the summer, and have consistent freezes each spring night. Highway 130 remains closed all winter, and it takes a significant effort by the Wyoming Department of Transportation to clear the road in time for Memorial Day each year. Snowy Range’s high road access puts the pass on par with the other spring ski roads further south along the Front Range. This includes Trail Ridge Road, Mount Evans Road, and Pikes Peak. The advantage that goes to the Snowies is direct access to a lineup of couloirs running north from the highway and several vantage points for miles. Additionally, the Snowies are at a lower altitude, but a higher latitude thus providing those consistent solid freeze nights and thawing days. Look to the Snowies each spring for high road access ski and snowboard mountaineering. 

This weekend we were able to quickly access snow near the highway and travel on snow from north of the Libby Flats Overlook, the pullout on the first switchback north of the pass, and Lake Marie. The Sugarloaf Campground road, leading to Libby and Lewis Lakes, was still closed right up to the highway. 

Here are photos showing the state of the couloirs, chutes, and faces of Medicine Bow Peak and Browns Peak on Sunday, June 3 2018. 

 

The full view of Medicine Bow Peak from the overlook on Highway 130.

The full view of Medicine Bow Peak from the overlook on Highway 130.

Looking at Old Main and the surrounding couloirs from the pass between Sugarloaf Mountain and Medicine Bow Peak.

Looking at Old Main and the surrounding couloirs from the pass between Sugarloaf Mountain and Medicine Bow Peak.

Looking up at the East Ridge and couloirs from Klondike Lake.

Looking up at the East Ridge and couloirs from Klondike Lake.

The Marie Couloirs directly above the highway and Lake Marie.

The Marie Couloirs directly above the highway and Lake Marie.

Conditions Update May 20, 2018

We sent the Front Range Ski Mountaineering R&D team into the hills this week to explore a unique corner of the Southern Front Range. All conditions were a “Go” including a solid overnight freeze, clear skies, a dry road to the trailhead, and a manageable battle through the May punch at the bottom. The May punch is the shallow snow between 10,500’ and 11,500’ feet that is frozen solid in the morning and slushy during the exit. It is too spotty to ski or skin on the descent. You just gotta punch through it until the exit onto a trail, road, or dry forest bed. 

Whale Peak and Bullion Benchmark are two high peaks that provide a great view to preview conditions in the Ten Mile Range, Southern Front Range, Montezuma, Chihuahua Gulch, and the west side of the Mount Evans Wilderness. Below is a series of photos taken from Bullion Benchmark and Wale Peak. A shot of the west side of the Mount Evans Wilderness is not included because there is really nothing to note as the west side of the peaks are almost totally void of snow.

 

Looking west to Mount Guyot (foreground) and the east side of Baldy in Summit County.

Looking west to Mount Guyot (foreground) and the east side of Baldy in Summit County.

Looking west to the Ten Mile Range. Looks like plenty of snow above tree line!

Looking west to the Ten Mile Range. Looks like plenty of snow above tree line!

Looking north to Chihuahua Gulch, Grays & Torreys Peaks, and the mountains above Montezuma.

Looking north to Chihuahua Gulch, Grays & Torreys Peaks, and the mountains above Montezuma.

Denver Startup Week: Adventure in the Information Age

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On September 28 I had the privilege to contribute to the Denver Startup Week Panel “Adventure in the Information Age”. The premise of the panel was to discuss how we develop products for the outdoors that balance the line of inspiration and safety without crossing the threshold of ruining the very essence of adventure itself. There is a limitless supply of information online, and how do we as technologists build products to balance the needs on both sides of the spectrum.

I was really excited to receive Matt Doyle’s invitation to participate.  Matt is Head of North America at FATMAP. FATMAP is pushing the bounds of how we digitally view and inform outdoor recreation with three-dimensional renderings curated by leading adventure guides from around the world. Matt partnered with Skippy Mesirow to define and moderate the panel. Skippy is a renowned skier and an entrepreneurial resident of Aspen. Tom Robson is the Manager of Trail Content for the Adventure Projects division of REI including Mountain Project and Powder Project. Tom provided views from the product development perspective. Jayson Simon-Jones and Russell Hunter of Colorado Mountain School rounded out the panel, and they provided the climbing guide perspective.

