Ski or Snowboard Berthoud Pass Colorado

Berthoud Pass, Colorado

Description

Berthoud Pass is close to Colorado's Front Range and provides multiple options for ski touring routes.

Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. At 11,370 Berthoud Pass crosses the continental divide. From the top of the pass you can do shuttle runs down the south side of the pass. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs.

Down the pass towards Winter Park is the Current Creek pull-off and is another good option for out-and-back tours.

Another option further down the road is Second Creek. Both Current Creek and Second Creek are good options if it's windy. They are lower on the pass and have good routes that are protected by trees.

The routes and elevation gain vary based on the amount of time you have and the snow conditions. Be sure to bring your avalanche gear and check the avalanche forecast for the Berthoud Pass before you go.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Snowboarding

Skiing

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Forest

Scenic

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Parry Peak

The trek to Parry Peak crosses three other peaks (Colorado Mines Peak, Mt. Flora, and Mt. Eva) along the Rocky Mountains. Begin your hike around sunrise as inclement weather often rolls in during the late afternoon. The trail is extremely rocky and steep. From the Berthoud Pass parking lot, follow the Continental Divide Trail south for 2 miles up to Colorado Mines Peak. From there, head east a...

Snowshoe Mount Flora

My friend Austin and I hiked up to Mt Flora last year on what was probably the coldest day ever. Ever? It was 9 degrees at the Berthoud Pass parking lot and we had 32mph winds nearly the whole way. We estimated the temp to be around -28ºF with the windchill... brrrr!DirectionsFrom the Berthoud Pass parking lot you can head straight up the mountain, staying 100yds or so left of the radio tower o...

Summit Mount Flora

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains offer hikes of all lengths, sizes and difficulties. Mt. Flora stands at a lofty 13,146 ft and is a great intro to climbing peaks in Colorado. Roundtrip, this hike is 6.5 miles and will take you (in the summer) through fields of alpine wildflowers as you climb into Colorado’s high country along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).You’ll start out on switchbacks on an ol...

Snowshoe to Broome Hut

Take I-70 from Denver and then US 40, go all the way to Mile marker 240 of US 40 and park in the area at the side of the road. The Second Creek trail head is just behind the parking area and is easy to find.The trail climbs from a start at 10,600ft and finishes up at 11,325ft at the hut, but you can go higher.The start of the trail is a dense pine tree forest, but it is way marked throughout (u...

Hike to Twin Cones via Second Creek Trailhead

This hike begins at Second Creek Trailhead off of US Highway 40. It's pretty steep right off the bar gaining about 800ft of elevation in the first mile. This first mile takes you to Broome Hut, which has a bathroom and is a great place to stop and take a break. Keep in mind that there are no dogs allowed inside of the hut! If you choose to continue past Broome Hut, you will pass by a small cree...

Ski or Snowshoe Jones Pass

Its sister trail, Butler Gulch, is an all-time favorite hike (both summer and winter), and since they share a trailhead, I knew Jones Pass would be special as well.Jones Pass is not the type of trail I normally take, since it is actually a 4x4 road that is used for Jeeping in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. However, because it connects with a network of trails that spread all over th...