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Has anyone heard of Bluebird Backcountry?

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pistolpeteo4
Posts: 231 - Karma: 32
Howdy Folks,

It's been quite a while since the last time I've posted on NS, just checking in with the fellow ski community and hope everyone has had a great season so far!

Over the years, New Schoolers' forums have helped fuel many evenings researching ski trips to far and away places, you've helped answer a ton of questions and opinions about skis, bindings, gear, the newest and coolest ski movie - and ultimately convinced me to start working in the ski industry. I thought I'd return the favor and provide the community with a little detail of a resort I recently started working for if you were not familiar, and might be up your ally.

Bluebird Backcountry is a chairlift-less, skin up, ski down, dog friendly resort located in Kremmling Colorado. The mountain offers 1,200 acres of in-bound avalanche mitigated terrain that includes ski patrol services, and 4,200 acres of total skiable area. It's located on Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat, Colorado. For folks traveling, lodging is offered this year in the form of off-grid 5 person geodesic domes, as well as 2 person cabins, which are also dog friendly. For the solo skier, there is a 5 person cabin style hostel available, and if you own a van-life camping rig, parking spots are set aside for overnight visits.

If you work in the ski industry, are looking to expand your avalanche certifications or hone your backcountry technique - AIARE Avalanche courses, Backcountry lessons and hut based trips are all offered, and are really what Bluebird specializes in. Full rental equipment is available in the form of ski touring equipment, split board equipment, and snow safety gear.

In general, the resort just has a very unique concept and vibe, everything is off-grid, there are fire pits at the base area, free bacon at the mid station, and lots of dogs. It's truly one of a kind and is the only resort offering this type of experience in the country. I wanted to make sure everyone knew that such a place existed - and hope some of you can check us out. This is the 3rd season open to the public, and we just opened last week and are open until the end of March.

Check out the website for details: https://bluebirdbackcountry.com/

Thanks for reading and hope to see you out there!
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Jan 4 2023 11:21PM
10 0
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,582
Kind of thinking of heading down there next winter. I want to do an AIARE course and have people in CO I haven't seen for some time, might be a worth while trip.
Jan 5 2023 12:11AM
4 0
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6708 - Karma: 71,125
Idk fam. Drive extra far to pay money to walk my own ass up the hill? I'll pass
Jan 5 2023 1:15AM
8 1
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nCrow
Posts: 1228 - Karma: 8,207
Definitely want to hit up Bluebird the next few seasons to take some avy classes and get familiar with touring, once i have some money hopefully. I love the concept and think it's a really great place for new people to go who are unsure of where to start with backcountry stuff.
Jan 5 2023 8:59AM
5 0
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skierman
Posts: 8383 - Karma: 7,758
Oh fuck you, you opportunistic asshole.
Jan 5 2023 9:50AM
2 8
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asparagus
Posts: 2489 - Karma: 28,373
skiermanOh fuck you, you opportunistic asshole.


Jan 5 2023 9:56AM
2 0
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
I've been, it's pretty cool, situated near rabbit ears so it gets similar storm patterns to steamboat. Super chill vibe, really friendly and knowledgeable staff who obviously love their jobs.

Big plus, you can demo all the touring gear you need which is great for graduating friends out of ski touring in the resort and moving towards true Backcountry.
Jan 8 2023 2:53PM
6 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 51803 - Karma: 164,300
Always thought this was a weird concept. Might check it out ince out of curiosity but when I tour I'm trying to gtf away from people not go to where all the jabronis gather.
Jan 8 2023 5:13PM
0 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 51803 - Karma: 164,300
Looked at website, not for me. Seems like a jabroni fest. $39 to tour lol. Fuck that. "Pre set skin tracks" sick perk.

I get it, everyone and their mom got into touring and you'll get traffic from Denver. This sounds like something I want to avoid like the plague.

When I go touring I absolutely don't mias the amenities of the ski resort.

Idk, I get why it exists, but thats gotta be a know for me dawg.
Jan 8 2023 5:19PM
3 0
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
theabortionatorLooked at website, not for me. Seems like a jabroni fest. $39 to tour lol. Fuck that. "Pre set skin tracks" sick perk.

I get it, everyone and their mom got into touring and you'll get traffic from Denver. This sounds like something I want to avoid like the plague.

When I go touring I absolutely don't mias the amenities of the ski resort.

Idk, I get why it exists, but thats gotta be a know for me dawg.


If you're willing to walk more than a mile you won't see a soul lol. At least when I went last year the "preset" track was only on the valley.

But yea this is more of the vibe for like, bringing your backcountry-curious friend out without them having to commit to a setup. Plus they control so you don't have to worry as much about newbs causing a slide on top of you.

But if you're capable and knowledgeable, there are a lot of other places in Colorado very much worth exploring. In general, just good to be outside.
Jan 8 2023 5:44PM
3 1
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theabortionator
Posts: 51803 - Karma: 164,300
katrinaIf you're willing to walk more than a mile you won't see a soul lol. At least when I went last year the "preset" track was only on the valley.

But yea this is more of the vibe for like, bringing your backcountry-curious friend out without them having to commit to a setup. Plus they control so you don't have to worry as much about newbs causing a slide on top of you.

