Back Country Skiing in Colorado

The best days on the snow in Colorado are the ones where you’ve found untracked powder. Avid skiers and boarders can speak to that soul-awakening moment. But, it’s not always easy to find at a resort. Sometimes you have to go where chairlifts refuse and seek what’s not readily available.

Colorado has plenty of free places to do it. Here are the top three.

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Mt. Baldy, Breckenridge

Locals are usually the only ones who regularly go to this trail. The tough hike up only fuels the excitement of soaring down. For the most unique experience, go at night under a full moon to light your path. A headlamp will still be crucial for the way down. From the top, you’ll see incredible views of Breckenridge lit up with a sharp Rocky Mountain backdrop. Under a clear starry sky, you will feel like you’re in a movie scene just before you get to float down the hill with no crowds.

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Loveland Pass, Loveland

While Loveland Pass is much more well-known, therefore more populated, than Mt. Baldy, it’s large enough where you can still find untracked powder, tree skiing and endless rock features to launch off of when you’re feeling up for a little flight. It’s benefit? No hiking. Ski down to the road and passing-by cars will be picking up skiers to take them back to the top.

The S in Sky Mountain, Copper Mountain

From Peak 6 at Breckenridge, you can hike up to the ridge to ski the backside and end up at Copper Mountain. The backside of this mountain has three prominent avalanche chutes that appear to spell the word “SKY” when looking from Copper. On most days you’ll have the “S” chute all to yourself.