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Date Created: 12/18/08

Last Updated: 12/18/08

Commonly the 4th of July Bowl can be reached by 4x4 in the early summer, serving up an excellent portion of corn snow long after everyone else has their skis packed up until next season.

If the resort is still open, your 4,000' ascent can be halved by riding up the Mercury Chair. The final 1.5 miles begins at the backcountry access gates located at the top of Mercury Chair on "Peak 9". Follow the trail through the trees, the 4th of July Bowl will be obvious when you reach the upper basin. This large low-pitched basin between the upper peaks make the zone further away than it might appear from the lifts; so it is best to arrive over-prepared with a good snack and extra layers due to the inevitably bipolar weather common to even the bluest of days.

Over a few easily connectible rolling pitches, one can legally make the 4.5 mile, 4,000 vertical feet, descent into downtown Breckenridge via the 4 O'clock trail.

No permits necessary. Use backcountry access gates while resort is open.

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People die skiing in the backcountry every year. Avalanches, crevasses, trees, human error, weather, tree wells, among other things can kill you in an instant. Use this guide at your own risk, we are not responsible for any wanker getting all wanked up in the wankin' backcountry. That being said, even the most experienced backcountry skier can get caught off guard. Take avalanche classes, carry a beacon, probe, shovel and avalung AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. Just because you buy them, doesn't mean you get magical powers of invincibility. Many people who own beacons have no clue how to operate them. More importantly than any gear you can buy, you need to know how to safely travel in avalanche terrain, minimize potential hazards, and interrupt how weather affects the snowpack. This requires time and experience. Learn from others, be safe and courteous, and when in doubt go home and live to ski another day. The amount of snow needed to be dug up to rescue a buried victim, on average weighs right around an actual ton. In North America 25% of victims die from hitting trees, rocks, and other sharp unforgiving surfaces. It only takes one miscalculation to have the mountains kick your ass. Just because you see tracks or someone else skiing a line, does not mean you should ski it. Remember, individual actions affect all of us. Take care of each other out there, we are all on the same team.