On March 4th every year, skiers and riders around the country get together to enjoy a day in the backcountry. Backcountry skiing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the outdoor industry and we want to ensure that everyone is having fun and staying safe. See below for top resort destinations to participate in National Backcountry Ski Day.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection | Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is a must-visit destination for backcountry skiers with a plethora of backcountry terrain, and Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection is the premier accommodation for ski guests in the very heart of Aspen and its unparalleled ski culture. Celebrating 75 years since the debut of Aspen Snowmass’ iconic Lift 1, Hotel Jerome is the only location in Colorado offering demo handmade skis constructed by Bomber, and prior to their stay, skiers can create their very own custom skis working directly with the Bomber factory in Italy.
Shore Lodge | McCall, Idaho
Shore Lodge is an award-winning lakefront resort located in McCall, Idaho. As travelers flock to Aspen and Vail to face long waits for lifts and crowded runs this ski season, McCall offers undiscovered adventures defined by laidback luxury. Long beloved by those who have discovered it, the quaint resort town sits on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, and is located just 2.5 hours outside of Boise. Sitting atop the world at an elevation of 5,000 feet, McCall’s rugged mountains, glacier-carved lakes, and ancient hot springs are a thrill-seeker’s paradise. This four-season hideaway that offers travelers a mountain retreat that embodies the spirit of the destination –peaceful, authentic and vibrant.
Shore Lodge offers guests a complimentary 10 minute shuttle to Brundage Mountain, which Ski Magazine has credited with 'the best powder in Idaho' and is only just 35 minutes away from Tamarack Resort offering 2,800 feet of vertical on 1,020 lift-accessed acres for skiers and snowboarders, along with Nordic and snowshoe trails. The mountain also has lift-served backcountry skiing - Skiing out-of-bounds at Brundage Mountain opens up thousands of acres of fluffy Idaho powder to those looking for a quick fix. The ski area's open-boundary policy and one-ride pass option provides for an easy, one-stop backcountry trek. In the winter, unique to McCall are the areas natural hot springs and the winter snow sculpture competition.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection | Park City, UT
Utah’s beloved luxury retreat has debuted a new backcountry adventure for the 2023 ski season. The new Snowmobile Access Skiing experience explores the Uinta Mountains’ Narnia-like landscape, where the snow is pristine and the crowds are out of sight. Certified backcountry guides from Inspired Summit Adventures will lead guests on snowmobiles deep into the range, where they will then transition to powder skis or a splitboard for some of the best ski terrain (and views) Utah has to offer. At $950 per guest for a full day, the experience (great for both experienced and first-time backcountry riders) is one of the most cost-effective excursions for this style of terrain. To make the experience feel even more private, The Lodge at Blue Sky provides luxury transfers and a private après set up waiting at one of the resort’s two mountainside Yurts. Skiiers can restore their energy with fondue, heart-warming beverages and a cozy set up by the fire.
Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection | Deer Valley, UT
A 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport puts you well above 7,000 feet in the rugged Wasatch Mountains of Park City, where hundreds of runs are kept in perfect condition for skiers of all levels. Goldener Hirsch offers private ski lockers, ski valet and transportation to the region’s various world-class resorts. Carve the slopes in the company of an Olympic champion at Deer Valley, known for its impeccably groomed pistes, ski valets and heated sidewalks. Or hit the tracks at Park City Mountain and finish off the day by skiing or snowboarding right into town for a High West whiskey cocktail. Level up by heli-skiing the backcountry at The Lodge at Blue Sky and explore the wintry terrain from the back of a dogsled or speeding down the slopes in a snow tube. There’s something for everyone in Park City.
Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection | Santa Fe, NM
A legendary landmark re-imagined, Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection is a luxurious and soulful retreat steeped in heritage in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Set on 317 secluded acres bordering Santa Fe National Forest and just minutes from downtown, the 100-room resort invites guests to connect with nature with organic adobe architecture that invokes rich New Mexican heritage and conveys a genuine sense of place. With a collection of exhilarating outdoor experiences, Bishop’s Lodge has designed custom ski packages for the bold and spirited guests with backcountry adventures to choose from heli-trips to Taos Mountain, to local Santa Fe Mountain. Retreat to the mountain for the day (or night!) and continue the adventure with an après experience. The resort has designed experiences to warm the body and soul and invites guests to gather in the signature restaurant SkyFire for an intimate après ski with local chocolate house, Kakawa.
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection | Telluride, CO
With hundreds of miles of spectacular scenery, exciting terrain and easy access, the historic mountain town of Telluride, Colorado has all the necessary components for a one-of-a-kind ski getaway, and the five-star Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection brings a new tier of adventurous luxury to the destination. For National Backcountry Ski Day, the property offers full and half day adventures with their backcountry nordic ski tours off the groomed tracks. This traditional form of Nordic Skiing is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the San Juan Mountains during winter. Before arriving, guests can bring their ski dreams to life by creating custom Wagner skis directly with the Wagner factory in Telluride. Skiers can also take advantage of Madeline’s ideal location in the heart of the famed Telluride Ski Resort, ranked the #1 ski resort by USA Today.
The St. Regis Deer Valley | Deer Valley, UT
Nestled in the lower Deer Valley of Park City, Utah, this upscale resort is primely positioned for when fresh powder graces the Wasatch Mountains. The St. Regis Deer Valley offers guests convenient ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes, as well as a private ski beach. Winter in Park City also boasts the intriguing Sun Dance Film Festival and an array of cold-weather activities including ice-skating, snowshoeing and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The St. Regis Deer Valley is located just minutes from the city's charming downtown area and 25 minutes from the famous Utah Olympic Park.
