Today about 2.5 million skiers and snowboarders in the U.S. explore the paths less traveled during their ski area visits, according to Snowsports Industries America (SIA). The association also reports that sales of related equipment including alpine touring (AT) and accessories (skins, beacons, probes, shovels) have risen steadily over the past several seasons approaching $50 million.
Colorado ski resorts have long been noted for their exceptional off-piste terrain, they are continuing to expand their menu of options for the more adventurous crowd, including hike-to terrain, cat-skiing, and heli-skiing. Now its easier than ever for skiers and riders in Colorado to find untracked stashes of pristine powder, bottomless terrain, and never-ending face shots.
Earn your turns has become a popular saying among those that dont mind doing a bit of hiking to find the freshest powder. Our resorts feature plenty of avalanche controlled, in-bounds hike-to options that help manage the risks of shredding steep terrain and deep powder.
On the other hand, if youre looking to tap untouched terrain without taking the time to hike, try a tour via snowcat tours offered at nine Ski Country resorts. Cat skiing tours are no longer just for experts, in fact, they are a great way to gain an introductory lesson on backcountry safety. Many Colorado resorts offer guided and unguided tours for intermediate to expert ability levels and with access to diverse terrain options.
A couple Colorado resorts (Silverton and Telluride) even offer heli-skiing for those adventurous riders who want to start from the summit to rack up the vertical feet on a long, powder-laden ride down. Below are some of the adventure skiing opportunities offered at Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts.
Arapahoe Basin
Additionally, skiers and riders can discover hidden powder stashes on four hike-back runs in A-Basins 400-acre Montezuma Bowl.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/mountain/trail-maps.aspx
Aspen Highlands
TRAIL MAP:https://www.aspensnowmass.com/~/media/aspensnowmass/trail-maps/2015_aspen_highlands_sm.ashx
Snowmass Mountain
Just down valley from Aspen Highlands is Snowmass Mountain. The Hanging Valley
TRAIL MAP: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/snowmass#tabs-3
Aspen Mountain
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For a guided backcountry experience, Aspen Expeditions, located at the base of Aspen Highlands, can lead adventurous skiers and riders off of the backside of Aspen Highlands, Snowmass or Aspen Mountain. Guides knowledge of the area and emphasis on safety provide for the ideal adventure.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/aspen-mountain
Copper Mountain
From the West Ridge of Copper Bowl, hikers can access several runs classified as high alpine adventure or extreme terrain, such as Matchless, Bradleys Plunge, Schaefers, Iron Mask and Lallarookn. High alpine adventure terrain is rarely groomed and is designated for expert snowriders only, with unmarked obstacles to be expected. Extreme terrain contains cliffs, very steep slopes (50 degrees or greater pitch), as well as rocks and other hazards, and should only be attempted by experts.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.coppercolorado.com/winter/the_mountain/trail_map
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
For guests looking to explore Crested Buttes Extreme Limits with a guide, CBMR offers an in-bounds tour focused on highlighting the resorts famed extreme terrain found off the High Lift and North Face Lift. The North Face Guides is a group program based on evaluation and light education, helping adventure-minded guests make the most of their extreme experience at CBMR.
Guests who are looking for a completely unique mountaineering experience typically only found in the European Alps and comparable to Chamonixs famed Cosmiques Arete, book an outing with Crested Butte Mountain Guides to do Mt. Crested Buttes Guide Ridge. Experience the thrill, exposure, challenge, and beauty of this technically easy, yet rarely traveled route to the top of Crested Buttes most iconic peak. This tour is offered both winter and summer.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.skicb.com/the-mountain/trail-maps
LovelandSki Area
TRAIL MAP: http://www.skiloveland.com/themountain/brochuresmaps.aspx
Monarch Mountain
Additionally, Monarch Powder Cat snowcat tours service 1,200 acres of extreme terrain just outside the Monarch Mountain boundary. Considered some of the best snowcat skiing in Colorado, skiers and riders find great powder, spectacular views, steeps, trees, cliffs, and bowls. A normal tour will average 10 to 12 runs per day at an average of 1,000 vertical feet per run.
TRAIL MAP:http://www.skimonarch.com/trail-map/
Purgatory
SAN JUAN UNTRACKED WEBSITE: http://sanjuanuntracked.com/
Silverton Mountain
After a 20-30 minute hike, adventurers can find a 164-acre zone named Nightmare, with dozens of 40-to 50-degree chutes marked with beautiful rock walls and cliff features. Ropedeedope is accessible after a 20 minute hike, impressing skiers with a 2,200 vertical foot bowl thatstarts with 45 degree chutes and mellows into a huge 35 degree powder-collecting bowl. Those willing to put in a 45 minute hike are rewarded when they encounter Billboard, a run that starts at 50 degrees and descends 3,100 vertical feet all the way back down to the highway. Some areas may need to be accessed with a guide during certain times of year.