There were many questions posed to us by both Skippy and the audience ranging from “what does wilderness mean to you” to “curated content vs. user generated content” to “how to increase the presence of women in guiding, recreation, and tech” to “what is the line where there is too much information”.

All panelists agreed that wilderness is a state of mind, and that the experience that each person seeks is unique to the individual. Jayson and Russell provided excellent insights into CMS and AMGA programs encouraging the development of women in guiding, and also how the USA has a higher mount of professional female guides than Europe as a percentage of total guides. We also had an in-depth discussion on how directions available online are ultimately one of many tools someone can use, but it is ultimately up to the individual to never substitute information technology for common sense, outdoor skills, and self-reliability.

A question that I had to address was how did I make the decision to publish the information on Front Range Ski Mountaineering, despite the activities described on the site being inherently dangerous. This website was originally focused on spring ski mountaineering. This is certainly a dangerous activity, but one that I considered to have risks that are more predictable and addressable than winter backcountry skiing. My first assumption was that most users of a ski mountaineering guide had some backcountry experience as they probably progressed from resort skiing to “side country”, and then to backcountry. The typical user would be one who may have a mix of alpine climbing and skiing background.

As Front Range Ski Mountaineering gained in popularity I had many requests to publish information on the winter backcountry skiing in the region. I resisted this for some time as I consider winter backcountry to be far more risky and dangerous than spring skiing on a consolidated and predictable isothermal snow pack. The persistent weak layers in the continental snow pack are a dangerous place to play.

I stayed focused on the ski mountaineering guide until a trip to Cameron Pass. I had been skiing at Cameron Pass for many years and I consider it to have the most volatile winter snow pack on the Front Range. Over the years I have seen the chutes of Seven Utes Mountain and South Diamond Peak slide in catastrophic fashion. They slide many times, every year, and sometimes wall to wall and tumble all the way to the valley below. On this trip I was across the valley from South Diamond Peak and watched a long line of skiers climbing directly in the avalanche paths and in the guts of the most likely trigger zones. It was at that moment that I decided that, despite the risk of promoting more backcountry use, I would publish Front Range winter backcountry locations with the hope that the information can be used in an educational manner to reduce future accidents. The historical knowledge that I have accumulated over 20 years in this area can be useful for promoting safer recreation.

Since I published the winter information the popularity of the website ramped up dramatically. I have received many positive messages from users with comments ranging from their thanks for pointing out lower angle terrain for safer mid-winter fun, to gratitude for capturing historical information such as the potential for South Diamond Peak to avalanche all the way to the trailhead.

The opportunity to participate on the panel was exciting. I had not realized how many people were interested in hearing what I had to say on these topics, and I am thankful to Matt and Skippy for letting me be a part of a great gathering and dialogue on many interesting topics at the intersection of information technology and recreation.

Be safe!

Rob Writz

Uphill Skiing at Jones Pass

Uphill skiing at ski resorts on the Front Range has historically been limited to Winter Park, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin. Each resort has uphill pros and cons, and the cons can influence us to look for an uphill jaunt that is not as far away from Denver. It is hard to stomach driving past the awesome terrain at Berthoud Pass to skin uphill at Winter Park Resort. Arapahoe Basin can be a haul, especially if you have to fit a tour in the window of the Basin’s allowable uphill time between resort operating hours and the start of your job. Loveland offers uphill skiing on two designated routes during most times, and these can get boring after awhile. This year, Eldora opened to uphill skiing but with restricted access times and costs. This works if you live in Boulder and Nederland, but nowhere else.

An alternative to the resort skinning is Jones Pass. The snowmobiles and the Powder Addiction snow cats carve out the high roads all winter long. The pitch of each road is never too steep, and Powder Addictions has done a great job of establishing a network of roads in the Jones Pass and West Fork of Clear Creek.

