Snowmass’s Long Shot trail checks every box for intermediate skiers looking for a great adventure, representing one of the only North American blue runs that requires a hike to access. PeakRankings broke down exactly what makes Long Shot at Snowmass stand apart from every other blue run in the continent.
Being one of the only intermediate trails in the country that requires a boot pack to access, many skiers attempting it will be doing their first hike-to experience. The hike is short by North American standards and manageable for anyone in decent cardio shape, but it filters out the casual crowd and keeps the run lightly tracked.
Long Shot stretches five miles in length and drops approximately 3,000 vertical feet, making it a serious commitment for a blue trail. That combination of distance and vert gives the run a feel that is genuinely unlike anything else at the intermediate level. It does not feel like a groomer you knock out in a few minutes and forget. It feels like an actual mountain experience.
The variety along the way adds to that feeling. Skiers can duck into glades, hit side features off the beaten path, or simply lock into a grooming groove and let the run breathe. There are enough options to make multiple laps feel meaningfully different from one another.
If you love intermediate terrain and want to do something that actually stands out in that category, Long Shot at Snowmass belongs on your bucket list. The boot pack, the mileage, the vert, and the variety all add up to something that feels rare for a blue run anywhere on the continent.
