Colorado’s Bluebird Backcountry is the world’s first modern human-powered backcountry ski area, with 4,200 skiable acres (1,200 avalanche evaluated and 3,000 guided only out-of-bounds). Bluebird boasts zero lifts and will welcome 200 skiers per day.
“You shouldn’t need thousands of dollars or a mentor to start your journey”
The Culturelines team connected with co-founder Erik Lambert who dove into the vision for Bluebird.
“When someone asks me, “When you boil it down, what is Bluebird Backcountry?”, my answer is: It’s one part ski area - with all of the comforts and amenities of that; One part guide service - you can learn at the highest or most basic levels and we’re doing all of that on-site now; And one part true backcountry, where you get to have more of a wilderness experience than you would in bounds. You’ll see wildlife, have fresh tracks all day. You get to have a true backcountry experience without all the BS of having to uphill it at a resort.”
Bluebird Backcountry is a fascinating model. Do you see potential for it to grow here in North America and abroad
Erik Lambert: “We’ve made it a lot further than we thought we might with the concept. That’s really exciting and it bodes well for the future of skiing in general - not just backcountry. It has created some diversity in how people think about skiing, and I imagine something like Bluebird could exist in many places.
These could pop up and blow people’s minds with different experiences, bring human connection, and diversify what’s become a consolidated mega-scene that doesn’t resonate with a lot of people.
There’s definitely a cultural shift of skiing. If you look at the resort scene, other than the equipment - having fatter skis, stiffer boots, or whatever it might be - the last real innovations inside of a boundary were terrain parks and the snowboard, and that was 30 years ago.
Those things totally changed how people move on snow. We believe this is one of those landmark moments where we can offer an entirely different experience and perspective on skiing, and reimagine learning how to backcountry ski.”
Bluebird Backcountry is a fascinating model. Do you see potential for it to grow here in North America and abroad?
Erik Lambert: “We’ve made it a lot further than we thought we might with the concept. That’s really exciting and it bodes well for the future of skiing in general - not just backcountry. It has created some diversity in how people think about skiing, and I imagine something like Bluebird could exist in many places.
These could pop up and blow people’s minds with different experiences, bring human connection, and diversify what’s become a consolidated mega-scene that doesn’t resonate with a lot of people.
There’s definitely a cultural shift of skiing. If you look at the resort scene, other than the equipment - having fatter skis, stiffer boots, or whatever it might be - the last real innovations inside of a boundary were terrain parks and the snowboard, and that was 30 years ago.
Those things totally changed how people move on snow. We believe this is one of those landmark moments where we can offer an entirely different experience and perspective on skiing, and reimagine learning how to backcountry ski.”
How do you cater to both skiers and splitboarders?
EL: “We’re not in the business of telling people how to do it. We want to provide different tools and learning opportunities for anybody who wants to get into the backcountry.
Sure we jab at each other sometimes for fun, but the reality is that we know there are lots of great ways to get out there, and people should do what’s comfortable.
It’s the same for our courses: if you connect with a network that shares your own views, you’ll be more inclined to pick up that skill and knowledge in a way that resonates. We have women’s courses, splitboard courses and a series of lessons that build toward the Avalanche Level 1. We try to put like-minded folks together, partly because of moving through the terrain but also for equipment; if you’re new to the gear and have a mechanical issue, you want to have an instructor who’s pretty savvy.
We also look at other ways to make people feel more welcome and comfortable, and that’s why we have some of the amenities of a traditional ski area on site, because not everyone wants to be out in the woods without a bathroom, hot food, the comfort to warm up, or ski patrol.”
What do you think is going to happen this season?
EL: “We’ve had great early signals. We don’t expect to be doing 100,000 skier visits this year, nor could we. We cap it to ensure that people have a good backcountry experience. But we’ve sold through 95% of our season passes and we’ve opened sales of our transferable four packs and 10 packs, which are popular.
What’s clear is that the mom and pop grassroots scene is missing these days. People tell us they are running away from crowds, others are bored with the resort experience.
We want to provide something that’s different and memorable. Bluebird makes it easier to learn, develop skills, and get a proper education before entering the true backcountry, but it’s also about providing a new outlet for winter recreation.
The power of earning your turns is really appealing to some people. But it’s also really not appealing to some people. We get comments - “Why would I pay money to hike uphill?” and we say well, okay, this is not for you.”
Bluebird Backcountry is on the Continental Divide near Rabbit Ears Pass and is centrally located about 30 minutes from Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA.
