Bluebird Backcountry announced that it has extended the lease at its location and plans to call Bear Mountain home for the foreseeable future.
The no-chairlifts, ski-patrolled backcountry ski area is the first of its kind. Located 40 minutes from Steamboat Springs and Kremmling, Colorado, Bear Mountain is “close enough to be convenient, but far enough to feel light years away from the I-70 corridor,” according to Bluebird Backcountry Co.-founder Erik Lambert.
With a longer-term lease in hand, the early stage business expects to make investments to the property that will improve access and skiing. Details of these improvements will be announced over the summer.
The centerpiece of the Bear Mountain property is its namesake peak, which straddles the Continental Divide and tops out at 9,845 feet. Those eager to ski or split-board upwards are rewarded with incredible views of the Flat Tops Wilderness, iconic Rabbit Ears Peak, as well as Bluebird’s 2020 pilot location, Whiteley Peak.
The ski area includes 1,200 acres of beginner meadows, aspen glades of every angle, and steep couloirs in-bounds—plus thousands of more acres that guests can access with a Bluebird guide.
As interest in backcountry skiing accelerates, the “in-bounds backcountry” ski area has welcomed and educated thousands of skiers and riders of all backcountry experience levels since its opening day at Bear Mountain on December 31, 2020. This season, in addition to expanding its rental fleet and suite of backcountry lessons, Bluebird offered AIARE avalanche courses and numerous clinics and mentorship opportunities.
A limited number of season passes for next winter will go on sale at bluebirdbackcountry.com starting in early April. Season passes will continue to include free nights of camping as well as a free buddy pass day. “There will be a couple new pass options, plus one or two surprises,” Lambert adds.
Bluebird Backcountry’s current season has been through April 4.
