Growing up in the small town of empire at the eastern foot of berthoud pass has given him a unique insight into the background and history of the area. Berthouds expedition of eight people, including jim bridger, crossed the continental divide at the 11,315 foot summit and established a relatively easy way to get into middle park from the east. Berthoud pass trailhead is a developed recreation area, and as such, requires that pets be leashed while in the developed area. Berthoud pass is a high mountain pass in central colorado, in the rocky mountains of the. With over two decades of experience, author rob writz has delivered a book that is. Colorado ski country is another website that has the current snowfall at the ski areas. Berthoud pass film event lost ski areas of colorado books. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass by rob writz front range. Berthoud pass, colorado by rob writz links to guidebooks may be affiliate links find nearby zones all mapped areas are approximations.
The town of berthoud offers passport acceptance and photograph services. Since its official discovery in 1861 by ed berthoud and mountain man jim bridger. Oct 10, 2009 parking for berthoud pass was expanded at the time of construction. At more than 11,000 feet in the rocky mountains, and coupled with its large number of switchbacks, it has become one of the most beautiful and widely used mountain passes in the west. Now that berthoud pass ski area is closed, skiers use the area in. Get realtime berthoud pass road conditions and status on us40 between empire and winter park ski resort. This event celebrates the 82nd anniversary of the opening of berthoud pass ski area. 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 ski area opened in 1937 and was a popular destination among advanced skiers. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that.
The authors of the lost ski area books will attend and be available to sign books after. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until october. The town of berthoud is located at 807 mountain avenue, berthoud, colorado 805 passport acceptance at this location is by appointment only. It was an all day project to climb the mountains around the pass to get unique views. Berthoud pass mines peak awos 0co colorado department. Berthoud pass is located 65 miles west of denver just outside of winter park, colorado. This area is not for beginners, as true backcountry conditions do exist. The pass is now a very popular backcountry touring area. Berthoud pass skiing snowboarding colorado vacation. Dec 16, 2011 arcadia publishing publishes many titles for local people, educating them about colorado history, said dugan. Get here early on a powder day for laps on the best tree skiing on the pass.
Our goal to try a new sport, or actually rather old sport noboarding. Half of the ski area was designated as advanced or expert. Berthoud, who completed the first survey of this saddle in the main divide in the spring of 1861. Many settlers filed homestead claims, but most bellied up and left the valley to hardier souls who ranched and farmed the arid prairie that straddled the river bottom. Equipment including probes, shovels and beacons are all musts, because slides are frequent in the area. Berthoud pass berthoud pass is one of those scenic mountain drives that you just really need to do at least once in your lifetime. Berthoud pass, for example, is considered by many to be the first official ski.
Frontcountry refers to terrain that is offtrail but within ski area boundaries where ski lifts and emergency services are close at hand. I became good friends with herb hyna the famous director of the berthoud pass ski school. Please be prepared before you play on berthoud pass. Colorado department of transportation, cdot has real time road and weather information. Berthoud pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3. The most in depth look at berthoud pass and its terrain out there.
The terrain is fairly mellow and allows for this sort of fun. Cdot berthoud pass winter park webcams coloradowebcam. The 110s face east or south and snow conditions can become quickly influenced by the sun. Berthoud pass ski area operated discontinuously from 1937 to 2003. Berthoud pass ski area was one of the first major ski resorts in colorado. The now defunct berthoud pass ski area is popular with backcountry ski, snowboard and snowshoe enthusiasts. The berthoud pass automated weather observing system awos is located at 12,493 feet msl, 1 mile east of the berthoud pass summit, at the summit of mines peak. Berthoud discovered the pass in july 1861 while surveying a. Berthoud pass was the site of colorados first ski resort, berthoud pass ski area, it operated until 2002 but then ran into financial trouble and was dismantled. The berthoud pass ditch bisects the 110s area and you can use it to traverse into second creek to the north or to hidden knoll to the south.
The town of berthoud is located at 807 mountain avenue, berthoud, colorado 805. Colorado ski history colorados first ski area shaping a new future for colorados oldest ski area backcountry haven. Arcadia publishing publishes many titles for local people, educating them about colorado history, said dugan. Now that berthoud pass ski area is closed, skiers use the area in the same fashion that. Berthoud pass is a high mountain pass in the rocky mountains of central colorado in the united states. It had a vertical drop of 1,500 feet and received 500 inches of snow on average every year. Once home to the nowdefunct berthoud pass ski area, the pass is a destination for. Berthoud pass film event lost ski areas of colorado.
He chose photographs to illustrate the story of berthoud pass and to capture the uniqueness of the area. Berthoud pass skiing snowboarding colorado vacation directory. The berthoud pass ski area opened to skiers in 1937, with a v8powered rope tow. There are a myriad of reasons why the dedicated ski area atop 11,307 ft. We use weather stations because they update automatically and provide consistent measurements over many decades. Use the links below to discover individual histories of colorados most famous ski areas. Dugan has researched and gathered photographs on berthoud pass for many years.
Parking for berthoud pass was expanded at the time of construction. Located in the heart of colorados ski resort region, berthoud pass receives more than 10 meters 400 inches of snow annually. Herb was a member of the austrian national ski team, and during the. This mostly eastsoutheast facing slope drops down to the road leading north out of the pass. Passport services are currently suspended until april 30, 2020. Featuring aerial photos, avalanche terrain ratings, slope angle, aspect and other important information.