The hardpack feel of skinning up these roads is similar to the ski area, but the avalanche and terrain hazards are not not. Keep in mind that traveling in the Jones Pass area includes travel through avalanche terrain. The snow slide hazards start just up the road from the trailhead as you pass the Jones Brothers chutes and continue through out the tour. Come prepared with snow safety equipment, a good read and awareness of the CAIC weather forecast and snowpack observations, a level head, and the humbleness to turn around if conditions are not optimal.

We should all give a special thanks to Powder Addictions. Snowmobiling and backcountry skiing have preceded the cat skiing in this area by decades, but the dedicated work of the Powder Addictions team has resulted in a packed road network available all winter. If you see the snow cat on the roads, politely move out of the way, wave, and say thanks for packing the trail and clearing the trees!

The two main up-tracks at Jones Pass lead to the Jones Pass Bowl and the West Fork of Clear Creek. There is a high saddle between Point 12,118 and Point 12,673 that can be used to connect Jones Pass and West Fork bowls.  

Jones Pass Road climbs steadily through avalanche terrain to the high basins below Jones Pass and Bobtail Peak. The road climbs gently for about a mile before swinging west through forested avalanche terrain below Point 12,118’s south side. At tree line you may find that Powder Addiction has established several diverging road paths. The most commonly used are a short eastern path towards Solar Bowl and Jones Trees, a direct path to approximately 12,200’ between Bobtail Benchmark and Point 12,673, the path of Jones Pass Road to over 12,000’, and possibly a path into Jones Pass Bowl. You can find more directions and pictures of Jones Pass Road on our Jones Pass page.

Jones Pass Summary:

Length: 2.77 miles

Vertical Gain: 1,800’

Nearing the top of the track below Bobtail Benchmark and Point 12,673. Skier: Jim Parker

West Fork of Clear Creek follows the start of the Jones Pass route and the splits to the north after about eight tenths of a mile at the clearing below Point 12,118. Continue north following the snow cat or snowmobile trails. You will pass below several large avalanche paths descending from the north side of Point 12,118. Continue into the large open bowl of the West Fork. The snow cat track continues northwest in the bowl, and then climbs steeply and terminates at a knoll above twelve thousand feet below Point 12,666. You can find more directions and pictures of West Fork Bowl on our Jones Pass page.

West Fork Bowl Summary:

Length: 2.7 miles

Vertical Gain: 1,700’

 

 

High up in the West Fork Bowl. Skier: Mary Writz

Conditions Update June 10, 2016

We were able to get up high and have several views of the Interstate 70 corridor and James Peak Wilderness. Here is what we found!

Stevens Gulch: Many lines on the North Face of Mount Edwards are intact. The slopes of Grays Peak look like they could be connected from near the summit to the Torreys saddle. Lost Rat Couloir is still in one piece. The grand face of Torreys Peak including Dead Dog Couloir, East Face Direct, and South Paw looks good. Dead Dog has a runnel formed in the middle. The Emperor Couloir and Tuning Forks on the North and Northwest Face look great! The Southeast Bowl on Kelso is in and a short outing right above the summer parking lot. Earlier this week one could drive to a few hundred yards below the summer parking lot.

Grays (left) and Torreys Peak

Grays (left) and Torreys Peak

Torreys Peak: South Paw, East Face Direct, Dead Dog

Torreys Peak: South Paw, East Face Direct, Dead Dog

Mount Edwards North Face

Mount Edwards North Face

Mount Spalding: Mount Spalding is accessed at Summit Lake on the Mount Evans Road. The deep Chicago Lakes cirque has a few routes still holding on. Chi-Town looks skiable but is spotty at the bottom. Goldfinger is in and looks steep! The south side of Mount Spalding is above the Summit Lake parking lot. The Sunrise Couloir, Southeast Face, and Top Gun Couloir (to looker’s left of Sunrise) are in. The East Couloir on Gray Wolf Mountain is still skiable, but the lower descent in the bowl is melted out.

