The broome hut owned and operated by the grand huts association, the broome hut replaced an antiquated cabin in the second creek basin on the west side of berthoud pass, colorado. The lifts have been removed and the base lodge is being removed. Please be prepared before you play on berthoud pass. Order the book and map now at beacon guidebooks or download and purchase the app.
A former resort, berthoud is one of the newer backcountry areas that offer drops from 11,000feet. As the sport of backcountry skiing developed here in colorado, i wrote and published in 1986 the states first modern ski mountaineering guidbook, colorado high routes, which was second editioned and substantially improved in 1991. With a deep snowpack and hundreds of miles of backcountry, colorados ski season lasts yearround for the most dedicated of backcountry enthusiasts. Jan 30, 2018 ben january 30, 2018 june 29, 2018 2 comments on berthoud pass and coon hill powder storm skiing up on coon hill at the end of december. Rakkup app allows users to purchase and save the berthoud pass and loveland guidebooks to your smart device. The area offers an experience that is comparable to snowcat and. The broome hut berthoud pass, co grand huts association. After years of experience on berthoud pass, writz shares the details of the goods and steeps. Berthoud pass skiing snowboarding colorado vacation.
This book highlights both iconic runs and private powder stashes. The front range runs from south central wyoming to central new mexico. With over two decades of experience, author rob writz has delivered a book that is accessible to every type of skier in backcountry skiing. Beginners guide to backcountry skiing and snowboarding rei. Calculated from 4 snotel sites within 9mi of berthoud pass at an average elevation of 10,880ft. After years of experience on berthoud pass terrain, writz put his wide breadth of knowledge into beacon guidebooks new book, backcountry skiing.
Beloved by the colorado locals, berthoud pass is the goto for a weekend backcountry session due its vast terrain. The defining feature of backcountry bindings is the ability to move your heels up and down so you can tour up the mountain. Vail resorts put the brakes on use of its mountains for skiers seeking turns without lifts, but independent backcountry ski shops across the state are reporting record sales. Arial map to berthoud pass, colorado backcountry terrain. Forest service booklet, an estimated onethird of all colorado skiers frequented berthoud pass in those early years. Beacon guidebooks newest release boasts big lines, mellow day tours and everything in between. Every skier can find suitable terrain for their experience and style in this guidebook. My first book was on my other major passion skiing. Dec 08, 2015 walking my way home a 360 virtual thruhike of the pacific crest trail 2018 duration. Berthoud pass is located along us 40 off highway i70 exit 232. Boots designed specifically for backcountry skiing are lighter weight than downhill boots and they have a walking mode that allows the upper cuffs to pivot forward and back for comfort while skinning and hiking. Jordan lipp takes you on an indepth tour of the terrain, typical snow conditions, and avalanche hazards on 58 ski routes near berthoud pass, 11.
Offpiste ski atlas is the essential photographic guidebook for backcountry skiing. City, state or zip code or airport and click on our get directions button. There are a myriad of reasons why the dedicated ski area atop 11,307 ft. But hit on the right day with good terrain selection, it. Just outside of winter park with a mesmerizing view of the continental divide, berthoud pass is one of colorados most iconic backcountry areas. Berthoud pass was the busiest ive ever seen it in a near decade of skiing in the area. Vail resorts put the brakes on use of its mountains for skiers seeking turns without lifts, but independent backcountry ski. Owned and operated by the grand huts association, the broome hut, originally called the second creek hut, in the second creek basin on the west side of berthoud pass, colorado is one of the finest high altitude skiing and hiking locales in colorado. On geissler number one, looking southwest, independence pass backcountry skiing.
Order the book now at beacon guidebooks or download and purchase the app at rakkup. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass by rob writz front. Join us at rei to celebrate the new book and the upcoming season. Beginners guide to backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
In comparison it was small, but still extremely deadly. Weak ownership, scarcity of snowmaking water sources and an inability to compete with other neighboring ski areas may have all played roles. From a former ski instructor you get real world evaluation of terrain, risk, reward, and a sense of the history of this super cool mountain. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The pass is located west of denver, and provides a high route between upper clear creek canyon to the upper valley of the fraser river in middle park to the north. Private snowcat backcountry snowcat skiing on jones pass, colorado up to 12 people. The most in depth look at berthoud pass and its terrain out there. Mar 21, 2020 early closure of ski resorts triggers feeding frenzy for uphill touring and backcountry ski equipment. The ski area opened in 1937 and was a popular destination among advanced skiers. While a student at cu boulder, i was a volunteer ski patroller at the old berthoud pass ski area, and after the ski area closed i wrote the backcountry skiing guidebook to the region. Once a fully functional ski hill, the berthoud pass ski area closed in 2001. Click here to find lodging near this ski area in the denver mountain area. For directions from where you are to where the berthoud pass skiing and boarding is locatedmeets at, enter your starting point as. Ease of access and great skiing make for excellent backcountry recreation opportunities.
Berthoud passs steep terrain and abundant snow provides access to some of colorados best skiing and snowboarding activities. Berthoud pass ski area opened in 1937 and held a a reputation for premiere backcountry skiing and snowboarding. The data is generated by mountain weather stations near berthoud pass and is not compiled from official resort measurements. Nov 28, 2018 after years of experience on berthoud pass terrain, writz put his wide breadth of knowledge into beacon guidebooks new book, backcountry skiing.
