CAMERON PASS (1) Elevation: 10,276 ft

Cameron pass offers some of northern Colorado's finest and most accessible skiing. Exciting and varied terrain make it a favorite destination for skiers from the Front Range and southern Wyoming. Backcountry skiers can find steep, exciting couloirs in the Nokhu Crags and the Ruby Jewel Lake cirque; or more mellow, safer terrain on Montgomery Pass. The Diamond Peaks offer steep, open bowls (often dangerous).

Cameron Pass has its own backcountry ski patrol: Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol. This branch of the National Ski Patrol is one of the most experienced and elite SAR groups in the area.

LOVELAND PASS (3) Elevation: 11,990 ft

One of Colorado's most treacherous winter passes, Loveland Pass is the unpleasant fate for truckers carrying hazardous waste who are not allowed to cross through the Eisenhower Tunnel; while simultaneously being the mecca for beginning backcountry enthusiasts wanting to get their powsticks wet, as well as those busy locals who are working too many jobs to have the time or the energy to work for their backcountry pow turns.

MT. TRELEASE (1) Elevation: 12,450 ft

A relatively easy to access peak with a variety of aspects and angles to play with depending on avalanche hazard.

NOKHU CRAGS (2) Elevation: 12,485 ft

While the Nokhu Crags are technically part of Cameron Pass, this special area deserves a page of its own. The Nokhu Cirque can be reached in about two hours from the trailhead. Park at the turnout about a half mile below the main Cameron Pass parking on the south side of the pass. Ski down the sun-baked slope next to the car to reach the bottom of the valley below the Longest Run (the obvious slide path that often gets skied). Skin up the Longest Run until you get to the obvious old irrigation ditch that wraps around the mountain and follow it east. Continue up and around the drainage into the cirque to the south.

From here it is clear that there are endless possibilities for steep couloir skiing ranging from 500-1500 feet. Three east-facing couloirs are the first obvious things you will see on your right-- the Three Sisters. At least a dozen other steep chutes wrap around this area; if someone could enlighten me to their names it would be much appreciated.

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Backcountry skiing is dangerous. Use our online backcountry skiing guide at your own risk.