Bluebird Backcountry, CO Will Open in February and is the First Ever Human-Powered Resort

Bluebird Backcountry will be Colorado’s newest ski area. However, It may be a bit of a different ski area then the mega-resorts of Summit County. Bluebird Backcountry is to be the first human-powered ski area. It is located in northern Colorado, north of Kremmling and South of Steamboat Springs. The ski area will feature no lifts, helicopters or snowcats. It will have dedicated skin routes to provide guests with uphill access.

The resorts founders believe that an area like this will provide access and training to the world of backcountry skiing. The resort will have 500 acres open to the public and another 1000 acres for guided skiing. The area will offer 2000 feet of vertical, glades, and a mix low angle and steeper terrain. Day tickets will cost $50 and 2-hour guides will cost another $50. The resort will run a test season this year for about 15 days from February 15th through March 15th. There will be a 300 a day skier cap. Amenities will include a mid-mountain warming hut, The Perch, and rentals for touring essentials.

The resorts co-founder Erik Lambert had this to say “If we can provide better access and better education than what’s currently out there, that’s great for backcountry skiing and the growth of the sport,” he said.

This resort will offer a safe place for individuals to gain experience in the backcountry. Ski patrol will not be using explosives but will be monitoring snow stability and closing/opening areas of the mountain based upon this knowledge. It’s an interesting concept and with the amount of growth ski touring has seen in the last 10 years it was only a matter of time before someone started a human-powered resort.