Mount Spalding Chicago Lakes Basin

Mount Spalding Chicago Lakes Basin

Goldfinger Couloir

Goldfinger Couloir

Mount Evans North Face: There are many routes still skiable on the North Face of Mount Evans. The North Face Moderate route has a hike down on talus from the upper parking lots to access the snow. The Diamond Couloir looks great and the Apron Bowl looks like a fun ski (access these from Summit Lake). Many people are also skiing the east shoulder from the upper switchbacks.

Mount Evans North Face.

Mount Evans North Face.

There were many other mountains and faces that we could view from our tours. In the Guanella Pass area, Square Top’s North Couloirs look spotty and measly from the distance. Argentine Peak’s Southeast Face and Northeast Face look good. The Northeast Face holds the Voltage Drop, Amped, and Short Circuit lines. The Santiago Bowl on McClellan Mountain is in, but the lines do not connect to the summit. Bard Peak’s Shakespeare is disconnected in the upper third portion of the route. Pettingell Peak’s Southeast Slopes look skiable but will probably be done after the past few hot days. Hagar’s Southeast Face looks good and skiable! The east slopes of the James Peak Wilderness are holding snow and the descents from Eva, Ida, Bancroft, and James Peak all appeared to be in from the distance. The Abyss Face on Mount Bierstadt looks like a great ski down into the basin below the South Face of Mount Evans.

Road and Trailhead Update: May 27, 2016

Trailhead Update

We were at two high trailheads in Northern Colorado this past week.

The first was the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Technically, this trailhead is low in elevation (9,005') but it accesses the high terrain of the Never Summer Mountains. The trailhead is located at the Trail Ridge closure point north of the Kuwanechee visitor center. The trail is dry for the 1/2 mile to the intersection with the Red Mountain trail that leads to the Grand Ditch. At approximately 9,500'+ you begin to encounter more consistent snow and just above this one can skin on snow to the Grand Ditch. The Ditch then traverses along the base of the Never Summer Mountains from north to south.

Speaking of the Grand Ditch, it is usually left unplowed and melts off in the spring. Due to a landslide, the road serving the ditch has been plowed to get heavy equipment to the construction zone. This construction is north of Mosquito Creek. This means that the Ditch road is dirt and hike-able from the Holzworth Historic Site in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Grand Ditch is plowed from Holzworth Historic Site to north of Mosquito Creek.

The Grand Ditch is plowed from Holzworth Historic Site to north of Mosquito Creek.

 

The second trailhead was the Blue Lake and Sawmill Creek Trailhead near Cameron Pass on Highway 14. We went up the Sawmill Creek Trailhead, but parked at Blue Lake. The snow started right off of Highway 14 at the Sawmill Creek Trailhead. No need to hike in on dirt yet! You can ski from the top of the peaks to Highway 14.

Sawmill Creek is skiable from the highway.

Sawmill Creek is skiable from the highway.

High Road Access Update

Guanella Pass (11,670') - The word is that the pass opened this morning. Guanella Pass connects Georgetown and the I-70 corridor to Grant, Highway 285, and the North Fork of the South Platte River. The pass is a high trailhead with access to Mount Evans, Mount Bierstadt, and Square Top Mountain. For information on Guanella Pass call 303-679-2422 and press 2. 

Mount Evans Road (12,836' and 14,130')  - We have heard that Mount Evans Road is now plowed to just below the summit (14,130'), but it will open this weekend to Summit Lake (12,836'). This road has two great access points. Summit Lake at 12,836' is the entry point to Mount Evan's North Face Routes and Mount Spalding. The summit access enables you to ski the North Face routes without climbing them first... gulp! Early in the "open" season the road is susceptible to being closed in the morning due to hazardous conditions created by melting snow freezing over night on the road surface. 

