Industry News
New overnight options and pass partnership will make the backcountry ski area experience more accessible
Colorado’s beloved backcountry ski area is gearing up for an exciting winter. Bluebird Backcountry has announced that they will offer on-site, overnight accommodations for the 2022/2023 ski season. In addition, the state’s only non-lift-served resort will join the Indy Pass, offering Indy passholders two days of access with no blackout dates.
Lodging at Bluebird
Bluebird’s new lodging offerings will 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 will also have insulated domes located in the base area. Other lodging options include a hostel-style cabin that can sleep up to five guests, 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. 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.”
– Bluebird Backcountry co-founder Jeff Woodward
In its first year offering lodging, Bluebird will have roughly 40 beds available for a wide range of group sizes — from comfortable group options to hostel-style accommodations for the solo traveler. All lodging offerings 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 WiFi will not be available in lodging units, although WiFi 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% off during their Early Bird Special, now through September 30, 2022. Reservations start at $59/night and are available online atbluebirdbackcountry.com.
Bluebird Joins the Indy Pass
Bluebird Backcountry will join 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. We love the mom & 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.”
– Jeff Woodward
Bluebird Backcountry will also offer a discounted lodging package for Indy passholders, which includes a beginner backcountry lesson and gear rental, with no blackout dates, for those interested in learning how to backcountry ski or splitboard.
“The Indy Pass is the dominant pass in the Midwest with 26 resorts now. 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.”
– Indy Pass founder Doug Fish
Pre-Season Prices End September 13th
- Indy Base Pass – Adult $299, Kids (12-and-under) $139
- Indy+ Pass – Adult $399, Kids $189 (no blackouts)
- Indy Base AddOn Pass – Adult $199, Kids $99 (partner and allied resort season passholders only)
- Indy+ AddOn Pass – Adult $309, Kids $149 (no blackouts)
- Indy Cross Country (XC) Pass – Adult $69, Kids $29 (no blackouts)
I’m gonna go ahead and agree with J here. I don’t think that they have either the angle or the snow depth to warrant avalanche conditions, and teaching these concepts is supposed to be their whole thing. It seems like this place exists to separate new Denver residents and “COVID Boom” backcountry users with their cash.
‘Beloved’? Are you crazy? The place is a flat boring concept created by NYers. Sagebrush riding at its finest. Hilarious.