Updated 4/15/08.

 Winter Schedule of Operation Found in General Info Page
Now Open Sat-Sun. 

Record Snowfall Set Last Week!- (4/15) After the 3 day long dump last week we have exceeded our previous snowfall record.  Now that we have topped 550" for the season, what might the rest of the season bring?  Breaking 600" would be fantastic!  In 2005 we hit 550" in mid May, and that year November was a huge snow month.  This season November was a bust with barely any snow so we have had substantially more snow in a shorter period of time in 2008.  (All season snow totals include early season snow, as unlike many ski areas our early snow is part of our base that we ski all season as it does not melt off very much at these elevations. If we had to rely on snowfall on opening day alone to open the area, we would have no base and if it's part of the base, and it gets skied why shouldn't it be included it in the totals?) 

Approaching Snowfall Total Record With Good April Storms- (4/9)  We have already set a record for the deepest snowpack experienced at the mountain this year with average base depths 2-3 times of normal. Since snow does not fall in an even blanket the depths always vary on the mountain (our measurements are based on actual snow depth and not water equivalent).  Major terrain landmarks that normally are always there are now fully buried.  10-15 foot high cliffs that are always poking out on big snow years are completely gone, and major gullies have been flattened out to smooth aprons.  Snow depths on sunny aspects on the backside that usually are only a few feet deep or dirt are 6-8 feet deep.  With another good storm we will also surpass our snowfall record which was set in May of 2005.  Upper mountain depths would be several times higher if the winds had not blown so hard this season.

Unguided Spring Season Opening Day Best So Far With 500" New Snow-  (4/4) As unguided skiing returned the conditions could not have been better.  21" of new snow fell since Monday so the skiing was top notch.  Ropedeedope through Billboard opened as planned with plenty of room to spread out.  This latest storm pushes us over 500" for the season.  Although we had 550" of snow in 2005, the coverage now is even better than 2005.  Let's hope April keeps dumping to break the season snowfall record.

Unguided Ski Season Returns-  (4/1) After a fantastic guided only season, unguided skiing options return for the remainder of the season.  With fresh snow awaiting the skiing should be excellent.  The plans are to have Billboard through Pope Face Open for unguided skiing, but weather could easily change that plan.  Terrain openings change daily based on changes in wind, snow, avalanche or temps.  Remember that reservations are not required for unguided, but we recommend pre-purchasing tickets online if traveling long distances just to be safe.

Date of Opeartion for April: 4,5,6 &12,13, & 19,20, & 26,27.   The Purgatory Pass Deal ended December 23rd, 2007.
Unguided Spring Ski Tips:
1)  Follow the sun.  Hit the Backside first, then Westside.  The Backside gets the sun first so the snow will usually be best if you hit it first.  In the spring the backside will usually close at 11am due to wet snow avalanche hazards so get it while it is open in the morning.

2)  Hikes of longer than 25 minutes usually close by 1:45.  Be sure to arrive early if you want to hit the longer hike-to terrain.  Ski patrol needs time to sweep at the end of the day and the more distant areas usually close first.  Terrain options get scaled back near the end of the day, so don't wait until the end for the classic run.  Last lift upload is at 3:00pm.

3)  Figure out which way is North once you hit the top of the mountain.  The mountain has all kinds of exposures and depending on the wind direction, the wind will usually load some aspect extra deep.  Some areas will always be deeper than others, but if you stay north it is a good place to start, unless of course the wind loaded south sides that day. 

4)  There is usually new terrain open every day.  If you want to hit the extra distant hikes it is usually best to wait a few days after fresh snow.  The ski patrol needs time to open new runs and they keep working further out each day.  Hikes beyond 45 minutes usually require a guide, but the majority of the terrain can be accessed without a guide.  However guides can ski runs before they open to unguided skiers when conditions allow. 

5)  You can usually find fresh snow for two weeks after a storm.  With 1,819 acres and only a few skiers a day, you might see a bunch of people at the base area (because the parking lot is so small), but once you get up top there are so many nooks fresh snow abounds.  You just have to look for it.  Obviously the areas that can be seen from the lift get hit first and most often, but they might not be the best so keep looking and you will find it.

6)  Certain areas of the mountain have thin cover all season long, regardless of what type of snow year it is.  Snow does not fall in an even blanket in high alpine mountains.  A foot of fresh will likely not leave any of the new snow on the ridge tops but deposit it in favored locations.  The ridges are usually thin all season as the wind scours the snow from them and loads it on the slopes.  Super steep areas like Waterfall Ramp, Two Smokes, Skid Mark etc. are thin all year because the snow has a tough time sticking to these steep rocky areas.  You just have to accept that it is thin for a short section in those areas and enjoy the great snow above and below them.  Snow settles rapidly, so 3 feet of new snow may be reduced to 1 foot of new snow within 24-36 hours. 

