Expert skills from the backcountry instructors, guides, and avalanche professionals of Bluebird Backcountry, Colorado’s only human-powered ski area.

Backcountry Tips & Tricks, Part 1: Education

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Snow covered peaks and smooth descents down untouched slopes in the backcountry is a practically irresistible pull for anyone skier or snowboarder, especially those looking to avoid resort traffic and exceedingly long lift lines. Yet the switch from resort to backcountry can be intimidating — there’s new gear, extreme elements, avalanche danger, and an added challenge of finding backcountry partners — that said, the feeling of earning your turns and riding untracked powder is worth any initial hurdles.

To help with the leap from lift to human-powered access, Bluebird’s education team compiled a 3-part series of backcountry tips for beginners. Starting with education, this blog focuses on advice about all things avalanche education and making the most of your first avalanche course. Report back for part 2 and 3 of the series where we dive into gear and personal care in the backcountry.

All Things Education

Every outdoor activity carries inherent risks. While we all hope we’ll never encounter an avalanche, hope is not enough preparation when traveling in areas with possibility of avalanches. It is imperative that you can identify avalanche terrain, get educated on how avalanches work, and understand what to do if you encounter or are caught in an avalanche. Here’s advice from experienced backcountry skiers and avalanche educators on how to get started with your avalanche education:

Before Your First Avalanche Course

  1. Start with the basics – Take an introduction to backcountry touring course before diving into your first avalanche course. There is a ton of information included in an avalanche course — becoming familiar with your gear and knowing how to travel in the snow will help you be more comfortable and thus able to absorb more information in your first avalanche course.
  2. Know your options – there are many avalanche course providers that use curriculum from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) or other curriculum developers, approved by the American Avalanche Association (A3). While A3 oversees all avalanche education taught in the US, AIARE is regarded as the gold-star by many. They offer courses across the world with various providers, such as Bluebird Backcountry — one of the nation’s leading AIARE providers, and the only ski area in the world designed for backcountry education.
  3. Prepare for your course – follow these steps to get the most out of your avalanche course:
    • Do the pre-course reading and work – it will help you better understand the in-person content and not be too overwhelmed with new vocabulary.
    • Pack a warm beverage – Bring a thermos with coffee, tea, or warm water for the field portion of your class. This will keep you warm and motivated to learn!
    • Bring snacks to share – Pack enough snacks for yourself, plus some to share. It’s always nice when someone offers you gummy bears while on the skin track.
    • Pack an extra layer – you’ll likely be standing around a fair amount and talking, so bring an extra down jacket to keep warm.

A group of students from Bluebird’s Backcountry 1 lesson practice their skinning technique. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

During Your Course

  1. Connect with your fellow students – avalanche courses are a great place to find future touring partners. Get your peers numbers and stay connected, it’s a bonus to already know that new touring partners have avalanche education equivalent to your knowledge/experience.
  2. Ask questions – no question is a dumb question. It’s likely that if you are confused about something, there’s another person in your class confused as well. Speak up and get clarity on the information you need in order to get the most out of your lesson.
  3. Use the field book – the AIARE field book is an incredible resource. Make sure to use it during your course, then return to it on future personal tours as a tool for planning, managing terrain, and riding safely.

 

Students plan their route for the day at the before heading out in an AIARE Level 2 course at Bluebird Backcountry. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

After Your First Avalanche Course

    1. Keep practicing outside the classroom – these skills are perishable if not used. Continue to use the rescue, trip planning, and navigation tools you learn in avalanche courses by getting together with friends at a beacon park, having set times for tour planning conversations, and reading Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
    2. Start small – begin by planning simple tours in terrain you know and are comfortable in. Practice your skills by touring uphill at a resort, or better yet, come to Bluebird and explore avalanche-managed terrain and refine your tour planning, navigation, and decision-making skills in the perfect environment (that includes real fun terrain).
    3. Refresh your skills each season – start with the AIARE course progression (Level 1, Avalanche Rescue, Level 2) by taking one course a season, then keep refining your skills at the beginning of each season by taking an avalanche refresher course.
    4. Track the season’s conditions – whether you tour 5 times per season or spend the whole winter in the backcountry, tracking the season’s snowpack and avalanche activity is critical for informed backcountry travel. Use your local avalanche forecasting center to read the forecast with your daily coffee, and reference the observations and forecast discussion to know what’s happening in your zone. You can also subscribe to many forecasting center’s bulletins — this ensures you get an email with the forecast each morning.
    5. Find a good mentor – the backcountry touring community can be hard to enter, but there are many seasoned riders who are apt to mentor newbies and help you build a backcountry tool kit. There are forums and mentorship programs, and Bluebird has a Ski with a Mentor lesson that facilitates learning and relationship building.

