Bluebird Backcountry Ski Area To Close Permanently

Bluebird Backcountry Ski Area, Colorado's first liftless ski area, announced its permanent closure on Monday, July 10, 2023. The ski area struggled to find fundraising support and could not sustain itself moving forward.

"We are incredibly sad to announce the closure of Bluebird Backcountry," said co-founder Tom Skulski. "We built this ski area out of a passion for the backcountry and a belief that there was a demand for a liftless option in Colorado. We are grateful to the skiers and snowboarders who supported us over the years, and we hope that our legacy will inspire others to create new opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding."

Bluebird Backcountry opened in 2019 and quickly became a popular destination for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. The ski area offered 1,200 acres of avalanche-evaluated terrain, as well as guided tours and avalanche courses.

However, the ski area struggled to find financial support. In 2022, Bluebird Backcountry launched a fundraising campaign to raise $1 million, but it was only able to raise $250,000.

"We were hoping that the fundraising campaign would help us to secure our future," said Skulski. "Unfortunately, we were not able to raise enough money to keep the ski area open."

The closure of Bluebird Backcountry is a blow to the backcountry skiing community in Colorado. However, the ski area's legacy will live on. Bluebird Backcountry helped to pave the way for other liftless ski areas, and its closure will hopefully inspire others to create new opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

The resort said in a statement '

"With heavy hearts and much love, today we announce that Bluebird Backcountry is closing its gates permanently.

'Foremost, thank you. We’re bursting with gratitude for all the shared experiences, connections, learning, and growth. From community backing to hundreds of incredible volunteers to thousands of early adopters — you made this journey possible, and we’re so grateful for your support.

'Together, we’ve proven that a monumental dream can come alive, and we’ve made an irreversible mark on the ski industry. As backcountry skiing and snowboarding continue to grow in popularity, places like Bluebird Backcountry will become ever more important. And we hope we’ve cleared the lane for “backcountry lite” to enter another new and unimaginable chapter.

T"o capture the spirit of Bluebird Backcountry in one place, we’re asking our community to share a memory at bit.ly/bluebird-backcountry during the month of July. Feel free to contribute even if you never had a chance to visit.

'We will always remember the great times. And the mountains live on. Be safe, be joyous, and we will see you out there."

In a statement, the Colorado Backcountry Alliance said that it was "deeply saddened" by the closure of Bluebird Backcountry. "Bluebird was a unique and valuable resource for the backcountry skiing community," the statement said. "We will miss its terrain, its community, and its commitment to education and safety."

The closure of Bluebird Backcountry is a reminder of the challenges facing the backcountry skiing community. As more and more people enjoy the backcountry, it becomes increasingly important to find ways to manage the risks and ensure that everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely.