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Winter guide
Backcountry and Splits
Summit County has some of the best and most dangerous backcountry in Colorado. Here are the zones close to town, the resources we use, and the kit we carry.
Backcountry conditions right now
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Before you skin
Colorado's snowpack is famous for weak layers that stick around all season. Read the CAIC forecast every morning, travel with partners, take an avalanche course, and carry rescue gear you have practiced with. Breck-area backcountry falls in CAIC's Vail and Summit County zone. Loveland and Berthoud are in the Front Range zone.
Uphill at the resort
Breck allows uphill travel on designated routes outside of lift hours, and the routes change with grooming and snowmaking. No pets. Call the uphill hotline at 970-547-5627 before you go. A free uphill parking permit from Breck Park covers early morning parking in the North Gondola, Stables and Peak 9 lots.
Splitboard tips from the shop
- Trim your skins right. Bring your split in and we will cut and rivet them to fit.
- Practice transitions at home. Cold hands on a windy ridge are not the time to learn.
- Carry a little repair kit. Ski straps, a multitool and spare binding parts fix most problems.
- Start with mellow tours. Low-angle terrain is where you learn your setup and the snowpack.
Know before you go
- Beacon, shovel and probe: every person, every tour.
- Read the CAIC forecast every morning.
- Emergencies: call 911. Summit County Rescue Group is all volunteer.
- Carry a CORSAR card. $3 a year funds Colorado search and rescue. It is not insurance.
- Vail Pass is a fee area: $10 a day or $65 a season.
- Boreas Pass Rd is closed to cars past the winter gate November to May.
Close to town
Backcountry access
| Zone | From Breck | What it is | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoosier Pass | ~20 min | Continental Divide pass with roadside touring on Hoosier Ridge and nearby slopes. Busy, so start early. | Directions |
| Quandary Peak | ~15 min | A winter 14er with a mellow east ridge. No reservation needed in winter, but the lot may not be plowed. | Directions |
| Boreas Pass Rd | ~10 min | Old rail grade from the winter gate 3.7 mi up Boreas Pass Rd toward Section House and Ken's Cabin. | Trailhead info |
| Mayflower Gulch | ~30 min | Road walk up to old mining cabins and a big alpine cirque. CO-91 south of Copper. | Directions |
| Vail Pass | ~35 min | Huge shared-use area that sleds use too. Fee required. Park at the I-70 exit 190 rest area. | Directions |
| Loveland Pass | ~45 min | Classic roadside laps off the Divide on US-6. Easy access, serious terrain. | Directions |
| Berthoud Pass | ~1 hr 20 min | The old ski area, now backcountry only. Warming hut at the top. | Directions |
Asked at the counter
Local questions
Where can I splitboard near Breckenridge?
The closest zones are Hoosier Pass and Quandary Peak south of town and Boreas Pass Road east of town. Mayflower Gulch, Vail Pass and Loveland Pass are all within about 45 minutes. All of it is avalanche terrain.
Where do I check the avalanche forecast for Breckenridge?
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center at avalanche.state.co.us. Breck-area backcountry is in the Vail and Summit County zone.
Can I skin uphill at Breckenridge Ski Resort?
Yes, on designated routes outside of lift hours. No pets. Call the uphill hotline at 970-547-5627 before you go, since routes change with grooming and snowmaking.
Do I need a pass for Vail Pass?
Yes. The Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area charges $10 a day or $65 a season per person 16 and older.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the sources linked on this page. Rules, dates and conditions change, so confirm before you go, or stop by the shop at 320 S Main St for the latest.