Students watch as their AIARE Level 2 instructor digs into the season’s snowpack. Photo: Erik Lambert

Avalanche education is a life-long process. If you’re new to the backcountry world, start by signing up for a recreation level 1 course. Follow the steps outlined above to set yourself up for a great course, rewarding relationship with the ski track, and a fellow community of snow-lovers. Stay tuned for part 2 of this series discussing gear tips and tricks!

onX Backcountry: The Best Way To Get Around Bluebird Backcountry

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We’re partnering with onX Backcountry to provide a convenient, online map where all of our trails are listed right in their app.

Welcome to Bluebird Backcountry, where the crowds are minimal, you’ve got the comfort of avalanche-controlled terrain, and all the uphill your legs can handle. To make it easier to plan your day and get around, onX Backcountry — the go-to trail guide and GPS mapping app for all human-powered snow adventures — now allows for easy access to view our terrain offerings. With onX Backcountry in your pocket, you’ll feel confident heading out onto the skin track and into endless powder stashes.

Bluebird riders transition at the top of West Bowl.

First Things First

Our partnership with onX Backcountry grants all 2021/2022 Bluebird Backcountry visitors and season passholders a free one-month subscription to their Premium Membership. For all of those taking an AIARE course here, you’ll have access to onX Backcountry’s suite of features for an entire year. The Premium Membership includes a Slope Angle Layer helpful for finding low-angle terrain, unlimited Offline Maps for poor cell-service areas, and SNOTEL — which provides the most up-to-date snow data in the West.

Prior to arriving at Bluebird Backcountry, follow the steps sent to you in your confirmation email. Download and experiment with the app to get familiar before you’ll need it in the field.

The Lost in the Woodwards skin track wraps through the aspens to the top of West Bowl.

All Your Routes In One Place

Using onX Backcountry, find Bluebird Backcountry by typing it into the search bar. Once there, you’ll see things such as skin tracks, various trails, zones marked open or closed, and other difficulty indicators throughout the map. This will be your go-to throughout your day. Make sure to toggle Tracker on for a readout of your elevation gain, speed, and distance.

A guest rides down a mellow slope in a Backcountry Lesson at Bluebird.

Slope Angle

While we mitigate all avalanche risk within the bounds of our ski area, you’ll be able to access the onX Slope Angle Layer to evaluate inclines of a given slope. This is a great time to test yourself on evaluating the angle of a given slope for when it’s time to head into the backcountry.

The Portal at the base area of Bluebird Backcountry.

Basemaps

The onX Basemaps are a great source of topographic information: the satellite view outlines terrain information such as tree density, and displays points of interest like breweries — because, après.

OnX Backcountry – the best navigation tool for winter recreation.

Last Thing

Before you come on out, make sure to download Bluebird as an Offline Map. Signal can be spotty, so it’s best to get that out of the way before you start putting in laps.

For more help, check out onX Backcountry’s support center.

Crush Your First Winter Camping Trip

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Cold weather camping is a whole different beast — after all, it’s hard enough to want to leave the confines of our cozy sleeping bag even on a high alpine start in the summer. While the thought of roughing it in frigid temps may sound daunting, there are simple ways to embrace the chill and appreciate the facets of cold weather camping that make it so special. Read on for all the reasons you can – and SHOULD – crush your first winter camping trip at Camp Bluebird.

Location, Location, Location

Just like camping the rest of the year, be sure to park your rig in an amazing spot! You’ll want stellar views, a quiet place away from busy roads, and easy access to outdoor activities. Luckily, Bluebird’s new camping spot offers all three.

Now available in the main parking area at Bluebird’s base, your morning view will be the sun spilling over the glistening snowy peaks of Bear Mountain. More of a night owl? We promise our starry night skies will beat the socks off of anything you’ve seen in the Front Range. And thanks to our new location, you’re tucked away from road noise for a quiet and peaceful camping experience. But the best part of all is that you have zero commute to the best backcountry skiing northwest Colorado has to offer. No race to the parking lot, no I-70 traffic — just first dibs on powder turns all weekend long.

Camp with Amenities

We all have that friend on a camping trip who needs access to a bathroom every morning no matter what. Bathroom lovers rejoice, because Bluebird has you covered. Portable restrooms are available for campers all hours of the day and night, in addition to other superb amenities.

In the 2021/2022 Season, Bluebird has added a larger community area with picnic tables and a communal fire pit. So you have plenty of room in the evening to prep and cook your 12-ounce sirloin (well-deserved) or sip cider by the fire as you debate with friends which slope had the best powder turns of the day.

