Ski Loveland Pass
With so many skiing and snowboarding options in Colorado, and especially Summit County, it's hard to choose the best place to go. Ski resorts are a dime a dozen in the state and depending on if you prefer lift access or backcountry riding there are better places than others. If solitude and fresh powder turns are your idea of fun than experiencing the thrill of exploring and skiing on Loveland Pass atop the Continental Divide is an area you should consider.
To ski on Loveland Pass is one of the most exhilarating feelings after a good, solid snowfall. Located near the Loveland Ski Area west of Denver, Loveland Pass is strictly a backcountry zone and having the right knowledge of how to travel in the backcountry is imperative. Unlike ski resorts that a monitored and controlled for avalanches by ski patrol, the backcountry and Loveland Pass are not. Proper use and knowledge of a transceiver, snow shovel and probe and the ability to analyze safe terrain to ski are necessary to ensure a safe outing.
That said, Loveland Pass receives more than 400 inches of snow annually and offers everything from wide open bowls to tree skiing for free, yes, FREE. One big aspect of skiing on the pass is that you don't have to hike far for your turns. From the summit, you can hop out of your car and drop in on either side with the west side of the pass being more populated and less avalanche prone. If you want the extreme, you'll have to hike an hour or so around the cirque. From here, you can also head down into Loveland Ski Area and enjoy a run down some steep and technical terrain.
Loveland Pass is usually ridable from November to July in most years. Skiing the pass on a full moon is also a favorite of a lot of the locals and is a great way to share in the camaraderie and do something you might never have done before. The best and safest way to enjoy Loveland Pass and its panoramic views is to go with someone who is familiar with the area and its hazards. Stop in at Loveland Ski Area's visitors center for more information.
Loveland, CO Weather
Currently Outside 46FMostly cloudy. Cool. |