Trail Ridge Road (12.183') - Severe weather kept the Park Service from opening Trail Ridge Road on Friday. Call the recorded status line for details and opening: 970-586-1222. Hopefully the weather improves and the plowed road is opened this Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Ski the 50 Highest Peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park

Ski the highest 50 peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the big goal of Austin Porzak and his skiing companions. Starting this winter they began planning and then skiing the highest peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Those that are familiar with the Park know all too well the effect that the winds have on the peaks. All winter long the winds peel snow off of every windward nook and cranny. Certainly the snow is deposited on the leeward sides of the mountains, but many of these peaks are just as scoured on the east side as they are on the west side.

Luckily, Front Range skiers such as Austin and his crew are able to take advantage of the wet spring upslope storms. These monster storms, if positioned correctly, can swing moisture counter clockwise and directly into the Park from the east. It feels like April and May have been snowier in recent years, and the Ski RMNP team is already taking advantage of the upslope storms for this project!

The Ski RMNP team is armed with the historical knowledge of the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park that was obtained by Austin’s father Glenn Porzak. In the 1970s, Glenn became the first person to summit the 100 highest peaks inside the park. Austin is honoring the accomplishments of his father by attempting to ski the 50 highest peaks in the Park. Not only are they actively climbing and skiing these peaks, but also they are doing it with style! Many of the Park’s peaks are difficult to access and are rarely skied. Austin and the team are finding unique and aesthetic lines to ski.

It is not clear if the team is attempting to ski all 50 peaks this season, or if they are going to extend the effort over several winters and springs. It will be interesting to see how they ski high and dry peaks such as Storm Peak and Mount Lady Washington. We are excited to follow their accounts and see what they do!

Austin is no stranger to ski mountaineering and has skied all of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks. Austin and the Ski RMNP post great accounts of their trips on their website at http://skirmnp.com. They report on the approach and descents and this is valuable information for anyone wanting to follow in their boot steps!

Uphill Access at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The days are getting longer as we get closer to spring. This means more daylight to work with in the afternoon and the potential for Front Range skiers to access Arapahoe Basin for an afternoon uphill tour. For most of the winter these skiers have been confined to uphill ski area tours in the darkness. The time change has not happened yet, but there is already enough evening in early March to enjoy the alpenglow during an afternoon tour at the Basin. In fact, you might be able to get out of work in time to get to the Basin to train for this spring’s Alpenglow Ascents Rando Challenge!

 

Arapahoe Basin was an early uphill advocate and leader amongst the Summit County ski areas. Outside of the ski area’s operating hours, and if the mountain is officially open for uphill access, skiers are free to climb up the varying ski terrain on the mountain. Uphill skiers are considered skiers under the Colorado Skier Safety Act and still need to observe the rules of the ski area. For example: you are accessing the terrain at your own risk, closed terrain is off limits, you cannot duck ropes, the terrain parks are off limits, etc.

The “Terrain Status” page on the Basin’s website is where you can learn if the uphill access is open or closed. It is also where you can find all the details and the mountain’s uphill policy. You are required to have a complimentary uphill access pass. This pass is available at the Season Pass Office during operational hours.

During operating hours the uphill access is restricted to the eastern edge of High Noon between the Base Area and Black Mountain Lodge. This is about 650 vertical feet of climbing, and it is clearly marked with “Uphill Access Route” signs. Outside of operating hours a popular route is to climb High Noon to the Black Mountain Lodge, and then follow Decrum’s Gulch up the valley to the top of Lenawee Mountain Lift via Humbug or Lenawee Face. This route is approximately 1,560 vertical feet and 1.65 miles long.

One great benefit of the uphill access at A-Basin is that the ski patrol hut next to the top of Lenawee Mountain Lift is open at all times. This is a warm and dry place to hide from the wind and transition to downhill mode.

Finally, the extended daylight hours also signals the start of A-Basin’s Alpenglow Ascents Rando Challenge. 2016 marks the 3rd annual springtime event that starts and finishes in the Base Area while summiting near 12,472’. There are two Rando Challenges this spring on Saturday, March 12 and Saturday, April 9. You can find out more information on the course and register at the Arapahoe Basin Event Calendar.

