Upon entering Summit County the dome shaped massif of Buffalo Mountain, or "Colorado's Skull" dominates the landscape. The easy access that Buffalo offers, three-hundred and sixty degree skiing and snowboarding and over 3000 feet of fall-line descents makes Buffalo a challenging backcountry tour for all abilities. Gaining Buffalo's summit is an aesthetic four hour ski tour whereby views of Summit County, nearly a dozen 14ers and the Gore Range are some of the best in the state. Descent options include the seldom skied South Couloir, the steep Salt Lick Gulch Crater or the 35 degree Silver Couloir that Low Dawson calls "one of the best ski descents in Colorado"

With over 1,000 meters of technical skiing off the North side of Buffalo Mountain, hiring a guide for any descent is necessary. Leaving from the Buffalo Cabin Trail-head, just 10 minutes from I-70 in Summit County, skiers will begin a 4 hour climb of the peak until reaching the domed summit at 12,777 feet. After groups relax and enjoy the panoramic views, your guide will take skiers and snowboarders down a 35-degree couloir that, after 1,000 meters, ends abruptly in a cluster of Aspen trees. The descent of "Silver Couloir" begins with a rolling alpine starting zone, funnels into a 20-foot wide choke and twists a few turns to the valley floor of South Willow Creek. From the exit of the couloir, clients are an hour-long skin away from the vehicles. Although a demanding ski tour, and one the is both snow-pack and weather dependent, an alpine adventure on Buffalo Mountain will be remembered for a lifetime. 

The cost of a full day of guiding skiing on Buffalo Mountain, which includes over 3,000 vertical feet of turns, is $200 for the first person and $100 for each additional group member. More so, the daily guide fee includes a morning preparation session, personalised instruction during both the ascent and descent, and the security associated with traveling with a professional guide who has intimate knowledge of the terrain. Please call David at 970-406-1075 for questions or to book a reservation.

Gore Range History:

Whether a long-time resident, vacationing with family and friends, or simply driving the I-70 corridor, the Gore Range dominates the landscape of Summit and Eagle Counties. Spiraled peaks, vertical snowfields and endless forest stretching northward for over 50 miles encompass the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Following the completion of the Eisenhower Tunnel in 1973 and the creation of interstate I-70, the Gore Range remained intact and the movement to establish a pristine backcountry haven became a priority. The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the legislation necessary to permanently designate the Gore Range as a Congressional wilderness area and the Eagles Nest Wilderness became a reality in 1976. Fortunately, little has changed since the Ute Indians first populated the area and Tour Further understands that low risk travel requires terrain familiarity within the Gore's countless exposed ridges and dense valleys.

Given the surprisingly close proximity to bustling Summit County and Vail, the Gore Range remains one of the least traveled and most remote wilderness areas Colorado has to offer, and with easy of access for winter enthusiasts from both Eagle and Summit counties and the Front Range you should call today and book an adventure on Buffalo Mountain!