But if you're capable and knowledgeable, there are a lot of other places in Colorado very much worth exploring. In general, just good to be outside.


Yeah for sure. Hell I'd even tour up buttermilk sometimes in the spring when they closed down the one sode of the mtn. Nobody around and drive to the slop. Have a beer or two and rose down.

Getting out is always nice. Idk. A lot of ski areas don't charge for uphill even. I get that ski area but still. Plenty of places to go a mile and not see a soul.

I get why it exists it just isn't my thing. I only replied because they asked. My buddy has some free days on his abay pass and was gonna check it out maybe when avy danger is more fucked since they do control work. Interested to see what he thinks. He lives in Silverthorne though so super easy drive might as whale.
Jan 8 2023 5:54PM
1 0
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
theabortionatorYeah for sure. Hell I'd even tour up buttermilk sometimes in the spring when they closed down the one sode of the mtn. Nobody around and drive to the slop. Have a beer or two and rose down.

Getting out is always nice. Idk. A lot of ski areas don't charge for uphill even. I get that ski area but still. Plenty of places to go a mile and not see a soul.

I get why it exists it just isn't my thing. I only replied because they asked. My buddy has some free days on his abay pass and was gonna check it out maybe when avy danger is more fucked since they do control work. Interested to see what he thinks. He lives in Silverthorne though so super easy drive might as whale.


Oh you're in Carbondale/ Aspen? Try going to a "popular" front range touring area like Berthoud Pass, absolutely one of the scariest places to backcountry ski because of the people.

That's why Bluebird exists lol.
Jan 8 2023 5:57PM
2 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 51803 - Karma: 164,300
@katrina I guess you're right about "backcountry curious" people. Takes a lot to get into and if you don't have a friend it's a lot of commitment to try it out. Or find a place that rents.

Honestly seems like they can't be making a ton of money so I get charging what they charge. Cheap compared to all the ski areas.
Jan 8 2023 5:57PM
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 51803 - Karma: 164,300
katrinaOh you're in Carbondale/ Aspen? Try going to a "popular" front range touring area like Berthoud Pass, absolutely one of the scariest places to backcountry ski because of the people.

That's why Bluebird exists lol.


True. I have. I've def seen some shot. Hell, in Tahoe in 2020 when we got 8 or 9 feet and the resorts shut down for covid that day. Avy conditions were gnar and everyone and their mom was out touring with no gear, no clue.

Some guy posted in a touring group a cheesy cheesy generic video that seems like a parody it was so bad. Cool do you legit went in the absolute worst conditons solo just to film that trash content?

I haven't toured much closer to Denver so Idk. It makes sense.if you're saying its not too crowded thats cool. Its hard for me to picture what the place is like. Good on ya getting the friends out
Jan 8 2023 6:01PM
1 0
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
theabortionatorTrue. I have. I've def seen some shot. Hell, in Tahoe in 2020 when we got 8 or 9 feet and the resorts shut down for covid that day. Avy conditions were gnar and everyone and their mom was out touring with no gear, no clue.

Some guy posted in a touring group a cheesy cheesy generic video that seems like a parody it was so bad. Cool do you legit went in the absolute worst conditons solo just to film that trash content?

I haven't toured much closer to Denver so Idk. It makes sense.if you're saying its not too crowded thats cool. Its hard for me to picture what the place is like. Good on ya getting the friends out


Yea if you don't have to come closer to Denver... maybe don't haha. Really most spots that require any real effort to get to are fine, but the traffic and the crowding at trailheads is extremely problematic, and the lack of awareness at any spot that's easy to access is deeply concerning. I suspect that's kind of the case anywhere that's too easy to get to has, but Denver's population has just exploded in the past 5 years right along with the advances in bc gear, it's kind of nuts.
Jan 8 2023 6:08PM
3 0
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thankagaper
Posts: 911 - Karma: -1,548
Everyone needs a stepping stone, and this is a great place to go see if you have the strength , endurance, and intelligence, to earn your turns. if you are already a BC guru, DUH, it would be like skiing groomers...I would laugh at people touring inbounds... the whole point is to get sendy right?!?!?!
NO. Train yourself.
respect life, respect others abilities and why they make the turns they make. safely. im starting all over by training my puppy, and Bluebird will be a great first experience for ACE. touring inbounds built great strength, and was a safe cruise for my pup.
Jan 8 2023 6:17PM
3 0
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SkiingNinja
Posts: 1970 - Karma: 901
I taught an AIARE 1 course there last season and thought Bluebird was a great concept. It has great vibes (free bacon while touring, fire pits and music, camping in the parking lot, etc.). It reminded me of Arapahoe basin in terms of the vibe they were trying to create.

it’s a great space for those hesitant to venture into the BC. The group I taught was more families and high school students. It’s a great place to have more security and focus on learning versus being sketched about conditions. It’s also great for people who want to tour but don’t have money to invest in avy gear or training yet. As someone said before, it’s a stepping stone

It’s not for everyone. For those who have training and get out regularly, you’re not going to get as much from it.
Jan 9 2023 12:28AM
5 0
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jackj
Posts: 64 - Karma: 687
it's an interesting concept but if i want to do backcountry skiing i'd rather just go into the backcountry
Jan 10 2023 7:29PM
1 0
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