Splashdown: Finding the meaning of life in the Monarch backcountry. Photo: Liam Doran/liamdoranphotography.com
The Sidecountry: Loveland
On first glance, Loveland Pass seems nothing more than a jamble of snowboarders smoking butts and trying to hitch rides. That can be the extent of the backcountry experience here if you do nothing more than hike up from the summit of the pass and straightline back down to U.S. 6. But the best acess to some of Loveland’s lesser known goods is straight out of Lovaland ski area. Hike out the backcountry gate behind the stone cabin at the top of Lift 1 and over the ridge to access moderate gladed terrain that holds nice snow. Then join the jbbers in thumbing a ride back down.
Close to Home: Arapaho Lakes
With an approach that’s short enough to get you back home in time to get some work done, the skiing above the east side of the Moffat Tunnel just outside of Rollinsville can hold some surprising powder stashes. The Indian Peaks are known for incessant wind, but you’ll be protected if you stay down low in the trees. If you do, you can get a few laps in before calling it a day. On less windy days, push up to the lakes for a beautiful view and easy open skiing. The steep slopes above the lakes are tempting but prone to slides.
Peakbagging: James Peak
Visible from I-70, James Peak beckons with big open slopes that can be skied winter or spring depending on the conditions. From the St. Mary’s Glacier trailhead, the approach wastes no time going vertical. Grab a snack when you clear the pesky trees at St. Mary’s Glacier and power up. You can call this good and just do laps at the toe of the glacier or continue the full 3.5 miles for a 3,000 foot gain to the summit of James Peak at 13,294 feet. Above the glacier toe the slope flattens out for a stint making the return trip difficult for snowboarders. Punch up to the summit and reap the rewards in views and turns.
Pow in the Trees: Old Monarch Pass
Here’s an easy tour that offers big rewards when conditions are right. Drive just past the Monarch Ski Area to find some parking along U.S. 50 where in the summer you would be able to turn up Road 237. Skin up the buried 237 right along the Monarch Ski Area boundary line for a stint before breaking away and reaching the Old Monarch Pass Continental Divide sign. Continue up southeasterly over a little knob and as high as you care to go. For a nice long powdery run with sparse trees, stick to the north face. Ski to the crux of the ravine, grab lunch and repeat. On your last run, just follow that ravine all the way back to 50 and you’ll only be half a mile from where you parked.
The 14er: Quandary Peak
Just eight miles south of Breckenridge with a straighforward approach and great snow well into the spring, 14,256-foot Quandary Peak offers a full on ski mountaineering experience when conditons are stable in spring and, if the conditons are right, in winter. Even if you don’t summit, there are two bowls here that catch blowing powder and fun, well spaced tree skiing below the peak. The eastern ridge makes for the best approach to summit. Scope your lines in the bowls to the north as you skin up and be mindful of overloaded and avalanche-prone slopes (don’t even try it without the proper skills and equipment). Still, there are safe lines to be had along the edge of the bowls. But the safer lower trees really collect powder.
