CSCUSA Extends Adventure Beyond Groomed Blues
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Skiers and Riders Find Heli-skiing, Hike-to Terrain, and Cat-skiing in Colorado Ski Country
With more skiers and riders searching for challenging, off-piste terrain, Colorado ski resorts are growing their menu of options for the more adventuresome crowd, including heli-skiing, hike-to terrain, and cat-skiing. It will be easier than ever for skiers and riders in Colorado this spring to find untracked stashes of pristine powder, bottomless backcountry terrain, and never-ending face shots.
For those who don't mind doing a bit of hiking to find the freshest powder, plenty of avalanche controlled, in-bounds hike-to options are available that help manage the risks of shredding steep terrain and deep powder.
On the other hand, if guests are looking to get at untouched terrain without taking the time to hike, they can try a Colorado snowcat ski and ride tour. Cat skiing tours are no longer just for experts. 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 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 this spring at Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts:
Known as the Legend, Arapahoe Basin offers many hike-to options including the famous East Wall, recognized not only for its steep and open terrain, but also for its stunning views. There are four designated hike staircases, but skiers can also hike the ridgeline to the North Pole run.
Additionally, skiers and riders can discover hidden powder stashes on four hike-back runs in A-Basin's recently opened Montezuma Bowl.
Aspen/Snowmass
Of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, Aspen Highlands is regarded as the local's mountain with a surplus of powder stashes and untracked lines that last late into the day. Highland Bowl serves 270 acres of steep chutes, bowls, and gladed terrain with an average pitch of 40 degrees. The summit is a 45-minute hike from the top of the Loge Peak chair, but dozens of lines drop into the bowl before the summit. As a bonus to those not keen on hiking, a free snowcat ride is available that can decrease hiking time by about 20 minutes.
Just down valley from Aspen Highlands is Snowmass Mountain. The Hanging Valley Headwall, Cirque and Elk Camp areas give powder purists access to 630 acres of chutes, cliffbands and bowls to be enjoyed after a short hike. Snowmass also offers an intermediate run, Long Shot, with a true backcountry feel after a ten-minute hike. Never groomed, Long Shot offers a good first step for intermediate skiers and riders looking to reach the next level. The run is a full 3,221 vertical feet and is three-and-a-half miles long.
Aspen Mountain is home to Aspen Mountain Powder Tours, a snowcat operation that takes guests to untracked powder fields on the backside of Aspen Mountain. Guaranteed fresh tracks - and gourmet lunch is included.
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 backcountry experience.
Copper Mountain
Tucker Mountain and Copper Bowl offer expert skiers and riders access to more than 1,200 vertical feet of Copper's legendary high alpine back bowls. Copper's Tucker Mountain serves up in-bounds backcountry skiing on two runs known affectionately as "The Taco" and "The Nacho" (or as "The Enchilada Platter", as skiers call these runs when referring to taking multiple laps) and on the Freemont Glades. This extreme terrain can be accessed by a free snowcat ride, by hiking, or by a combination of the two. Copper's free snowcat rides to legendary Tucker Mountain are the essence of Colorado skiing and riding: catching a free ride, choosing your own line and never wiping the smile off of your face.
From the West Ridge of Copper Bowl, hikers can access several runs classified as high alpine adventure or extreme terrain, such as Matchless, Bradley's Plunge, Schaefer's, 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.
All of Crested Butte Mountain Resort's "Extreme Limits" are within ski area boundaries, giving Crested Butte the most in-bounds, double-black-diamond skiing in all of Colorado. These in-bounds hiking options include Phoenix, Spellbound, Teocalli Bowl, and Third Bowl. Crested Butte also offers a hike to its peak.
Those seeking an extraordinary, and private, backcountry experience - in-bounds or out - can join one of Crested Butte's Adventure Guide programs, which highlight all of the terrain Crested Butte has to offer. Experienced guides from Crested Butte Mountain Guides, a local adventure outfitter, evaluate guests' goals and abilities to take them on an adventure they'll never forget.
When guests are not quite ready for backcountry skiing or riding but are still looking for a thrill, CBMR now offers an in-bounds tour focused on highlighting the resort's famed extreme terrain found off of the High Lift and the North Face. The North Face Guide is a group program based on evaluation and light education, helping adventure-minded guests make the most of their extreme experience at CBMR.
Loveland
Loveland Ski Area offers skiers and snowboarders access to 100 acres of in-bounds hike-to terrain at the top of the Continental Divide via Chair 9. Known as "The Ridge," this terrain is open, steep and deep. Approximately 20 minutes of moderate hiking allows skiers and riders to access trails such as Porcupine Saddle, Wild Child, Marmot and Field of Dreams.
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.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Colorado's largest cat skiing operator, the San Juan Ski Company, works in partnership with Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort to offer guests access to breathtaking ungroomed terrain. Located in the heart of the West San Juan Mountains, the Company introduces guests to a potential 35,000 acres of off-piste Colorado skiing located near the resort. Escorted by experienced guides, skiers and riders find untracked bowls, chutes, ridges, glades and tree slopes.
Silverton Mountain
Silverton Mountain has more hike-to avalanche-controlled terrain than anywhere else in the world. Almost 80% of Silverton's 1,819 acres requires skiers to hike five minutes or more to access. This hike-to haven is intended to provide guests with the most unfiltered skiing experience possible.
After a short ten-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 that starts 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 US 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 Silverton's natural Colorado terrain. These helicopter runs are available from December through April, weather permitting.
Ski Cooper
Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours at Ski Cooper provides access to more than 2,400 acres of terrain suitable for advanced skiers and riders. Slopes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 feet in length, with vertical drops of up to 1,400 feet per run.
Steamboat
Christmas Tree Bowl and the adjacent extreme double-black diamond terrain-No Names, North St. Pat's and East Face-enjoy piles of untracked signature Champagne Powder snow and feature steeps, narrow lines and gladed terrain. After a quick 10- to 15-minute hike from the top of Morningside chairlift, skiers and riders can drop in through several access points along the hike to experience some of the steep tree terrain for which the resort is known.
Whether it's a sunny day or one with heaps of fresh fluff, guests can be the first to enjoy the mountain through Steamboat's First Tracks program. In this program, instructors guide groups of skiers and riders through Steamboat's 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.
Additionally, Steamboat's premier backcountry guide service, the Powdercats, offers access to 10,000 acres of pristine terrain on Buffalo Pass, just 20 minutes from downtown Steamboat Springs. Powdercats services include intermediate, advanced, and expert snowcat tours.
Telluride
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.
Also, Telluride is home to Helitrax, a service that allows untracked powder skiing in small, personalized groups on some of the highest helicopter-accessed terrain in the world, Colorado's spectacular San Juan Mountains. Telluride Helitrax gives guests Colorado powder skiing at the lowest guest-to-guide ratio in North America.
Through Winter Park's Powder Addiction, skiers and riders can experience guided backcountry skiing on more than 2,000 vertical feet with uphill transportation in a heavily modified snowcat. Powder Addiction is located at the resort and operates in the Jones Pass area just east of the Continental Divide.
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek offers loads of hike-to terrain, which can usually be seen decked in fresh powder. From the Treasure Chair Lift, guests can hike 25 minutes on Alberta Peak to access tree-line chutes. These empty into glade skiing or into the more intermediate terrain of Step Bowl. Many drop-in spots can be found along the way, including Boundary and Montezuma bowls.
From the Alberta Lift, a hike is available to Knife Ridge. 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 resort's 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 Horseshoe Bowl.
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.
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