Herb was a member of the austrian national ski team, and during the. Ike garst, the iowa farm boy who became the unlikely operator of the nowdefunct berthoud pass ski area and one of the first people to let snowboarders ride on chairlifts in the world, died this. Berthoud pass is a relatively simple place that often gets a bad wrap from disgruntled colorado locals. With over two decades of experience, author rob writz has delivered a book that is accessible to every type of skier. Berthoud pass skiing snowboarding colorado vacation directory. Berthoud pass snow dusted the venerable berthoud pass ski lodge friday, the last flakes that will ever fall on the creaking old dame of colorado ski.
Whats left is a backcountry skiers paradise, with runs suitable for all skill levels and pristine conditions. The front range rises abruptly from just over 5,000 feet west of denver to peaks over 14,000 feet. Since its official discovery in 1861 by ed berthoud and mountain man jim bri. There are no operating lifts and no safety personnel. The 10 best colorado backcountry skiing locations for 2020. These are the easternmost mountains in the rocky mountains, and are the first to greet visitors traveling to colorado from the east. The lightest backcountry boots emphasize climbing and may sacrifice some downhill performance. Single seats back country snowcat skiing on jones pass, colorado. Making berthoud pass very accessible and with far less traffic than other mountain roads. This lightweight, durable book offers up the best backcountry terrain in each location. Later, berthoud pass became the first colorado ski. It was like gigantic river white water waves going over terrain features. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass is now available as a book and an app. Early closure of ski resorts triggers feeding frenzy for uphill touring and backcountry ski equipment.
Backcountry skiing berthoud pass front range ski mountaineering. Ben january 30, 2018 june 29, 2018 2 comments on berthoud pass and coon hill powder storm skiing up on coon hill at the end of december. This winter as been a fickle one so far, with seemingly higherthannormal temps and dry weather persisting throughout most of the month of january. I became good friends with herb hyna the famous director of the berthoud pass ski school. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass by jordan lipp ebay. A solid road, us highway 40, was paved in 1938 that opened the west to a wave of tourists during the 1940s and 1950s. Once a fully functioning ski resort from 1937 to 2001, the now backcountry terrain has been stripped of chairlifts, lodges, and returned to its primitive state. Sep 19, 2011 a solid road, us highway 40, was paved in 1938 that opened the west to a wave of tourists during the 1940s and 1950s. Berthoud pass berthoud pass is one of those scenic mountain drives that you just really need to do at least once in your lifetime. In high school, i worked at gart brothers both on larimer and the castle. Berthoud pass, colorado spiralbound january 1, 2018 by rob writz author 5. When a ski resort goes out of business, as berthoud pass did in 2001, you lose easy access to the top, but you also lose the crowds. Jones pass guides is currently booking for 201920 winter season. Despite leaving the confines of my home to ski and seek respite from the monotony of isolation during the global pandemic, all i found was more anxiety.
Best late season skiing in colorado with colorado wilderness rides and guides theres a reason that colorado is known as one of the ski capitols of the world. Upgrade to allaccess and receive exclusive benefits. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass colorado guidebook by rob fitz for use in rakkup ios and android apps. Arial map to berthoud pass, colorado boulder outdoor center. Berthoud pass snow dusted the venerable berthoud pass ski lodge friday, the last flakes that will ever fall on the creaking old dame of colorado ski lodges. For directions from where you are to where the berthoud pass skiing and boarding is locatedmeets at. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass is available as a book and an app. The pass goes through the rocky mountains, and is located directly on u. It had a vertical drop of 1,500 feet and received 500 inches of snow on average every year. Avalanche paths of berthoud pass, colorado 2,000 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 feet avalanche paths 1.
Click here to find lodging near this ski area in winter park. The majority of backcountry skiers use alpine touring at bindings, which allow you to lock your heels down at the top of the hill so you can ski back down making parallel turns as you would while downhill skiing. Drive to the very top of berthoud pass, where a large, paved parking area awaits on the east side of the road. Skiing, snowboarding and all winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. The information on j2ski concerning berthoud pass, where not clearly factual, is opinion only and is neither definitive or exhaustive. But what youre left with are the same killer runs 65 on. What is left are fantastic runs for the backcountry enthusiasts. Berthoud pass guidebook front range ski mountaineering. You must confirm all information, especially snow and weather conditions, in berthoud pass before you ski or board. As small groups of backcountry skiers weave their ways up into the. Clicking into my skis at 11,307 feet on berthoud pass near winter park. Front range ski mountaineering has teamed up with beacon guidebooks and rakkup to put berthoud pass beta in your hands.
The runs rated easy and more difficult are less prone to avalanche danger than most. With over two decades of experience, author rob writz has delivered a book that is accessible to every type of. Early closure of ski resorts triggers feeding frenzy for. Nov 20, 2018 backcountry skiing berthoud pass is now available as a book and an app. Berthoud pass is located 65 miles west of denver just outside of winter park, colorado. Berthoud pass s steep terrain and abundant snow provides access to some of colorados best skiing and snowboarding activities. Mar 14, 2017 trying out backcountry skiing with a great crew. One of the worlds highest ski areas, arguably at one point the highest proper ski hilland indeed in the world top three until the late 1990s when new lift building in asia and elsewhere in colorado knocked it down the rankings. Maps of the region, aerial photographs of each ski run, and legend keys are designed to give the user the most pertinent information for riding the goods safely and wisely. I was staying for a few days in one of the bc cabins near berthoud pass during a storm cycle. The glade skiing, deep powder bowls, and steep couloirs of berthoud pass have enough terrain to keep you busy for a lifetime. Most of the backcountry terrain that is accessible from the top of the pass, elevation 11,307 feet, is the former site of the berthoud pass ski area, which opened in 1937 and closed in 2001.
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