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A nice warm-up before you head up to the real hills.


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Map Key

0.2

Miles

0.3

KM

Ski Line

9,543' 2,909 m

High

9,416' 2,870 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

128' 39 m

Down

11%

Avg Slope (6°)

18%

Max Slope (10°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Overview

This run is within Rocky Mountain National Park. It is at the old Hidden Valley ski area, which closed in 1991. It is a ski area no more, and is now being returned to the forest. RMNP has a great warming hut and restroom facility at the base, along with ample parking. This area is very popular for the sledding hill not far from the hut.

Description

Beyond the sledding hill is where the old ski runs used to be cut through the trees. This run used to be known as Ptarmigan. Back in those days it was a "green circle" run. Well some things don't change, because it still is.

This one is fun to hike up and then glide back down just for a nice little warm up. It's enough to give you a taste and make you really want to climb up the bigger hills for a longer run. It's nice and wide open, sort of like a bunny hill. It can be a little more fun to hike up above this run a bit and start your downhill in the trees...just to spice this one up a bit.

History & Background

From ColoradoSkiHistory.com: Hidden Valley opened for business in 1955, but the area was skied by area residents long before any lifts were installed. The area was run by the Estes Park Recreation District and backed by local businesses. It was eventually bought by the Park Service with the intent to phase out the ski operations. They removed the double chair in 1977 on the fact that it wasn't positioned correctly. In 1991, the area closed for good and has since undergone revegetation.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jared Crockett

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#642

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Ski Line Rankings

#269

in Colorado

#642

Overall
326 Views Last Month
9,906 Since Mar 13, 2015
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Photos

Riding the Lower Portion of Aspen
Jun 19, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
The powder was deep and amazing on this day!
Mar 13, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
View from the Parking Lot
May 30, 2022 near Estes Park, CO

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