Skip the lift lines, make fresh tracks, and access beautiful mountains. Backcountry skiing is the essence of freedom. At KMAC Guides we are passionate participants throughout the winter.
Privately Guided Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding
Intro to Backcountry
A privately guided day of backcountry skiing, for those looking to go on their first tour.
Powder Seekers Tour
Privately guided backcountry skiing and splitboarding for experienced guests. Search for soft snow, or work on skills.
Beyond Level One
The learning never stops in the backcountry. Book a one on one day with a guide to hone and practice the skills you learned in your level one course.
Classic Ski Tours
Explore our curated list of the best Ski Tours in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hidden Valley
Explore the abandoned ski area of Hidden Valley. Once a bustling business in Rocky Mountain National Park, this zone had the lifts removed in the 90’s and is now a perfect backcountry skiing area. Ski through old ski runs, glades, and bowls.
Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Season: Dec – April.
Dream Zone
The skiing around Dream Lake, and Lake Haiyaha attracts skiers from around the front range of Colorado. The terrain is characterized by short and steep runs that are perfect for lapping. Start at the Bear Lake trailhead and ascend into the dream zone!
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Season: Dec – April
Andrew’s Glacier
A classic intro to longer ski tours in Rocky Mountain National Park. This adventurous tour climbs 3,000 vertical feet to the continental divide, where you’ll rip skins and ski down the mellow Andrew’s Glacier. The skiing continues out the valley back to the Loch.
Difficulty: Advanced
Season: February – May. Snow coverage along the route is best from late winter to spring. The glacier itself can be skied into the summer for those willing to hike their skis in.
Sundance Couloir
A classic springtime ski objective! When Trail Ridge Road opens for the season, drive up to the Rockcut parking area for this awesome descent. A quick 10 minute hike from the parking lot puts you on top of this 2,000ft ski descent. Enjoy great corn skiing and then hike back up and out.
Difficulty: Advanced
Season: Late May – June. Dependent on Trail Ridge Road being open.
Custom Ski Tour
Have a ski tour you’ve always dreamed of? Let us know and we’ll work with you to make it happen!
Ski Mountaineering
The things that make Rocky Mountain National Park a paradise for climbers, also make it a paradise for steep skiing. Narrow couloirs snake through cliffbands throughout the park, making for exciting and memorable ski descents.
Ski Mountaineering Prep
Learn, or brush up on, the necessary skills to ski lines that require cramponing, ice axes, and rope work.
Dragontail Couloir
Without a doubt, the most sought after ski descent in Rocky Mountain National Park. A short skin up to Emerald Lake puts you right under this epic ski line. High cliff walls and wide open turns characterize this classic descent
Difficulty: Advanced to Expert
Season: March – May
The Elevator Shaft
Tucked onto the south side of Hallett peak, just above Lake Haiyaha sits this classic couloir. The entrance is steep but it mellows out to a long a fun couloir with high walls.
Difficulty: Expert
Season: March – May
Ptarmigan Zone
The Odessa Valley, between Notchtop and Flattop mountains is a ski mountaineers paradise. Ski sunny lines on the south side of Notchtop to start the day and then move over to the shadier north side of flattop (Ptarmigan Fingers) when things warm up.
Difficulty: Advanced – Expert
Season: March – May
Lambs Slide
A classic ski descent underneath the imposing East Face of Long’s Peak. This line is in an epic location, but has manageable steepness.
Difficulty: Advanced – Expert
Season: Nov – June. Often skiable early season with good snow coverage. Holds snow year round and can be skied into the summer for those willing to hike skis.
South Face of Hallett
One of the longest ski descents in the Park. Click in on the summit of Hallett peak, ski a short ridge, then drop into the steep south face. The skiing continues all the way out Chaos Canyon back to Lake Haiyaha.
Difficulty: Expert
Season: April-May. Usually has a short window in the spring of great corn skiing.
Longs Peak
The tallest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Skiing off this 14’er is a prize for any ski mountaineer. The most popular descents are the North Face and Keplinger’s Couloir.
Difficulty: Expert
Season: May – June. Snow usually only sticks to the upper mountain after several heavy spring storms. Doesn’t always come in to condition.
Custom Ski Mountaineering
Have a ski mountaineering line you’ve always dreamed of? Let us know and we’ll work with you to make it happen!
Set yourself up for success.