We also have a camp host on site all season long, so if your car battery tanks or your ride gets stuck in the fresh pow, we’re here to help.

Bring the Heat

Perhaps we’re stating the obvious, but staying warm is a top priority for winter camping. Luckily, keeping toasty doesn’t mean you have to have a tricked out camper van. With just a few steps, you, too, can sleep pleasantly through the night.

  • First, pack a warm bag! For a general rule of thumb, go with a sleeping bag that is rated for ten degrees lower than the outside temperatures. So if nighttime temps are dropping to 20 degrees, then go with a 10-degree bag — or a 0-degree bag if you run cold.
  • Second, sleeping pads are important for maximizing warmth and comfort too. If you don’t have a four-season pad, then stack two sleeping pads on top of each other or lay down a blanket for additional insulation.
  • Third, get into bed warm. Spend your evenings around the Bluebird shared campfire, telling ski stories before retreating to your sleeping bag. When you do turn in for the night, do a round of pushups to increase your body temperature before crawling into bed. You can also pour hot water into a Nalgene and tuck it away at your feet for an insulated bottle that will put off heat all night long.

Fuel Up

Unless you’re training for Everest or an intense winter backpacking expedition, there’s no need to pack light. That means you can travel with your gourmet espresso machine or your portable grill to start the day right. In fact, we encourage it, because fueling well is essential to shredding the slopes all day long.

But in case you forget your cooking fuel at home or you just want to hop in the car and go, we have you covered. Breakfast burritos and hot coffee are available for purchase every morning, and we have a variety of camping friendly foods available throughout the day as well. Have a suggestion on snacks and foods you’d like to see more of? Let us know over at Bluebird Backcountry Community.

Bring (or Meet) a Friend

Epic adventures build character — and friendship. So grab a friend and plan your first (or your 50th) winter camping trip at Bluebird Backcountry together. Camping at Bluebird costs just $25 per vehicle, so having a secondary heat-producer in your rig comes at no additional cost.

Or if you’re visiting solo, we love that too. We’re all about community at Bluebird, so bring yourself and s’more supplies and we guarantee you’ll be making friends and meeting new ski buddies in no time.

two women backcountry touring

Build the Stoke

Like any great adventure, the key to winter camping starts with getting stoked! Set a goal for the amount of vert you and a partner want to ski over the weekend, or test your skills on one of Bluebird’s new steeps. Make it your objective to get first tracks down The West Bowl on a powder day, or see who can transition the fastest at the top of Bear Mountain.

Whatever the reason, your winter camping will be all the more fun when it’s paired with a stoke-filled objective at Colorado’s one and only backcountry ski resort. Want more ideas? Check out our Events Calendar for a list of awesome activities happening at Bluebird.

Ready to toss the camping gear in the car and come stay with us? Purchase your Day Passes or Multi-Packs and reserve your camping experience today!

Need more info? Visit our Camping Page for more information and FAQs.

Give the gift of an unforgettable experience this winter

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Gifts for Backcountry Beginners

Whether your loved one is new to touring, you’re itching to get your kids into the backcountry, or you want to give an unforgettable experience to someone close… they will love it.

 

Gifts for Seasoned Riders

Bluebird is not just for beginners. With tons of new expert terrain and advanced courses for all levels, you can find the right experience for any backcountry enthusiast.

Gifts for Your Four-legged Friends

Don’t forget to share the holiday cheer with your pups this year.

Staff Picks

Here’s what our staff is extra stoked about this winter.

Not sure what they will want?

Give a digital Gift Voucher.

No need to fret about picking the perfect gift, let them choose their own adventure! We’ve made it easy… get a gift voucher that’s good for anything in our shop: from passes to courses to merchandise. Vouchers range from $25 to $500.

Ultimate Partner Gifts

Set up your best backcountry buds for the Best. Winter. Ever.

Stocking Stuffers

Looking for something small but special? We’ve got you covered with the perfect options for skiers and riders.

How to Properly Store Your Skis or Snowboard Over the Summer

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To truly love your gear is to care for it during the times when it’s easy to prioritize (i.e. powder days) and the times when it’s not (i.e. mountain biking season). An easy way to show that love: Store your skis or snowboard with care to ensure your gear outlasts the summer heat.

