Bluebird Backcountry Adds 12 New Ski Runs

(KREMMLING, CO – Sept. 1, 2021) — Bluebird Backcountry announced today that it will add four new uphill skin tracks and 12 new downhill trails for the 2021–22 season. The expansion more than doubles the ski area’s runs.

Bluebird Backcountry is a backcountry ski area, so the new runs are accessed by hiking up the mountain rather than taking chairlifts. The main attraction is 1,200+ acres designed for backcountry learning and managed by a professional ski patrol. Bluebird is the only resort of its kind and opened for its first full season last winter—the first new ski area in Colorado in 20 years. After testing out numerous locations, Bluebird has found its long-term home at Bear Mountain, located between Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

The new terrain runs the full spectrum, from low-angle green/blue runs to extreme gullies. “We’re skiers and splitboarders, and we love to explore,” says Co-founder Jeff Woodward. “We skied every square foot of the mountain last year and put the new trails in the spots with the best snow and most fun terrain.”

Since the area is controlled for avalanches by ski patrol, guests do not need any backcountry knowledge to visit Bluebird Backcountry. The entire experience is designed to be friendly and welcoming for any skier or snowboarder, regardless of ability or experience level.

The new terrain includes one green/blue run and one blue run on the Northeast Face, six black runs on the North Face, and four extreme shots on the Southeast Face. Each run has its own character and will add enormous diversity to the riding experience. “These trails have something for everyone,” Woodward says, “including steep New England-style tree runs, beautiful aspen meadows, and a couple of rowdy rock-walled couloirs and big mountain faces.”

More than 40 volunteers helped create the runs over the summer. The team thinned out saplings and branches to leave the backcountry spirit of the mountain without clear cutting at all.

In addition to trails, Bluebird Backcountry has numerous updates and new offerings this year, including:

• Season Passes designed for ages 26 and younger ($100 off)
• Season Passes for weekday only access ($100 off)
• Dogs allowed all weekdays, and unlimited free dog passes for season passholders
• Two tickets to Arapahoe Basin for all Season Passholders
• New digital community resources for ride shares and finding partners
• A new annual Avalanche Refresher course designed to keep skills fresh
• A full suite of advanced clinics for more experienced backcountry riders
• Education memberships with access to digital courses and special events
• Improvements to the access road

“Bluebird has an entirely different vibe than any other kind of ski area,” says Co-founder Erik Lambert. “We have a culture of education and a grassroots scene with friendly staff, campfires, and live music.”

Bluebird is capping season passes at 1,000 for the 21/22 season, and prices go up September 16. Visit bluebirdbackcountry.com for more information or to purchase a pass.

About Bluebird Backcountry

Bluebird Backcountry is a human-powered backcountry ski area located between the towns of Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It’s operated by dedicated backcountry skiers and snowboarders who have three goals: increase access, improve education, and create a soulful gathering place for the backcountry skiing community.

Bluebird Backcountry has been working on the backcountry-lite ski area concept since 2017. After raising more than $100,000 through Kickstarter—430% of its goal—in January 2020, Bluebird’s in-bounds backcountry concept became a reality, opening for a 14-day test season in February and March 2020. The start-up then expanded its terrain, education, and other offerings for its first full season at Bear Mountain in 2020/21.

Learn more at http://bluebirdbackcountry.com or email co-founder Erik Lambert at erik@bluebirdbackcountry.com.