Backcountry skiing near Steamboat

Backcountry skier with poles standing in deep snow on a sunny day — Photo: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass, both in the Routt National Forest, are the main backcountry ski areas near Steamboat Springs. This is avalanche country: there's no ski patrol, no avalanche control, and limited cell service.

Avalanche safety comes first

Before every trip, read the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecast for the Steamboat & Flat Tops zone, and report what you see to CAIC.
Take an avalanche course (start with AIARE 1 or similar, plus avalanche rescue) before you go into avalanche terrain. CAIC lists avalanche education options.
Every person carries a beacon, shovel and probe, knows how to use them, and practices.
Never go alone. Tell someone your plan and when you'll be back.

Skier at a trailhead avalanche beacon checkpoint sign that reads Are you beeping? — Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Rabbit Ears Pass

Parking is free. Everything from West Summit to North Walton Peak is non-motorized; east of Dumont is motorized or mixed use (Chamber · Pilot). The USFS says to be aware of avalanche terrain whenever you leave marked routes, and lists the Hogan Park route as experts only (USFS brochure). More on the pass: Rabbit Ears in winter.

Buffalo Pass (Dry Lake trailhead)

A free Winter Backcountry Permit is required; each person must carry one, and they're available at the Dry Lake trailhead. The area is mixed motorized and non-motorized, with no overnight use. Don't park along the county road below the lot (Chamber). The terrain is big and avalanche-prone.

Rules and official sources

Both passes are on the Routt National Forest, managed by the USFS Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests (USFS). Check the forest site for current alerts and closures.
Respect the motorized / non-motorized boundaries above.
Avalanche forecast and observations: CAIC.

Related guides

Skinning & ski touring — resort uphill rules at Steamboat Resort and Howelsen Hill.
Winter gear checklist

Gear ideas

Generic product types, not tested by us. Links may become affiliate links — see our disclosure.

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Last reviewed: November 1, 2026. Facts link to their sources.