Before you give your backcountry skis or splitboard one last loving caress for the season, there are a couple of things you should do first. Follow these six tips, and your planks will remain snappy, supple, and damage-resistant for seasons to come.

skier looks over the edge of a rocky couloir

Spring skiing: Sun, glory—and plenty of mud and core-shots.🤘 Photo: Lucas Mouttet

1. Clean ‘em up.

If you did your fair share of spring skiing, you’ve probably got some mud and pine needles stuck in your bindings. Scrub them down with water and a clean rag. (Try to avoid using soap or detergents on your bindings.)

2. Scrub off any rust.

Use a scouring pad to remove any rust from your edges to prevent corrosion during storage. Fix any obvious burrs. Better yet: Go ahead and get your edges sharpened and base tuned now to avoid long wait times in fall.

A ski tech in a blue jacket tunes a pair of skis

Get your skis professionally tuned over the summer to give yourself a head start on next season. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

3. Treat Your Base.

If you live somewhere with hot summers and dry air, you may want to treat your base before you store your skis or snowboard for the season.

  1. Scrape off any residual wax or skin glue. Wipe down your base with base cleaner.
  2. When the base is clean and dry, fix any core shots.
  3. Cover the entire length of the base with a thick layer of hot wax. Use a soft storage wax, usually labeled as warm-weather wax or base-prep wax.
  4. Leave the wax on. It will keep your planks from drying out or becoming brittle over the summer. (When the snow starts falling again, scrape off the storage wax and re-wax with a temperature-appropriate product. Voila: You’re ready for your best season yet.)

4. Take off your bindings.

If you want to get serious about improving the longevity of your backcountry gear, store your skis or snowboard separate from your bindings. Bindings create tension through the base, and leaving them on could alter the shape of your skis or board over time. Be sure to store your bindings somewhere they won’t get lost or crushed. You may also want to consider loosening them or turning down the DIN to reduce tension even further.

Skis and snowboards in storage lean against a wall indoors

Store your skis or snowboards in a cool, dry corner where they won’t be knocked over or disturbed during the summer. Photo: Erik Lambert

5. Find a safe spot.

Don’t store your skis or snowboard in rooftop boxes, attics, or other places that get ultra-hot in the summer. Instead, find a closet or a cool, dry corner of the garage or basement. Make sure your skis aren’t tightly strapped, compressed by locked-together brakes, or hanging from their tips when you put them away; they should be in a neutral, relaxed position. If you keep them in a bag, make sure both your skis and the bag are completely dry first. Otherwise, you risk rust.

6. Wish your winter gear sweet dreams.

Sing your skis a lullaby, wish them well—whatever you need to do to ease the pain of goodbyes. After all, winter will be here before you know it, and you’ll be reunited with your old friends soon enough.

Want to give you and your skis something to look forward to? Bluebird Backcountry 2021/22 Season Passes are on sale now!

a small bird sits atop a pair of red skis under sunny, blue skies

Your backcountry gear worked hard for you this season. Thank it by storing your skis or snowboard with care. Photo: Logan Mayer via Unsplash

 

Full Moon, Full Value

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It was only a few years ago that I learned a universal truth: the full moon always rises in the east at roughly the same time that the sun sets in the west. It makes for quite the year-round tradition. When the sky is clear, I gravitate to beach bonfires, dusk hikes, night floats, and untouched slopes to watch the old man peek out from behind the dunes, pines, flatwater, or cornices.

No matter the season, such a tradition is best when shared. Fortunately my cousins and closest friends remind me of the upcoming lunar cycle as frequently as I remind them.

Our skins silently press a track. We meander through aspens that tower taller than usual. Purple and blue pastels fill the atmosphere. In that magical hour, when there’s a chance to pause and breathe deeply, our skins slow. We stomp and settle in high on the ridge. For a moment we commune with Bear and Diamond Mountains, Whiteley nodding in the distance. Kat pours steaming Glühwein. No one objects, and the drink inspires a pivot to friendly chatter and beginnings of bonds among strangers.

As true darkness sneaks in, we make a last push to the top of West Bowl. We flip on headlamps and rip skins. Thick anticipation builds as we prepare to drop in to that first dark steep. When one goes, all. A zigzag of light and crisscrossing tracks swoosh the face. We throw aspen shadows in every direction. Anticipation mutates to euphoria. Like a pack raised together from birth, we hoot and howl at the emerging moon, hoping the darkness below is a never-ending run.

This was our February full moon event at Bluebird Backcountry — and my favorite run of the year. I look forward to another lap and meeting you this Saturday, March 27, for our next full moon event (tickets here). My cousin missed the last one… I’m texting him now.

— Erik Lambert, Bluebird Co-founder

Photos: Erik Lambert

5 Ways to Ski More Sustainably

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As big proponents of human-powered recreation (after all, Bluebird Backcountry is the only human-powered ski area in the US), we’ve long wondered whether or not backcountry skiing is more sustainable than resort skiing.