Perhaps you have been on berthoud pass for snowboarding, how about trying it without bindings. Backcountry skiing is back at berthoud pass, near denver. Hundreds of cars dangerously parked along berthoud and loveland pass as people tried to. Berthoud pass backcountry skiing boulder outdoor center. State agencies crack down on parking along mountain roads. Colorado ski history lost ski areas of colorado books by. At more than 11,000 feet in the rocky mountains, and coupled with its large number of switchbacks, it has become one of the most beautiful and widely used mountain passes in the. The quick access and the deep snow of berthoud pass provide a solace from the. This mountain pass is the main gateway to the winter park area. In high school, i worked at gart brothers both on larimer and the castle. Berthoud pass, co located at 11,307 feet above sea level and home to the nowclosed berthoud pass ski area. You can also dial 511 within colorado to get a recorded message on road. Dedicated to a rich rural heritage, the berthoud historical society est.
Berthoud pass backcountry noboarding mountain weekly news. Berthoud pass being the first downhill ski area in colorado with a rope tow set a precedent for all the other ski areas that came during that time, said nicklas. Various terms have emerged to refer to how the terrain is accessed and how close it is to services. The authors of the lost ski area books will attend and be available to sign books. 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. Berthoud pass is a popular destination for backcountry skiers and snowboarders, with 1,200 skiable acres of offpiste terrain. For additional local stuff check out the east portal moffat tunnel area up in rollinsville or the old hidden valley ski area in rmnp. Weak ownership, scarcity of snowmaking water sources and an inability to compete with other neighboring ski areas may have all played roles.
Today berthoud pass is well known among backcountry skiers. Featuring aerial photos, avalanche terrain ratings, slope angle, aspect and. Hv is typically very low avy danger and is a good place to tour when things are sketch, but please take that. The pass goes through the rocky mountains, and is located directly on u. Since its official discovery in 1861 by ed berthoud and mountain man jim bridger, berthoud pass has been an important transportation route over the continental divide. The broome hut berthoud pass, co grand huts association. Berthoud pass ski area opened in 1937 and held a a reputation for premiere backcountry skiing and snowboarding. In the 1980s, owners ike and lucy garst made history as. Backcountry skiing is back at berthoud pass, near denver colorados oldest ski area was looking pretty long in the tooth before new owners gave it a facelift a couple of years ago, and introduced an innovative backcountry ski program. After heavy storms, which can arrive as early as september and continue into early june, maintenance crews had limited space for plowing and piling the mounds of.
Colorado governor extends school and ski area closures due to. Berthoud passs steep terrain and abundant snow provides access to some of. Calculated from 4 snotel sites within 9mi of berthoud pass at an average elevation of 10,880ft. In fact most of the runs are the ski area were natural, made from avalanche slides. Backcountry skiing berthoud pass is now available as a book and an app. It was a huge piece of colorado history that did not have to come down, said an irate ike garst, who in the 1980s ran the berthoud pass ski area. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. After years of experience on berthoud pass, writz shares the details of the. Lost ski areas of colorado books by caryn and peter. We were drawn to the history associated with some of these places. There are two rides in our nations history that are sacredly popular. Berthoud pass history chronicled in new book, old photos. Berthoud pass ski area historic images the denver post. The film was created by the road west traveled, filmmakers who are helping people discover the lost ski areas of colorado through film.
Whatever the cause, the ski lifts that had operated since 1937 were shut down in 2001. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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. Use caution, as this is not an operating ski resort, so any activities are performed at your own risk. Berthoud pass ski area berthoud pass lodge july 1963 once home to the nowdefunct berthoud pass ski area, the pass is a destination for local backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers due to its abundance of steep and challenging terrain and plentiful snow averaging 500 inches annually. White settlers first came to the presentday berthoud area in the early 1860s, following the colorado gold rush. The area offers an experience that is comparable to snowcat and helicopter skiing. The book includes neverbefore published photographs of berthoud pass and empire from the authors private collection. Berthoud pass, co to tennessee pass, co via lots of ski. The runs rated easy and more difficult are less prone to avalanche danger than most. Frontcountry refers to terrain that is offtrail but within ski area boundaries where ski.
Weakened and dead trees fall without warning, with little or no help from the wind. Ski touring involves both uphill and downhill travel without needing to remove skis. Some trees have been affected by pests, so be aware of hazard trees in and around the area. The data is generated by mountain weather stations near berthoud pass and is not compiled from official resort measurements. A special thanks to lucy garst and jon miorelli for contributing to this article. It was a huge piece of colorado history that did not have to come down, said an irate ike garst, who in the 1980s ran the berthoud pass ski area with. My dad was a history teacher in leadville and worked on berthoud pass, dugan said during a recent phone interview. Colorados abandoned ski resorts captured on film the telegraph. After many changes in ownership and much competition, the ski area finally closed after their 20002001 ski season. The colorado avalanche institute center has lots of information on avalanche safety and research. 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. The morning started with a ft climb up into the vasquez wilderness area. Berthoud pass ski conditions and lift tickets provides you with instant access to skiing conditions, discount ski equipment, snowboarding information, discount travel and lodging packages, and more for the ski and snowboard enthusiast.
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