Colorado’s backcountry ski area is gearing up for the winter. Bluebird Backcountry announced it offers on-site, overnight accommodations for the 2022/2023 ski season. In addition, the state’s non-lift-served resort joins the Indy Pass, offering Indy pass holders two days of access with no blackout dates.
Bluebird’s new lodging offerings include a hut trip experience, where guests will skin less than two miles on pre-set skin tracks to access their choice of either a cabin or an insulated geodesic dome. Bluebird also has insulated domes located in the base area.
Other lodging options include a hostel-style cabin that can sleep up to five, with camping returning to the base area parking lot this season as well.
“Hut trips with friends and family are an integral part of the backcountry skiing experience,” said Bluebird Backcountry co-founder Jeff Woodward. “We wanted to bring that to Bluebird and give our guests a convenient place to stay where they can immerse themselves in the backcountry culture and get a better sense of our vibe and welcoming atmosphere.”
In its first year offering lodging, Bluebird will have roughly 40 beds available for arange of group sizes — from comfortable group options to hostel-style accommodations for the solo traveler. All lodging will have a heat source as well as access to a kitchen and restroom facilities. The on-mountain domes will have their own kitchen space and rustic toilet setup, whereas the base area domes and cabins will have a shared kitchen space and port-a-potties. Running water and Wi-Fi will not be available in lodging units, although Wi-Fi will be available at the communal dome in the base area for those wishing to work from Bluebird.
In line with Bluebird’s goal to build a low-impact backcountry ski area, the geodesic domes are temporary structures that Bluebird will take down each spring as part of its Leave No Trace initiative. The cabins are existing ranch cabins that are being repurposed as on-site accommodations.
For a limited time, Bluebird is offering an introductory rate of 30 percent off during their Early Bird Special through September 30. Reservations start at $59/night and are available online at bluebirdbackcountry.com.
Bluebird Backcountry also joins the Indy Pass for the 2022/2023 season to provide in-bounds backcountry ski access to Indy Passholders. The Indy Pass is North America’s fastest-growing multi-mountain pass, whose mission is to support independent ski areas in the true spirit of skiing.
“Bluebird’s mission to revive the soul of skiing aligns perfectly with the goals of the Indy Pass,” said Woodward. “We love the mom-and-pop ski area culture that the Indy Pass continues to support, and look forward to making the backcountry more accessible for this season’s Indy Passholders.”
Bluebird Backcountry also will offer a discounted lodging package for Indy pass holders, which includes a beginner backcountry lesson and gear rental, with no blackout dates, for those interested in learning how to backcountry ski or split board.
“The Indy Pass is the dominant pass in the Midwest with 26 resorts now,” said Indy Pass founder Doug Fish. “With the recent explosion of off-piste, uphill exploration, we are proud to welcome Bluebird Backcountry, the world’s first and only resort dedicated to human-powered skiing and riding.”
Learn more online at bluebirdbackcountry.com.