With lifts and snow-makers running all day and the heat cranking in big lodges, it would be easy to imagine that ski resorts have a huge carbon footprint. Likewise, it would follow that eschewing those resorts should come with a lot of carbon savings.

The truth is that both backcountry and resort recreation result in a lot of carbon emissions, but not from the ski areas themselves. Most of the carbon cost of a ski day comes from lodging and transportation.

That’s good news and bad news. The good news is that we don’t have to feel guilty about frequenting our favorite resorts, which are great venues for learning downhill techniques in an accessible, avalanche-controlled environment. The bad news is that most skiers and riders have big carbon footprints, regardless of venue, and we all need to step up our game to ensure that we’re enjoying the mountains in an eco-friendly way.

So, is backcountry skiing more sustainable than resort skiing? Sure, but only by a little bit. Here’s what you can do to ski more sustainably—and what Bluebird is doing to hold up our end of the deal.

5 Ways to Ski More Sustainably

1. Take it Backcountry

Human-powered transportation for the (environmental) win. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

OK, we know we just said that lifts aren’t skiing’s main source of carbon output. But groomers, lifts, snow-makers, and gondolas all require a lot of energy to operate, and a lot of resources to build and maintain. (Some resorts are working to up their renewable energy use, but that can be a long process.)

Plus, wide-open ski-resort groomers are often created by clear-cutting strips of mountainside. That removes swathes of valuable woodland habitat from the landscape.

Backcountry skiing and splitboarding not only let you ski more sustainably by saving on fossil fuels, but they also help adventurers establish a closer connection with nature—the first step in becoming passionate about protecting wild places in the future.

(New to the sport? As a patrolled, avalanche-mitigated, lift-free ski area, Bluebird Backcountry is a great place to take a clinic, test out some rental gear, or otherwise try backcountry skiing or splitboarding in a safer environment. Bonus: The base area’s electronics and lighting are entirely solar-powered.)

Bluebird Backcountry’s efficient, solar-powered layout provides plenty of comfort while keeping our energy needs low—one way we help guests ski more sustainably. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

2. Carpool to the slopes

Right now, COVID-19 is a big barrier to carpooling. But it’s never too early to make a resolution to pack your car with buddies the next time you head to the mountains in “normal times.”

Carpooling not only drastically reduces your personal carbon footprint; it alleviates traffic problems for everybody else, too.

(Pro Tip: Get a 4-Pack or 10-Pack of day passes next time you bring your crew to Bluebird Backcountry. The passes are transferable, so you and your friends can all save money by going in together.)

3. Be Mindful of Your Plastic Waste

The Bluebird Snack Yurt uses compostable dishware from Eco-Products and reclaimed wood trays from Crosscut Reclaimed. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

A great way to ski more sustainably is to travel more sustainably.

Many of us are really good about bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, or bringing our coffee to work in our own travel mug. But for a lot of us, that all goes out the window when we travel.

You can reduce your carbon footprint (and save money) by packing your lunch in a reusable container and bringing your own coffee to the slopes in a thermos instead of buying something wrapped in styrofoam or plastic on the road.

At Bluebird, we balance convenience and consciousness by serving all our base-area food—like s’mores, local breakfast burritos, hot coffee, and chili—in compostable dishware by Eco-Products. Our food trays are also made from reclaimed wood. (Locals Meg and Jack Norton at Crosscut Reclaimed created the trays as well as our Mountain Portal, which is made from sustainably harvested beetle-kill pine.)

4. Reduce Your Vacation Commute

The best way to reduce your commute? Cozy up in a four-season camper just two miles from the Bluebird base area. Photo: Adventure Lodge Camper Van Rentals

The best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to pack your ski or snowboard days back-to-back. Instead of driving back and forth from the mountain every day or every weekend, turn a trip into a longer vacation. Then, book lodging as close to the ski area as possible. Better yet: Go in with some friends to reduce your lodging footprint.

At Bluebird, we offer affordable camping just 2 miles from the Bluebird base. If you have a good four-season setup, camping at Bluebird is hands-down the most eco-friendly option for an extended weekend.

5. Eat Local

The base area may be fueled by sunlight, but as for the staff? We’re fueled by s’mores. 😎 Photo: Justin Wilhelm

One of the best ways to ski more sustainably is to travel more sustainably. Opt for local meat or produce and locally sourced supplies, which have a lower carbon footprint from reduced shipping requirements.

