A few years ago Jeff Woodward and Erik Lambert reached out to me to discuss their idea of creating a ski area without chairlifts. It seemed like a crazy vision, but these guys were full of passion, ideas and enthusiasm. It was very clear they were smart, creative and driven. Since then we have talked, emailed and met a few times. They asked dozens, if not hundreds, of questions about what it was like to manage A-Basin. I was not surprised to see they created the revolutionary Bluebird Backcountry, a ski area without lifts.
Yesterday, Kay and I went skiing there. We had a great time. The area is located on Bear Mountain between Kremmling and Steamboat. The mountain is mostly north facing and has a very cool layout with one side, West Bowl, having a bit gentler terrain and the other side, Bear Mountain, being bigger and steeper. We climbed both sides and took a total of three skin/ski laps over four hours ascending 2,100 vertical feet. On a nearly perfect, windless, bluebird (yes, I use that term a lot) day, we enjoyed lunch on the summit of Bear Mountain. The snow and terrain were excellent. The "Lost in the Woodwards" skin track through the aspens was our favorite. In West Bowl there was a geodesic dome tent / warming hut called "The Perch" that served up bacon. Brilliant.
I think the area appeals to anyone that wants to wander around the hills on their skis or snowboard. It is especially great for people entering the backcountry scene. Not only is there beginner friendly terrain, but they offer equipment rentals and a wide variety of lessons, clinics, women's clinics and avalanche courses. The vibe of the place is welcoming and incredible. The employees were authentically friendly and helpful. We had fun catching up with two of my old ski patrol buddies from 30 years ago, Pat Ahern and Bob Tierney, who are patrolling the mountain.
While COVID may be holding them back a little bit, they have a comfortable base area set up for after ski socializing. When we visit next season, we look forward to hanging around the campfire, sharing a beverage, maybe listening to a little music and re-telling the day's adventures. Jeff and Erik have built something very special. They have a great team. Our visit was wonderful. In my mind Bluebird Backcountry is a big success and offers an experience many are looking for. I encourage you to check it out, bluebirdbackcountry.com.
As we left that afternoon, a bald eagle flew right over us.
