Fact Sheet
In Bounds Hike-To Terrain
Since 1990, the United States' average annual avalanche related
deaths have increased from 10 to 30. (www.nwac.us) More people are
venturing into avalanche terrain on their own thanks to growing
popularity in recent years of alpine-touring(AT) gear, which allows
people who already know how to alpine ski to access the
backcountry. Backcountry.com, one of the largest dealers avalanche
safety gear, has seen a 500 percent sales spike year-over-year in
avalanche beacons, probes and other avalanche gear since the first
quarter of 2002. (www.backcountry.com)
To address the issues of avalanche safety and increasing numbers of
people wanting to try off piste terrain, Colorado ski resorts are
offering more avalanche controlled, in-bounds, hike-to terrain,
taking the worry out of backcountry skiing and riding.
Aspen Ski Company
In bounds hike-to terrain can be found at Highland Bowl at Aspen
Highlands and in the Hanging Valley Wall and Long Shot at
Aspen/Snowmass.
- Long Shot on Snowmass - A 10 minute hike from the top of the Elk Camp lift brings skiers and riders to Long Shot, an intermediate run offering true backcountry feel. It is left ungroomed and is 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 3.5 miles long.
- Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands - Highland Bowl serves up
close to 200 acres of super steep chutes, bowls, and gladed terrain
with an average pitch of 40 degrees - the steepest section topping
out at 48 degrees. The summit is a 45 minute hike from the top of
the Loge Peak chair, but there are dozens of lines to drop into
before you reach the top. A free snowcat ride part way cuts 20
minutes off the hike for most people.Hanging Valley Headwall - From
the top of the High Alpine chair at Snowmass, a quick hike gives
you access to hundreds of acres of chutes, cliffbands and bowls.
The varied terrain will challenges all abilities.
Copper Mountain
Accessed by hiking or with the help of a free snowcat ride,
Copper's back bowls are as close as you can get to the backcountry
without actually leaving Copper's boundaries. The high alpine lines
of Copper Bowl and the extreme terrain of Tucker, better known as
The Taco and The Nacho or as ski patrol likes to refer to multiple
laps, the Enchilada Platter, are a must-try for experienced
visitors of Copper.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte has the most inbounds, controlled double black
diamond skiing in the state. In fact all of Crested Butte's
"Extreme Limits" are within ski area boundaries. There is a hike to
the peak, which requires a hike out of Teocalli Bowl. Hikes are
also necessary to get to Phoenix, Spellbound, and Third Bowl, it
just depends on what line you want to ski.
Loveland
Using Chair 9, skiers and riders at Loveland Ski Area can access
100 acres of in bounds hike-to terrain at the top of the
Continental Divide. The terrain is part of "The Ridge" Loveland's
popular intermediate and advanced ski and ride area where the
terrain is open, steep and deep with an average of 400 inches of
snow each year. The hike from the top of Chair 9 takes people to an
elevation of 13,010 feet where views are as breathtaking as the
terrain.
- Approximately 20 minutes of moderate hiking to either side will allow skiers and riders access to trails such as Porcupine Saddle and Wild Child to the South and Marmot and Field of Dreams to the North.
- The trails end inside the ski area limits where numerous runs
will return skiers and riders to the base.
Monarch Mountain
As of March, 2005, skiers and riders have access to 130 additional
acres opened for skiing and riding called Mirkwood Basin.
Accessible via the Breezeway lift and a 15 minute hike along a
cat-track, the new terrain offers nearly 1,100 vertical feet of
extreme skiing and riding. This expansion allows skiers and riders
to access steep expert chutes (50 degree pitches) and glades, rock
cliffs, open bowls, and excellent tree skiing previously accessible
only via Monarch's Snowcat Tours.
- A 15 minute hike will make the 300 vertical foot climb (1200 linear feet) to the top of Mirkwood Basin.
- There is roughly 130 skiable acres OR 650 vertical feet that encompass Mirkwood Basin.
- An egress road will bring you back to a run called Slo Motion
which ends up at the main base lodge.
Silverton Mountain
Of Silverton's 1,819 acres about 80% is more than a 5 minute
hike. From the top of their lift you can boot along the ridge to
loads of north facing powder shots. They have hikes up to an hour
open every day, and some days offer two hour hikes that gain skiers
and riders 4,000 vertical feet of steep powder. Silverton has more
hike-to avalanche controlled terrain than anywhere in the world, so
who knows where to start with names?
- Nightmare - At only ten minutes, this hike brings you to a brand new 164 acre zone with access to dozens of 40-50 degree chutes with beautiful rock walls and cliff features.
- Ropedeedope - A 20 minute hike gets skiers and riders a 2,200 vertical foot Alpine Bowl that starts with 45 degree chutes then mellows into a huge 35 degree powder collecting bowl.
- Billboard - For those willing to put in a 45 minute hike, The Billboard zone is bigger than many entire ski areas and will challenge the best skiers and riders. Starting at 50 degrees, the north chutes run 3,100 vertical feet all the way back to the highway. Appropriate, as you will need to catch a shuttle back to the base.
- Some areas may need to be accessed with a guide during certain
times of year.
Telluride
Backcountry terrain enthusiasts enjoy Telluride's new guided
hike-to terrain in Prospect Bowl's challenging and breathtaking
Mountain Quail. Telluride Ski Resort launched the new guided
terrain of Mountain Quail in January 2005. The run, set against the
dramatic backdrop of Palmyra Peak, offers guided hike-to terrain
within the ski area boundary for the first time ever.
- After a 30-minute hike from the top of Lift 12, this northwest-facing chute rewards skiers and boarders with 1,100 feet of vertical bliss with plenty of face shots and powder turns.
- Guided ski tours of Mountain Quail are led by ski patrollers enabling guests to experience the new terrain in a comfortable and safe environment.
- Prior to the hike, a 15 minute safety orientation is given. Adrenaline junkies exploring Mountain Quail must wear a resort provided beacon and carry a shovel.
- To ensure great snow and safety, group sizes are limited.
Lakeview and Westlake, two additional hike-to terrain trails, will
also be open in a controlled environment, conditions
permitting.
Winter Park
To access the Cirque, Winter Park's in bounds hike-to terrain,
guests take the Timberline chairlift, where at the top of the North
Cone they ski through the Cirque access gate. From the gate, guests
can expect a 30 minute hike into the Cirque on a trial that
parallel's the ski area boundary.
- There are a number of trails that skiers and riders can choose from, all considered extreme terrain (experts only) containing cliffs, 50 degree slopes, as well as rocks and other hazards, and include such well know runs as the Alphabet Chutes, South and West Headwall, and the Shadow Chute.
- All runs empty into steep and gladed tree skiing.
- Prior to the 2006-07 season, skiing the Cirque meant a good hour-plus trip back to where you started. However, this season the new Eagle Wind Lift will cut that time in half.
- The Eagle Wind and its seven new trails will open up 690 acres
of steep and deep, gladed tree skiing terrain.