At Bluebird, we source all the ingredients for our hot food from the local general store, the Kremmling Mercantile. The snacks we serve at our base are also from local brands like Honey Stinger or KeenOne, most of which are based 50 miles or fewer from Bluebird Backcountry.

On Sundays, we offer another fun dining option, too: In the afternoon, Elevated Independent Energy powers up their solar-powered grill to make lunch for Bluebird guests. (Elevated Independent Energy has been providing all the solar power that keeps the lights on at the base area—another big sustainability win!)

Elevated Independent Energy used their solar-powered grill to cook up Sunday lunches for Bluebird guests all season long. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

12 Ski Bum-Worthy Setups for Winter Camping

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As the first human-powered ski area in the US, Bluebird Backcountry is all about making skiing and splitboarding feel accessible, fun, and adventurous. One of our favorite initiatives to fulfill that mission this year: Providing access to affordable camping close to the ski area.

But, as you probably realize, it gets pretty darn cold in the mountains in winter. Fortunately, a ton of intrepid skiers and riders have braved the temperatures this season to show us all how it’s done.

Whether you’re suspicious about the idea of winter camping for fun, or just trying to fine tune your own setup, look to these folks for inspiration. Here are some of the coolest rigs we’ve seen this season.

A Ford van setup for winter skiing.

Photo: Justin Wilhelm

1. This oldster with character.

Meet Kandy, a 1977 Ford Quadravan. She’s got character, she’s got a few mechanical quirks, and she’s been a regular at Bluebird all season.

A dog lounges in a heated van built out for winter camping

Photo: Justin Wilhelm

2. This photographer’s paradise.

“I recently installed a solar power system and a diesel heater that I really enjoy having during these cold winter months. Being able to stay heated, charged and connected is essential to what I do here at Bluebird,” says Bluebird’s resident ski photographer Justin Wilhelm.

Skis lean against a ford van used for winter camping

Photo: Menno Sennesael

3. This ski-instructor home base.

Menno Sennesael, a Bluebird backcountry education instructor, has been based out of his Ford for the last year and a half. “Nothing like having my ski stuff with me at all times—and getting ski clothes and boots on from the indoor comfort of my van while it’s storming or super frigid outside,” he says.

4. This slopeside patio.

This guy went all in on the Titus rental ski package—and it looks to us like the mobile fire pit definitely clinched the deal. Even his pup is getting in on some butt-warming action.

A winter tent beside a snowy truck at sunrise

Photos: Isabel Gary Harper

5. This storm-ready mansion.

Talk about living large. Sophie and Isabel brought some burly winter tents (and a wood stove!) when they came to Bluebird in February.

A ram dodge promaster setup for winter camping with colorful quilts

Photo: Corey Buhay

6. This cozy number.

Bluebird storytelling lead Corey Buhay says this RAM Promaster kept her warm in -12°F temps the last time she visited Bluebird. “I usually put foam sleeping pads over the windows, and the rest is double-insulated,” she explains.

7. This immaculate gear closet.

It’s hard to keep a van clean, but these folks are putting the rest of us to shame. Bonus points for the sweet ski rack and sleek cabinetry, something we’ve seen in a lot of Adventure Lodge’s winter rental vans.

River rocks warming on a propane stove

Photo: Nichol Wolverton

8. This minivan heating hack.

Nichol Wolverton didn’t want to install a propane heater in his minivan, but he did want to find a way to stay warmer in Kremmling’s below-zero temps. So, he installed a carbon-monoxide detector and tried this: “I found a cast-iron skillet and some nice river rocks. I placed the rocks in the cast iron and turned the burner on low, “ he says. “The rocks heat up and radiate some heat, even once I turn off the stove. This setup has kept me cozy and warm even in the windiest and coldest weather!

9. This rental with the swanky kitchen.

Who doesn’t love a good backsplash? Plus, this Native Campervans RAM Promaster has a built-in heater and snow tires—ideal for winter adventure.

Skiing skins dry in a warm winter van setup

Photo: Tanya Thomas

10. This mobile bar.

Chad and Tanya Thomas camped at Bluebird during one of our first big storms. Their drink of choice: a maple cinnamon old-fashioned. (And are those oatmeal raisin cookies we spot in the background?)

11. This family vacation done right: The queen-size bed in this Escape Camper Vans rental is big enough for you and the kids. And the twinkle lights are a nice touch, too.

A pyramid tent with a propane heaterA pyramid tent setup for winter camping

12. This example of next-level badassery. Billy Hughston, now our personal hero, decided to brave the elements to test out this pyramid shelter-propane heater combo. The verdict: “The wind was gusting to 40 mph that weekend so it was quite the experiment, but I thought it worked out okay,” he says.

a snowy camp site at bluebird backcountry

The Bluebird Backcountry camp spot is quiet, roomy, and perfectly situated for amazing sunsets. Photo: Justin Wilhelm


Want to get a taste of the ski bum life for yourself?

