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Not too much room for zig-zagging, just point it downhill!


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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.9

KM

Ski Line

10,158' 3,096 m

High

9,419' 2,871 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

739' 225 m

Down

25%

Avg Slope (14°)

35%

Max Slope (19°)
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.

Need to Know

This is within Rocky Mountain National Park, so all park entrance fees will apply. There is a fence quite near the bottom of the slope. Just be on the lookout for that as you approach the bottom.

Description

Beyond the sledding hill is where the old ski runs used to be cut through the trees. This run follows one of the old lift lines (the "Lower T-Bar" lift). I did this on a snowboard in deep powder and it was awesome!

The run is a bit tight, not very wide. So, there isn't much room to zig-zag your way down the hill. But, it's not too steep, so it isn't much of a problem.

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

  3.4 from 10 votes

#557

Overall
  3.4 from 10 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
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3 Star
40%
2 Star
20%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#220

in Colorado

#557

Overall
61 Views Last Month
6,107 Since Mar 13, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Ascending Juniper. Photo by Ryan Case.
May 2, 2017 near Estes Park, CO
Time to switch that foot gear.
Mar 13, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Lower T-Bar Ascent is STEEP
Jun 19, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
Looking up, halfway down.
Dec 5, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
Adam heading up T-Bar
Jun 19, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
11/17/2015.  conditions decent, hazards still exist.  rocks, dead fall, tree tops and the such.  I'd use rock skis if you have 'em.  decent turns
Nov 17, 2015 near Estes Park, CO

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