Berthoud Pass is located 65 miles west of Denver just outside of Winter Park, Colorado. The ski area opened in 1937 and was a popular destination among advanced skiers. It had a vertical drop of 1,500 feet and received 500 inches of snow on average every year. In fact most of the runs are the ski area were natural, made from avalanche slides.

Today the only thing that remains as proof of a once existing ski resort are many chairlift town foundations. But the runs are still fantastic and offer a great time for backcountry skiing or boarding. You can ski from the top of the pass or after a bit of hiking. To ski the most vertical drop a car at the bottom of the pass to use as a shuttle back up. Be aware that the area is not controlled for avalanche activity, nor does any sort of ski patrol exist. Make sure to know your backcountry skills, be confident in your backcountry partners, and know where you are going before you venture into the backcountry.