The Backcountry Skiing Magazine, Community, and Interactive Ski Guide
Skiing the Backcountry Logo
SEARCH BY LOCATION:

ATLANTIC BOWL | LOVELAND PASS | FRONT RANGE | COLORADO | UNITED STATES

ATLANTIC BOWL
ATLANTIC BOWL
Date Created: 12/19/2008
Last Updated: 12/19/2008
Ranking:Okay
Skiable Vert:1330 ft
Climbing Vert:740 ft
Top Elevation:12,585 ft
Trailhead Elevation:11,250 ft
Ascent Mileage:2
AVG Ascent Time:5min (by car taxi)
Ascent Type:Bootpack, Skin
Trees:Nicely Spaced
Slope Aspect:Northeast
Steepest Section:35-45 Degrees
Slope Type:Ridge, Bowl, Gully
Exit:Clean
First Descent:
Nearest Town:Keystone
AVG Snowfall:350
Snowpack:High winds and cold dry snow make for a typically dangerous continental snowpack. Most serious routes should be attempted later in the winter and into spring when temperatures rise and the snow begins to corn.

Highlights

Loveland Pass is the classic right-of-passage for beginning Colorado backcountry enthusiasts. Without any actual hiking at all, one can drop off the summit of the pass at 11,990', and experience some premium tree skiing down to the switchback at about 11,250'.

Ascent

Most people begin their day skiing Loveland Pass from the summit, but the entire Atlantic Bowl conveniently drains into a parking area alongside highway 6; where you will either thumb a ride back to the top or wait for your buddy who drew the short straw to make the precarious drive back down the pass to pick you up for your next lap. This is the premier backcountry destination for lazy people, since on most nice days pickup trucks will frequently act as impromptu public gondolas. Only the willfully ambitious need to bring along their skins.

Descent

It is virtually impossible to get lost in this zone because the massive entirety of Atlantic Bowl drains into the same switchback on highway 6. Most people lazily drop off from the pass summit for some wide-open tree skiing and a few hidden gullies, while many of the warriors will hike the ridge for the deeply power-filled open bowl lines. The intense winds on Loveland Pass can either scour the upper surfaces to a beautifully unpleasant wind crust, or blow heaps of snow into prime slab avalanche territory.

Access/Permits

Loveland Pass is located on National Forest land, so no permits are required. One caution being that CDOT performs a basic level of avalanche control by means of long-range artillery on the peaks surrounding Loveland Pass, including within Atlantic Bowl itself. Respect pass closures, and be aware of the hazards.

Photos

Need A Guide?

Alpine Ambitions
Alpine Ambitions leads educational, adventurous, ski experiences in some of the most quintessential ski locations on the planet. No matter where you are on the spectrum of skiers - from accomplished, expert skier ready to ski from the summits of big peaks, and in off-the-beaten-path locations to a novice skier with the desire to ski all-conditions and all-terrain, Alpine Ambitions creates the right environment for you....Hire this guide
Alpine World Ascents
Alpine World Ascents is a professional ski and mountain guide outfit based out of Boulder, CO, offering instruction and guiding year round locally and around the world: Rock, Ice, Alpine, Ski, Avalanche Safety. AMGA and IFMGA certified guides only....Hire this guide

Comments

External References

Already have a blog about this area? Link to it here.
Be the first to enter an external reference for this area!

You need to login or sign up to add an external reference.

Guide Books

Sign up to use or skiing guide.
Backcountry skiing is dangerous. Use our online backcountry skiing guide at your own risk.