7) There will always be sucker tracks heading to big dead end cliffs or ice falls on the backside.  Don't assume if someone else made it, that you can also.  It is always best spend 5 minutes to hike up 30 feet and traverse around cliffs than to keep heading down into 'no mans land'.  Scout before you drop and you can find all sorts of fun. 

Big Time Terrain Open-  3/10/08 With all of the Billboard, Zone 4, Wet Spot and the Grande Open it doesn't get much better.  Record snowpack and amazing terrain make for a great time.

Who Likes it Deep?-  2/25/08  As we approach 200% of average snowpack the mountain continues to shrink as the snow piles up.  Gullies and cliffs are disappearing on a regular basis.  The seasonal snow total now exceeds 450".  If we luck out with a good March and April we could blow past our previous snow total record.  We have gotten more than two feet of new snow each week of the season, except once this year.  Every week (except one) has had fresh snow and fantastic conditions from December 1 through today.

It Keeps Dumping With 36" of New Snow Overnight!- (1/28/08)  This is insane...  Another 3 foot storm drops in 12 hours.  With two good storms this week we have now received more than 50" of new snow this week.  All roads to Silverton and the ski area are closed.  With at least 2 feet of snow in Silverton Town we are estimating 3 feet at the base of the ski area with substantially more likely at mid and upper mtn locations.  This now brings our seasonal snow total to more than 325".  This is a season to remember and there are still reservations available for Feb and March.  Stay tuned for road openings as we will try to be open for this Thurs if all goes well.

Almost 250" of Snow This Season!-  (1/9/08) With 62" of new snow in the past few days, this has turned into the best snow season on record.  If this pace continued we would receive over 1,000" of new snow this year (at least we can always hope).  The skiing has been unbelievable this season with fresh and deep snow for each weekend.  Each of the 6 weekends so far has provided plenty of powder skiing and great terrain.  I hope you have been here to enjoy the best conditions Silverton has ever had. From the 48" of new snow on opening day Dec 1, 2007 through today it has been insane.

Massive Storm Drops 9 Feet in Last 10 days(12/12/07)-  This is the best December in history!   We now have a 110" base on the upper mountain and 58" in the parking lot.  Sunday night the snow kicked in again and dropped 20" to cover last weekend's tracks.  The skiing has been insane.

Looking for Heli Skiers-  We would like to bring in the heli for avalanche control on a more regular basis, so if you would like to be added to our heli ski list let us know.  The heli drops are usually on short notice as we don't know exactly when we will want to conduct heli control work.  The heli drops are obviously lot's of fun and the least expensive way you will heli ski in the lower 48 at only $150 per drop.  As far as we know there are no other places in the lower 48 where you can pay by the run.  Most drops occur across the valley from the lift in Zone 4, and occasionally when all the stars line up we also drop the lines off of Storm Peak in Zone 5.  Please email the best # to reach you on short notice (evening number).  Helicopter services provided for Silverton Mountain by independent contractors.

Lift Modified to Spin Faster for 2007-08.  Special program will allow speed to be increased on the rare busy day.  So far there have been two busy days in 7 years, but with 1,819 acres the mountain has plenty of space to spread out once you hit the top of the mtn.  Nothing like a fixed grip flying at you at high speed.  Ticketing process modified as well for faster service.

update:1-31-08 season & gpasses no longer available

Winter Season Passes Are On Sale Now-  Now is your chance to get a Silverton Mountain Season Pass.  From now until we sell out our very limited number of season passes, you can purchase an unguided season pass at early season rates (prices subject to change at any time). 

NEW... 
$350 10 Pass (of unguided skiing)
10 days of unguided skiing at Silverton Mountain.  Also includes 2 Free days of skiing at Purgatory, 1 Free day of skiing at A Basin and 1 Free day of skiing at Monarch for 2007-08. 

$699 Unguided Season Pass ($300 less than 06-07 early price)-
Gets you the unguided season plus the pass also includes
4 Free ski days at A-Basin
5Free ski days at Monarch
6 Free ski days at Purgatory

Plus-
Discount Walk On's for Guided Skiing at only $79
Free Use of Summer Mountain Bike Park
Premium draft beers for only $2.00 all season
A Free Red Bull each day you ski

$1,799 Solid Gold Pass-Very few will be made for sale.
You get all the perks from the regular Unguided Season Pass
Plus-
11 Days of Guided Only Skiing.

$59 Free Skiing with G- Pass(only available online using discount pass button)-Now on Sale for Only $59 (early discount price).  With a G-Pass you will be able to purchase discounted unguided $39 tickets all season long (during unguided skiing).  G- Passes are available to anyone from anywhere.  Card holders will also have a special line to buy tickets with. G Pass also gets you 2 Free days of skiing at Purgatory, 1 Free day of skiing at A Basin and 1 Free day of skiing at Monarch for 2007-08. 