This season, Bluebird Backcountry offers camping just 2 miles from our base area. With the below-zero nighttime temps around here, we do recommend a four-season setup. Learn how to winterize your own vehicle, or camp in luxury by renting from one of these guys. (Be sure to mention Bluebird for a discount!):

Native Camper Vans • Denver, CO • 10% off rentals with code Bluebird

A-Lodge Vans • Denver, CO • 15% off with code bluebird2021 (2-day minimum)

Titus Adventure Co. • Denver, CO • 15% off with code BLUEBIRD

Escape Camper Vans • Denver, CO • Discounted rates and complimentary bedding + kitchen supplies with code BLUEBIRD

All Our Secret Tricks to Warm Up Cold Hands and Feet

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When the mercury dips, keeping your fingers and toes warm can feel like a full-time job. If numb digits are usually the crux of your ski day, heed these tips.

Tricks to Warm Up Cold Hands

1. Bring hand warmers.

Throw a pair in your pockets for warm-up breaks, or use them to pre-heat your spare gloves. (Make sure to open up the warming packets an hour or two before you expect to start skiing so they have time to activate.)

2. Heat up your core.

Often, cold hands are a symptom of a cold body. Add an insulated layer and/or start skinning. As soon as the blood starts flowing, your hands should warm up.

A thin touring glove with a tacky leather or synthetic palm can prevent overgripping. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

3. Loosen your grip.

Fingers go numb while touring? You may be over-gripping your poles. The squeezing action can impair your circulation. Try using a thinner glove, or one with better grip so you can relax your hands.

4. Do some arm circles.

Windmill your arms in circles as big and as fast as you can manage. The shoulder workout will warm you up, and the force of the swing will force warm blood into your fingers.

5. Keep spare gloves in your jacket.

Bring a separate pair of downhill gloves (touring gloves tend to get sweaty). While you tour, keep your downhill gloves in your pockets, or between your baselayer and midlayer. By the time you transition to downhill, they’ll be warm. (Stash your touring gloves in the same spot to keep them toasty until the next transition.)

Thick mittens with gauntlets are our go-to for warm fingers and wrists. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

6. Upgrade your handwear.

Cold hands? You may just need to level-up your gloves. A thicker or more wind-proof glove can make a huge difference. Mittens are also vastly warmer than fingered gloves. You can also try purchasing a glove with a long gauntlet—the skin on your wrists is thin, and you can lose a lot of heat if it’s exposed.

7. Put your hands in your armpits.

When your fingers start to get numb, the tried-and-true trick is to stop, put on your puffy jacket, take off your gloves, and put your hands against the warmest parts of your body (your armpits, neck, or groin). Keep them there until they feel fully warmed, even if it takes a few minutes.

8. Do the penguin.

There are a lot of circulation-promoting dance moves that winter enthusiasts rely on to warm their hands. Or favorite: The penguin. With your arms against your sides, straighten your palms at a right angle to your sides. Shrug your shoulders up and down. You should be able to feel warm blood shunting down through your wrists.

Take lots of breaks for hot tea. Photo: Jonas Jacobsson via Unsplash

9. Stay Hydrated.

Hydration makes a big difference in your circulation. Stop regularly for tea or hot cocoa breaks. Also make sure you’re eating plenty of fats and carbohydrates throughout the day so your body has enough fuel to keep itself warm.

Tricks to Warm Up Cold Feet

1. Loosen Your Boots.

Restoring circulation can do wonders for cold toes. If that doesn’t help, you may be wearing socks that are too thick, or you might have the wrong size boot. (Need to figure out your size? Take some of our Dynafit rentals for a spin.)

Unbuckle your boots when you’re touring to improve circulation. Photo: Justin Wilhelm

2. Do the Hypothermia Dance.

It’s a time-honored classic, you look really cool doing it, and it actually works.

3. Squat it out.

First, loosen your boots. Then, do 10 air squats and 10 leg swings. Repeat until you feel the warm blood flowing to your extremities.

4. Add an extra pants layer.

You can have the warmest boots in the world, but if you’re losing heat through your legs, you’re still going to have cold feet. The secret is proper layering. Add thicker baselayers or zip on some shells to keep in the warmth.

Wear shell pants over warm baselayers to keep legs (and therefore feet) toasty. Photo: Doug McLennan

5. Bring extra socks.

Nothing saps heat like damp clothing. When you transition, swap sweaty touring socks for a fresh pair of woolies. Your feet will thank you.

