Paragon Guides

Atomic Diran Ski – (106-72-98) We believe the Diran is a good “all around ski. It’s light weight provides a nice feel on the trail. Combined with a medium flex, the ski turns easily and handles well on trail descents. Lengths range from 15–190 cm.

G3 Targa T9 Cable Binding – Combining stainless steel for durability and

aircraft aluminum for lightness, we think the Targa binding is the most efficient backcountry, free-heel touring cable binding available. The cable binding provides additional torsional stability for turns and trail descents.

Garmont Excursion Boot – The 2-buckle Excursion is the lightest and softest plastic touring boot available. We believe that the balance between efficiency and stability are well matched with this boot. Tours and turns are maximized as well as comfort.

Black Diamond Ascension Climbing Skins – the “Backcountry Chair Lift”. Best glide-to-grip balance of all the brands we have tried. The nylon nap is durable yet supple enough to provide maximum glide on the trail.

Leki Adjustable Poles – light weight aluminum can be adjusted to fit height and purpose. Powder baskets help with deeper snow conditions. The touring handle is comfortable with

While our Colorado Department of Transportation works diligently to keep the roads clear during a storm, conditions can change very quickly and delays are not uncommon.

So here’s few tips for getting here:

•  Plan a couple days+ ahead of time to arrive. This allows for a good time-cushion if roads conditions are poor to wait it out in Denver or factor a slower drive to the High Country.  The drive from the Denver Airport to Vail / Avon is approx. 2 1/2 hours on good roads and longer according to conditions.  Interstate 70 was closed 70x last winter due to storms and accidents.  If you can, look up www.cotrip.org before your drive, to check on conditions.  They have webcams to show what some of the passes and other areas look like.

•  Take it slow! If you are driving up to the Vail Valley, even if you have rented (or own) an all-wheel / 4 wheel drive, please drive slowly if conditions are icy and snow packed.  Many, many incidents can be avoided by going slowly.

•  Arriving a couple of days ahead of time will also allow time for acclimating to a mid-level elevation of the Vail Valley before we take you up above 10-11,000′.

•  Plan also to attend our Pretrip Orientation Session at the Arrowhead Ski Area the day before the trip departs.  This is a great time to meet your guides and other trip participants, to discuss the gear and the route, to get outfitted in any rental gear you may need, and to spend a bit of time on the mountain skiing as well.  It is always good to ski on your rental gear and be sure that all is working right before you head in to the backcountry with it.

•  At the end of your trip, please plan to fly out the following day or later.  A tight travel schedule will likely be aggravated by snow conditions for driving.  If you fly out the following day or later after your trip, you have that ‘time-cushion’ to factor the 3+ hours it will take to get to the airport. Also remember, you have been backcountry skiing without a shower for 3+ days.  While you smell like the rest of your ski group, you won’t be too pleasant to your fellow shuttle passengers or flight mates.   A shower and a nice group dinner at the end winds up your great hut experience so wonderfully, who would want to miss that?!

Once a small homestead cabin sitting near the junction of McCoy Creek and the Eagle River, next a bunkhouse for ranch hands at the turn of the 20th century. In the late 1980’s Paragon reclaimed it’s original hand-hewn log character and moved it up the mountain creekside to create a cozy ‘first hut’ for our adventures. As the staging area for our trips, you will meet our guides here and be outfitted for your adventure. Whether trying on ski gear or meeting your llama sherpas, this little cabin in the woods is your first taste of hut life.

So how do you get to our little cabin in the woods? Well, these days although tucked in a quiet, woodsy nook, this homestead cabin is surrounded by the Arrowhead Ski Area (part of Vail Resorts) and the Country Club of the Rockies community, off Hwy 6 between Avon and Edwards in the Vail Valley. Taking the exit at either Avon or Edwards off Interstate 70 will connect you with Hwy 6 and our location. See the attached map.

Our guides will meet you in the Day Skier Parking Lot and commence their ‘first guide’ with you taking you to our secluded spot. The cabin is located off a ski run as well, making it convenient for our Pre-trip Orientation Ski Lessons.

One writer described our Backcountry Center as a ‘fitting portal’ to the backcountry.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.