Touring up A-Basin in the afternoon light.

Touring up A-Basin in the afternoon light.


Low Angle Terrain for Midwinter Fun

The Front Range has been hit with a spectacular series of storms during the past week. While these storms bring much needed snow, they also escalate the avalanche hazard. If you are headed into the backcountry, now is a good time to explore low angle terrain and play it safe. This blog is a brief overview of lower angle winter backcountry terrain described on this website. When the avalanche hazard is elevated, lets keep the slope angles down!

Here is the current avalanche status: The storm during the week of February 1 brought significant snow to the Front Range mountains, followed by the formation of wind slabs near and above tree line. On Thursday, February 4 CAIC messaged via Twitter that the Front Range avalanche conditions are “Considerable”… “Conditions remain dangerous. Wind slab avalanches near and above tree line and persistent slab avalanches are possible at all elevations.” Another smaller storm approaches for Friday, and then high pressure will set in for the foreseeable future.

There are no “safe” places to backcountry ski and snowboard during the winter. The avalanche hazard may decrease during the future high pressure, but in Colorado the risk of sliding should always be considered “high”. Even in more stable conditions, Colorado’s continental snowpack is considered dangerous and difficult to predict. For more information on how the Front Range’s snowpack evolves during the winter, see our Front Range Conditions page in the “About” section of the website.

The safest place for you to ride is at the ski area. If you are not comfortable with the backcountry risks, then keep farming runs inbounds. The Front Range ski areas have numerous stashes that hold snow for weeks. 

Where are the places where riders can get out and still have fun during storm snow and higher avalanche conditions? There are many spots across the Front Range to do this, and we have highlighted several of these below. We have also included links to the guides on the Front Range Ski Mountaineering website that describe the zones and routes in more detail.  The routes described below are also great terrain for beginners and moderate backcountry skiers. This terrain is mostly lower angle and good for first time exploration, storm skiing, and enjoyable tours.

Great Glade Skiing

The Boulevard is the large gladed tree terrain on the southeast flank on Mount Trelease. You can get a good view of this terrain when driving up Loveland Pass. Look across Interstate 70 and see the good-looking glades facing southeast. The terrain is moderate, but the approach involves an uncomfortable scramble from the highway trailhead into the woods. Additionally, there is avalanche hazard above this terrain that can funnel into The Boulevard. Even if the terrain is moderate, always be aware of what lurks above.

Vasquez Trees are a south facing glade in the Jones Pass 12,118’ Zone.  Because they are south facing, they are subject to a shallower snowpack and developing a sun crust. Get to these during a storm or just after. They are particularly good during the colder months of a winter with a deep snowpack. The sun has less influence during these months and the snow stays cold.

The Middle 110s of Current Creek have some of the best glade skiing on the Front Range. This area faces southeast and east so you will want to get here just after a storm. The trees are spread out enough that it would be hard to see the terrain during a storm. The lower flanks of the 110s area are steeper, and there is slide potential in the exit near the 110 Cliffs. To avoid this, stay in the trees on the skier’s left.

The old Berthoud Pass Ski Area terrain has numerous glades and runs to explore that are lower angled. Powder Line, Bonanza, Bell Trail/Dunn’s Run at Berthoud Pass East are just above the parking lot and have minimal slide potential. CDT West and Mainline at Berthoud Pass West are just above the road and easily accessed from the trailhead. If you explore skier’s left of Mainline at Berthoud Pass you will quickly be in avalanche terrain and in the West Side Cliffs.

The Zimmerman Lake trailhead in Northern Colorado accesses Montgomery Pass and Hot Dog Bowl. Hot Dog Bowl East contains open lower angle terrain that then drops into low angle tree skiing. The approach is more complicated than the ski into Montgomery Pass, so it is a great area to both ski and work on route finding skills. The terrain of Hot Dog Bowl West is extremely hazardous. Be aware of this danger and stay clear of   this face. Skiers traversing the terrain below it have triggered avalanches on Hot Dog Bowl West; be careful here!

