The Thrills of Berthoud Pass

1. Berthoud Pass Berthoud Pass – – Berthoud Pass- Giving it a pass will be a life-long regret Welcome to the thrills of Berthoud Pass, the primary gateway to the Winter Park area, a 24-mile-long mountain highway which projects the magnificent scenic panoramas of the Continental Divide. Every twist and turn of this approximately half-an-hour white-knuckle drive will provide the scenes in varying colors and proves to be exhilarating, once in a lifetime experience. Berthoud Pass itself is a well-maintained, but switchback-laden mountain pass that leads directly to Winter Park and of course, its main draw, the Winter Park Ski Resort. It provides the quickest access to Winter Park, and it is an alternate route to Steamboat Springs from Denver. Restrooms for travelers are available at the peak; as this is a popular destination for back-country snow enthusiasts. This was once an operating ski resort, opening in 1937, but it closed in the early nineties

2. leaving behind a pristine wilderness area in its place, which now greets the visitors. Skiers and snowboarders often enjoy the terrain that surrounds this area, with slopes on 1200 acres. Though the ski resort is closed, it’s still easy to find the runs, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding are primary activities. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also popular activities in these areas Caution should be exercised with any activity given that this area is considered the back-country, and without any ski patrollers formally roaming the mountain, have fun but know that you proceed at your own risk, thus visitors are advised to exercise caution. The entire Berthoud Pass drive is a scenic masterpiece, as you’d be hard-pressed to find another mountain pass with as many waterfalls and a traversing course that showcases the mountains in a different light from every curve of the road taking one to an elevation of more than 11,000 feet above sea level with the majestic presence of the Continental Divide as the ever-extending backdrop. The pass was named after Edward L. Berthoud, the chief surveyor of the Colorado Central Railroad in the 1870’s; after surveying the road, decided that it was more viable as a wagon road than as railroad, due to its steepness and tight curves.