Additionally, Silverton is one of the only ski areas in the U.S. that offers heli-skiing directly at the ski area. Riders are lifted by helicopter to one of several landing sites at the top of the mountain, giving them access to all 1,819 acres of Silvertons natural Colorado terrain. These helicopter runs are available from December through March, weather permitting.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/mountain/trails
Cooper
SNOWCAT WEB PAGE & TRAIL MAP: http://skicooper.com/snowcat-tours/
Steamboat
Whether its a sunny day or one with heaps of fresh fluff, guests can be the first to enjoy the mountain through Steamboats First Tracks program. In this program, instructors guide groups of skiers and riders through Steamboats famous Priest Creek area for some often untracked powder runs before anyone else hits the slopes. Reservations are recommended as this program frequently sells out.
TRAIL MAP: http://ww1.steamboat.com/web/maps/steamboattrails.pdf
Additionally, Steamboats premier backcountry guide service, Steamboat Powdercats, offers access to 10,000 acres of pristine terrain on Buffalo Pass, just 20 minutes from downtown Steamboat Springs. Steamboat Powdercats services include intermediate, advanced, and expert snowcat tours.
STEAMBOAT POWDER CATS WEBSITE: http://www.steamboatpowdercats.com/
Telluride
Bald Mountain is accessible via an access gate located on Upper Galloping Goose in the Lift 12 area.This local’s favorite includes both Jacpot and Audrey and is home to some of the best and longest lasting stashes on the mountain.Be sure to look to the south at the summit for a view of the historic mining town of Alta just below.
Black Iron Bowl is accessible via Lift 12 (Prospect Lift) and a short hike out Prospect Ridge. Skiers and riders will be able to drop in anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes hiking time along the ridge. Dropping 1,000 vertical feet on the primary pitches, terrain includes the expansive Mountain Quail couloir, European-style faces, open glades and steep chutes. The Mountain Quail couloir had previously been accessible as guide-only, but now the full expanse of Black Iron is open for public access as conditions allow. Other runs include Westlake, Lakeview, Review, Dihedral Chute, Dihedral Face, Jellos Bowl and Nice Chute.
Gold Hill Chute 1 is an epic line on the flip side of Revelation Bowl. It can be accessed one of two ways; one, through the gate at the top of Revelation Bowl Lift (15), or two, traverse across the top of Little Rose and Andy’s Gold, through the gate adjacent to Andy’s Gold. The chute will not be open continually, so check for current information on the signs before going.The expert-only chutedirects skiers away fromthe cliff bandby taking the traverse to skiers right and back to Andy’s Gold. Skiers can also egress via the goat trail traverse into Gold Hill 1.5and into The Fans and the egress from Black Iron Bowl and Palmyra basin. If they enjoyed that, there are another nine Gold Hill Chutes to explore.
Meanwhile Palmyra Peak is home to well over 200 acres and almost 2,000 vertical feet of in-bounds hike-to terrain, including the runs Tram Shot, Sunrise and Electric Shock.
If thats not enough, Telluride is home to Helitrax that offers a variety of heli-ski experiences from single-day trips to multi-day lodge based packages and private custom tours. Helitrax transports skiers and riders to some of the highest helicopter-accessed terrain in the world amid Colorado’s spectacular San Juan Mountains.
HELITRAX WEBSITE: http://www.helitrax.com/
Winter Park
TRAIL MAP: http://www.winterparkresort.com/media/trail-map.aspx
Through Winter Parks Powder Addiction, skiers and riders can experience guided backcountry skiing on more than 2,600 acres and 2,000 vertical feet with uphill transportation in a heavily modified snowcat. Powder Addiction is located in the Village at Winter Park and operates primarily in the Jones Pass area just east of the Continental Divide.
POWDER ADDICTION WEBSITE: http://www.powderaddiction.com/index.php
Wolf Creek
From the Alberta Lift, take the Knife Ridge Staircase to access the Knife Ridge Chutes. After a brief climb to the Outpost Building, guests can chart their point of entry into this expert terrain. Those making this trek for the first time are encouraged to check in with a ski patroller to make sure they follow the correct path. The hike takes 15 minutes and gives riders access to a number of short but exciting steep chutes.
Wolf Creek also offers guests big bowl skiing. For the intrepid, a 45-minute hike will land skiers at Horseshoe Bowl, an open basin along the resorts eastern boundary. Step Bowl is also a great way for skiers to return to the base area from the Alberta Lift. Step Bowl has several access points, including from the same hiking trails that lead to Alberta Peak.
For those seeking a shorter hike, after a five- to-eight-minute walk from the Bonanza Chairlift, skiers can enter the North Woods, with tree-shrouded runs giving advanced skiers a fruitful reward for their short hike.
TRAIL MAP: http://www.wolfcreekski.com/wolf-creek-maps.php