Fun Bowls

The Butler Gulch Bowl is a great place for post storm skiing. The winds affect this area so you will want to get here quickly after a storm. This expansive area has multiple low angle lines at the edge of tree line that eventually drops into denser forest. The approach from the Jones Pass trailhead is very relaxed, and this is a great place to bring a beginner or someone new to the area and snowpack.

Jones Pass Bowl is similar to Butler Gulch Bowl. The aspect is north facing, but the angle is similar to Butler Gulch Bowl. Jones Pass Bowl is accessed via the same trailhead, and is a slightly longer approach via the Jones Pass Road. If you follow the Jones Pass Road to the Bowl you will cross several slide paths and avalanche hazard areas. Be on the lookout for these. The Jones Pass guide on our website describes a short cut that avoids this hazard area by climbing a trail paralleling the creek.

The small bowls flanking Hidden Knoll in Current Creek at Berthoud Pass have low angle terrain that is fun alternatives to the steeps surrounding them. Each of these bowls has some exposure to avalanche hazard from above, so tread carefully in here. Moonlight Bowl is on the north side of Hidden Knoll. This low angle bowl is exposed to slide hazards from Current Creek Bench. There is a great bowl located below the South Chutes of Hidden Knoll. You can see this in the picture of Hidden Knoll on our Berthoud Pass North Guide.  The bowl and small ridge is located where the “S” skin track label is on the left side of the picture.

In the Northern Front Range, the Montgomery Pass area has copious bowl and glade skiing. This area is quite vast, and our guide on touches on a few of the more popular bowls. The approach into Montgomery Pass is a cross-country ski trail that climbs through the forest. There are numerous tree lines to descend from the base of the bowl towards the trailhead. The bowl itself is very popular. Despite the heavy traffic and lower angle, it is still avalanche terrain above tree line.

 

Front Range Conditions May 15, 2015

I haven’t found a lot of time this spring to be able to get into the high peaks when the sun is out. The consistent storms every weekend have provided ample snow, but the non-stormy days during the week have not aligned to my schedule. This Wednesday, there was a brief break in the thunderstorms and the opportunity for me to get up early and climb a peak before work.

I chose to explore Woods Mountain (12,940’) and Watrous Gulch off of Interstate 70. The access to the valley was quick as the trailhead is right of the Interstate, and the wide trail was dry and accommodating for carrying skis on my pack. I reached the snowline at 10,630’. I walked on the snow for only about 100 yards before I was able to convert to skins and enjoy the wide and flat valley to the base of the South Face of Woods Mountain. The coverage on Woods Mountain is impressive right now, and I was able to skin all the way to the summit!

The last time I got up high in the I-70 corridor was closing day, May 3, at Loveland Ski Area. On May 3, I was impressed with how much snow coverage there was in this part of the Front Range. On that day I noted to myself how well covered the Shakespeare slopes on Bard Peak and the Ribbon on Grays Peak were! Fast-forward to yesterday and there is even more coverage!

The challenge for the day was the light. I was hoping that there would be clear skies since the forecast was for afternoon thunderstorms. This was not so, and it remained a gray morning. It was hard to see on the descent of the South Face, and the pictures were dark.

Bottom line: The coverage in the I-70 region is impressive. If there is a line you have been thinking about for some time, it is most likely filled in!  Here are some pictures to help with your Herman Gulch, Stevens Gulch, and Mount Sniktau planning!

Herman Gulch looks great!  From left to right: UN 12,671, The Citadel, Pettingell Peak.

It looks like you can ski Bierstadt from the summit right now.

The Emperor Couloir and Tuning Forks on Torreys will be skiable for quite some time.

The Northeast Face and North Bowl of Mount Sniktau

The North Gully of Kelso Mountain and the North Face of Mount Edwards in the background.

The South Bowls on Woods Mountain.