Staff Picks: Powder Paradise in Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Vail

Epic powder days are the stuff of local legend! Everyone is up at the crack of dawn obsessively checking the mountain cams for how many inches (or feet!) fell overnight. Then it’s a mad dash to be first in the lift line. All for the pure joy of floating down the slopes or through the trees in untracked powder in our Colorado mountain resorts. Here are the runs the Moving Mountains staff heads for to catch those first tracks.

steamboat  breckenridge  vail  beaver creek

steamboat RESORT

On a powder morning in Steamboat, the real magic lives in the trees. Here’s where our team heads when Champagne Powder® delivers.

"Some of my favorites are skiing the trees between One O'Clock and Two O'Clock, and the trees to the right of Two O'Clock." 
- Jason Santucci, Maintenance Specialist

"On a powder morning once the snowpack is established, Ted’s offers a sublime helping of perfectly pitched powder that will have you smiling all the way to the base of Thunderhead." 
- Robin Craigen, Co-Founder, CEO

"I actually head for the trees in between these two runs!" 
- Kathleen Russell, Reservation Specialist

 "Just love that line to Flying Z." 
- Robin Craigen, Co-Founder, CEO

"Closets on a powder day with a friend."
- Deb Trevor, Kitchen Inventory/Front Desk Specialist

See Steamboat Resort map here.

breckenridge RESORT

The above-treeline expanses of Peaks 6, 7, and 8 are the powder playground for many of our Breckenridge staff. They're an ambitious bunch since you have to hike to many of these runs.

"I love doing laps up the T-Bar to the Imperial lift and dropping into George’s Thumb, then Deb’s Alley or Vertigo and repeat!"
 - Nancy McDowell, Staff Accountant

"The aesthetics of Intuition are arguably more like what you’d see off some European piste, rather than Peak 6 at Breckenridge. Just to the right off the Kensho Superchair, you’ll be treated to a massive open bowl vastly more expansive than your average groomer. From there it’s dealer’s choice - drop in immediately and hug the right side to test your ungroomed skills, or traverse all the way over skier’s left side near some impressive cornices and take the line less traveled for some guaranteed fresh tracks. This run is equally about the views as much as the exceptional skiing, so take your time, make some extra turns, and find your way back to Kensho for that next lap. Variety is the spice - you’ll never take the same line down Intuition twice."
- Dalon Stone, Business Development

"Volunteer - I don't know why but my wife has to take it both first and last run every ski day"
- Justin Saunders, Photographer

"Forget Me Not on Peak 8. Great combination of terrain and can access other areas easily. Tends to be really quiet and no heavy traffic."
- Nancy McDowell, Accounting Assistant

"Mustang at Breck. "Double" black tree run off peak 10 in breck with good trees and some fun little kickers. Pete's Stash at Vail. If you know where to go it can't be beat. Football Fields at Beaver Creek, small hike leading to untouched powder. Steamboat I'll take the whole mountain, love it."
- Jacob Powell, Maintenance Technician

See Breckenridge Resort Map here.

vail resort & beaver creek resort

The Vail team makes a bee-line for the legendary Back Bowls.

"Laps off Skyline Express Lift in Blue Sky Basin is heaven on a bluebird day with fresh powder. I go between Lover's Leap, Iron Mask and Little Ollie. Then stop in at Belle's Camp to rest my legs, refuel, and take in the stunning views from the top."
 - Teresa Wiedel, Brand & Guest Experience Manager

"I generally stay in the trees, but if I'm on a groomer, I enjoy Riva Ridge. Great views, a mix of blues and blacks, and it's around 4 miles long."
- Skip Wilson, Assistant General Manager

"Cinch in Beaver Creek. It is wide open and steep enough to keep me floating over the powder."
- Arianne Hughes, Front Desk Specialist

See Vail Resort Map here and Beaver Creek Resort Map here.

Before you hit the lift lines, you'll want to fuel up for a day on the slopes. Check out our Staff Picks for the best breakfast spots in Breckenridge, Steamboat and the Vail Valley.