What to Expect at Bluebird Backcountry
Come ski and ride with us!
1. Plenty of Parking
From Highway 14, our slopeside parking lot is located 2 miles down the access road. Please note that the Google Maps pin for Bluebird is set at this intersection. The drive down the access road will add 5-10 minutes to your total drive time.
When you arrive at Bluebird Backcountry, follow the signs to the recommended parking spots (based on your vehicle type) in our spacious parking lot, gather your gear, and head over to the base area.
Bluebird will keep the road plowed and passable from 7am-5pm, Thursday through Monday and from 3pm-5pm on Wednesdays. There is no snow plowing from 5pm to 7am.
*We highly recommend high clearance vehicles with all-wheel drive for accessing the parking lot.
2. Contactless Check-in
We’ve reimagined our check-in process to be completely contactless. The first day on site, you’ll walk up to the kiosk, get your pass, and be ready to hit the slopes in no time. After that, you can reload your pass online to avoid going inside at all! Hint: To speed this process along, make sure you’ve signed all the appropriate waivers and uploaded your photo to your pass online before you arrive on your first day.
3. Meet the Mountain
Once you’ve checked in, you’ll be directed to our Mountain Orientation Station, where a greeter will tell you all about the best trails, explain what the day’s conditions are like, and introduce you to our passport program. If you’ve reserved rentals, the greeter will direct you to pick up your gear.
3a. Signed Up for a Lesson?
The Mountain Orientation Station greeter will direct you to meet up with your lesson group. After a short meet-and-greet with your gear at the base, you and your lesson group (six students or fewer) will head out to spend the rest of the morning on the peaceful slopes of Bear Mountain.
3b. Here to Explore?
You’ll show your beacon, probe, and shovel to the attendant at the mountain entrance, and then you’re ready to hit the skin track. Eventually, you’ll find yourself at one of our mid-mountain warming huts (“The Perch”), where you can warm up around the social-distance-friendly fire pit, check in with ski patrol if you have questions, or grab a cup of hot cocoa.
4. Time to Rip Skins
Whether you skinned up on your own or in a lesson, you’ll have earned your turns! You can rip laps in West Bowl, ski the steeps on Bear Mountain, or take a tree run on the Far Side. We bet you’ll want to do it again… and again.
5. Back to the Base
Back at the Base Lodge, you’ll check back in at The Portal and drop off any rental gear. Then, crack a beer or mix up a mug of hot cocoa as you chat with your new friends around the outdoor fire pit. Most weekends, you will find live music outside along with some other fun après events.
6. Cozy Up for the Night
If you’ve got a four-season camping setup, stop by the lodge to arrange your campsite for the night. For indoor accommodations, head into Kremmling or drive over Rabbit Ears Pass to stay in Steamboat Springs.
NEW! We are excited to offer on-site, overnight accommodations for the 2022/2023 season. Book your stay in advance, or check availability when you arrive — just in case you are having too much fun and want to spend the night!
7. Get Ready for Another Bluebird Day!
Wherever you spend the night, we look forward to catching you on your next visit to Bluebird Backcountry!
However you spend your day at Bluebird, we know it’ll be an awesome one!
Don’t just take it from us. See what our guests had to say last season:
