When standing in lift lines is simply too mainstream, and groomed runs are not quite challenging enough, you'll be thrilled to discover exciting alternatives to reach virtually untouched terrain and take your winter thrills to new heights.
"Making tracks" takes on new meaning when skiing and snowboarding in Colorado's backcountry and from its highest peaks. Unmatched beauty and adrenaline rushes are just around the corner, awaiting both extreme adventurers and intermediates wishing to improve their powder techniques.
Accessing the famous Colorado powder is easy when traveling with experienced guides aboard a powerful snowcat. And skiing off some of the highest helicopter-accessed peaks in the world is arguably the thrill of a lifetime. Several areas offer opportunities to reach untracked powder and new levels of excitement.
Snowcat to paradise
Tackle up to 15,000 vertical feet and 10,000 acres of glades, tree runs and open bowls just north of Steamboat Ski Area in Steamboat Springs, where more than 600 inches of Champagne Powder falls each year.
Steamboat Powder Cats provide snowcat transportation and guide service for up to 36 guests a day. Rates range from a regular season, full-day rate of $329 Monday through Thursday, to $359 Friday through Sunday, to an early season full-day rate of $259. Private Cats start at $2,590 in early season. Moonlight Descents also are available. Prices include tax, but not gratuity, and are subject to change. For information call 800-288-0543 or visit
www.steamboatpowdercats.com.
Located in southwest Colorado's rugged San Juan Mountains, near Silverton, Telluride and Durango,
El Diablo Alpine Guides will take you on a mountaineering adventure you won't forget. Accessible by snowcat, the Molas Pass backcountry boasts of long winters and cold, dry snow, and offers a vast selection of terrain for physically fit adventurers ready to ski non-stop. Daily rates range from $140 a person (four required) to private Cats at $1,200 a day. Prices are subject to change. For information call 877-241-9643 or visit
www.snowcat-powder.com.
The sky's the limit when you're heli-skiing
There's only one place in Colorado where you can experience the thrill of being transported to a sea of pristine powder at the top of the world, and that's with
Telluride Helitrax in the heart of the San Juans. The company is one of only six heli-skiing operations in the continental U.S. and the only one in Colorado. Helitrax ski guides possess intimate knowledge of secret powder stashes and breathtaking alpine bowls as they guide you across 250 square miles of heli-ski terrain. Single-day, two-day and three-day heli-skiing packages are available, along with gift certificates. For rates and information call 866-435-4754 or visit
www.helitrax.net