6. Go to extreme measures.

Got chronically cold feet? Heated socks are a thing now (and they work). What a time to be alive.

10 Backcountry Touring Tips for Happier Dogs

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Done right, backcountry touring with your dog can be the best thing ever. Frolicking in the snow, exploring deep forests and rolling hills with your best friend—sounds pretty idyllic, right? But between cold weather, deep powder, and sharp ski edges, there’s some dangerous stuff out there. Here are our tips for keeping safe next time you go backcountry touring with your dog.

(Need a place to practice? Come to Bluebird Backcountry, Colorado’s first backcountry-only ski area, on select Mondays for Dog Days at Bluebird. All you need is a well-behaved pup and a doggie day pass.)

1. Make sure your dog can handle the cold.

First things first: To go backcountry touring with you, your dog needs to be able to handle the chilly temps. Cold-weather breeds with thick coats are a good bet. Medium- to large-sized athletic breeds with a doggie jacket and/or booties can also do well in the snow. Just keep an eye out for shivers and frozen paws, and have extra layers on hand for your dog just in case.

A doggie jacket is essential for keeping short-haired dogs cozy and warm. Photo: Jeff Woodward

2. Get your pooch in shape.

Because your pup won’t have the luxury of flotation, he or she will need to be in peak physical condition to post-hole all day and run down the slopes after you. Can your dog go on a five-mile run with you and still have energy for more? Perfect.

3. Brush up on your commands.

Before you head into the backcountry, make sure your pup sticks by your side and returns when called. Downhill skier coming in hot? To avoid an accident, you’ll need a fast response from your pup—even if that means abandoning a squirrel mid-stride. Take an obedience class if you need to, or devote some time to backcountry-specific dog training.

Before backcountry touring, train your dog to come when called and stay by your side. Photo: Justin Wilhelm.

4. Ease into it.

Your dog needs to build comfort and confidence around skis just as you do. Plus, it can take some time to teach your dog to keep some distance from your ski edges, which have been known to cut legs and paws. Cross-country skiing or backcountry touring on gently rolling terrain can be a good place to ease in.

5. Pack a canine emergency kit.

In addition to a doggie jacket and booties, we recommend carrying a water bowl, poop bags, and treats for your dog, as well as a leash for touring or navigating crowded trailheads. You should also bring a small veterinary first-aid kit, and make sure you know how to treat cold-related injuries, lacerations from ski edges, and other common canine injuries. Here’s what we have in our kit:

  • An ACE bandages
  • Kinesiology tape
  • Gauze
  • A syringe for flushing wounds
  • Tweezers
  • Extra treats

Put your pup on a leash if you know he’ll go nuts and tire himself out on his own. Photo: Kat Ciamaichelo

6. Strategize for safe skiing

Even a well-behaved dog can wear himself out or accidentally run in front of other skiers. While skinning, put high-energy dogs on a leash to ensure they maintain a steady, sustainable pace. On the downhill, try this: Grab your dog at the top of a pitch. Have your partner ski or ride down. Then, let your dog run down to your partner. Once your partner has your dog, head down to meet them.

That way, you never have to worry about dodging your dog, and your dog doesn’t have to worry about unpredictable edges.

7. Listen to your dog.

OK, so your pooch might not be weighing in on snowpack stability or avalanche hazards, but she’ll still communicate her needs and comfort level. If your dog is slowing, shivering, or looking nervous, take a break. Administer water and treats as needed, and call it a day if your dog is too cold or exhausted to continue.

8. Practice good backcountry touring etiquette.

Before you go backcountry touring with your dog, make sure dogs are allowed in the area, and check local leash laws. On the skintrack, keep your dog by your side, and be mindful to pull him or her aside for passing skiers. And, of course, always pick after your pup (and carry that bag with you rather than leaving it beside the trail.)

Your dog needs to stay fueled just as much as you do. Photo: Grant Robbins at The Elevated Alpine

9. Stay fueled and hydrated.

On touring days, your pup will burn a lot of extra calories, just like you do. Take breaks to offer snacks and water every lap or two.

10. Know when to leave your dog at home.

If you’ve ever been postholing after a storm, you know how exhausting fresh powder can be. Consider giving your dog a day off if there’s deep snow or avalanche danger, or if you’re skiing in unfamiliar terrain for the first time. And, of course, if your dog isn’t responsive enough to stay safe in the backcountry, the best thing for both your safety is to leave him or her at home.

 

Cover photo by Grant Robbins at The Elevated Alpine.