home of the Pure Awesomeness Factor Better Data, Better Skiing

Bear Claw

Black diamond Powderhorn, CO

Steepest pitch25°
Vertical777 ft
Length2,535 ft
Average pitch18°
FacesN
Top9,406 ft

Bear Claw drops 777 vertical feet over 2,535 feet of skiing, with a steepest pitch of 25° about 570 feet below the top. That's steeper than 24% of the 4,740 black diamond runs we've measured in North America, and the 23rd steepest of 48 named runs at Powderhorn. It faces north.

How well Bear Claw holds snow

Snow preservationExcellent

Facing north at an average 18°, Bear Claw gets about 57% of the winter sun that flat ground at Powderhorn does, December through March. That's shadier than 87% of the runs we've measured, and the shadiest named run at Powderhorn. Its top sits at 9,410 feet.

Shaded snow stays colder and drier, so it holds powder longer after a storm and is slower to crust over or turn to slush in spring. Shading from ridges and trees isn't counted yet.

Bear Claw profile

under 25°25–35°35–45°45°+ Hover to follow the line on the map.

Where it is on the mountain

Runs like Bear Claw elsewhere

Nearby at Powderhorn

Measured by ZRankings from 1-meter USGS lidar. Steepest pitch is the steepest stretch of about 50 vertical feet along the skiable line. Run lines come from OpenStreetMap and can sit a little off the skied path.