Mountain layout—Snowboarding

Snowmass is so huge there’s excellent terrain for riders of all levels—and persuasions—and generally little walking if you stay alert. Some areas to prepare for: the approach to Campgrounds, Two Creeks, Funnel and Alpine Springs lifts; the entire basin near the future base village on the way to the Makaha Terrain Park; the runs over the Trestle to the Sheer Bliss chair; Turkey Trot over to Elk Camp; and even the ride out below the Cirque can stop you in your tracks on powder days.

Expert riders should head to the legendary Cirque. And from the top of High Alpine, you can hike 10 minutes to get hang time on Hanging Valley Wall. Advanced riders can play anywhere else, especially on Sam’s Knob and the less-tracked Campground, as well as the Burn and rider’s left along Sheer Bliss.

Intermediate boarders seeking to get away from crowds on Fanny Hill should head for Elk Camp, where you’ll find groomed intermediate slopes and a high-speed quad that lets you rack up the vertical. From the top of the Elk Camp lift, a short 5- to10-minute hike takes you to Long Shot, a backcountry-like, ungroomed run that winds 3 miles through the National forest—getting you even further away from the bubbas. For some big whoops, the Naked Lady offers fun rollers.

Parks and pipes
Snowmass’ three terrain parks, Little Makaha, Midway Intermediate and Pipeline, cover the gamut of freestyle abilities, from first-timer to advanced trickster.

Little Makaha, under the Funnel chair, is designed expressly for beginners and those ready to try the next step, with medium-sized bumps, boxes, rails, rollers and banks. A beginner pipe is on lower Velvet.

The Midway Park now benefits from snowmaking and bigger jumps, more challenging boxes and more elements than the Makaha.

The place for serious freestyle terrain elements is Pipeline Park on Sam’s Knob. This is a continuous line of elements starting on Banzai Ridge, continuing on Coney Glade and finishing with Doddler Bowl. With a quick ride on Sam’s Knob Express, this is a hardcore lap of quality hits and features. The superpipe can be found opposite Doddler at the end of the Coney Glade section.