Details:  The passes are only good for unguided skiing.  All of January 17 through March 30 is blacked out (meaning you can not ski between those dates except for your 11 guided days with a Solid Gold Pass).  Your 11 guided days require reservations.  Nothing associated with the pass is transferable.  The passholder and only the passholder may use the pass at Silverton or the other ski areas.  G-pass/10 pk & Passholders MUST come to Silverton Mountain to activate the pass.  Blackout dates for other mountains are as follows: DMR: 12/26-12/31, 1/18-1/20, 2/16-2/18, 3/15-3/23 & Monarch: Dec 26-31.  The pass and associated benefits may be revoked or suspended for not following mtn rules.  NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.  Some areas will give a medical injury refund, we are not one of them so please stay healthy.  Additional details apply for all passes.  Call for more info.

Our goal is to open as much terrain as possible to unguided skiing every day (based on snow safety).  The unguided boundary constantly shifts around the mtn as the snowpack changes.  Guided skiers during the unguided season are allowed access into certain areas of the mountain that are not quite ready for unguided skiers (these areas are constantly shifting around the mtn as well.).  There may be pockets of hazard or temperature fluctuations that make these areas better suited for guided or unguided skiing on any given day.  There is no arbitrary boundary between the two which allows a tremendous amount of terrain to be open for both unguided and guided skiing every day.  On any given day there is usually more unguided expert terrain open at Silverton Mountain than any other ski area in North America.

Summer

Gravity Fest 2007-  Thanks to everyone who came out for the summer weekends of 2007.  It was a lot of fun and the weather could not have been any better.  A new 40 foot gap with a 20 foot stepdown was built and hit by one hardcore individual.  For the right guy you could hit back to back 40 foot gaps as the new jump runs right into the creek gap with lots of speed.  It seems like everyone enjoyed riding the Beav which will keep getting better each year.  Hope to see you in 2008.

June 23 & 24- The Beaver has been buffed and stuffed with 14 new jumps.  Many of the old jumps from last season have been built larger and it is a blast.  The rest of the mtn will be 100% ready to go (as long as it does not rain this week) as we have been shoveling snow this week. 

Bike Season Dates of Operation 2007:  June 23 & 24 (sat & sun), and the Freeride Gravity Fest June 29, 30, & July 1(fri, sat & sun). If we get a solid turnout for the two weekends we might reopen again later in the summer. $27 all day,  $15 Single lift ride or scenic ride.  Hours 8:00am - 1:30pm.

The month of June has the least amount of lightning which is good, as the rest of the summer can bring lighting on at 10 am which is not good for lift ops or bikers.   The same weather that drops loads of snow in the winter, drops buckets of rain and lightning in the summer many times starting before 11am so we are sticking to June only at this time (although we will be open July 1).  Sunday, July 1 will be the last day of the bike season for 2007.   If you have an excavator, dozer or bobcat and like to ride let us know.  Volunteer Trail help is always appreciated, email for more info. 

Freeride Gravity Fest Event List 2007-  The dates for the original Freeride event in Colorado for 2007 are as follows.  Friday June 29- Gravity Fest Comp (for best overall freerider).  Saturday June 30- Best Trick/Big Air event.  Sunday July 1- Best Image Photo and Film Comp and Freedom Freeride Party.

All the events are low key and rider judged.  No need to enter an event if you just want to ride all day.  Cash money, SKA beer, RED BULL and great prizes.  Ride hard, go big, and let your friends be the judge.

If you have not yet been to Silverton, you need to be an advanced rider.  You don't need a big bike, but it's much more fun if you have one.  The trails have been hit by guys on no suspension bikes.  We recommend 4" or more of travel, full face helmets and full pads(rentals available at the mtn).  Almost all the stunts can be rolled if you don't want big air, but you should be capable of hitting 2 foot drops or you will be walking a lot. 

Expect challenging riding loaded with stunts, drops and jumps on 2,000' of lift served vert.  We focus on building new trails and new hits every week.  Silverton features true Canadian style riding in southwest Colorado.  Only one hour from Durango, 1.5 from Telluride, but the legit trails feel like worlds away.  

The trail crew once again will be working the entire month of June building new features for the opening. Camp out for the whole weekend so you don't miss any action.

2 Miles of New Bike Jump Trail Finally Riding Perfect-  After a serious month of trail building, 'Crazy Beaver' is now open with more than 25 new hits.  Although it started very rough in a some places, it keeps getting better every day.  We finally got a solid rain and it's now riding excellent.  We are now making the hits bigger to match the speed you can get.  Don't miss July 4th, the last day to ride the new trail and likely the best day to ride it.

5 Days of Freeride Fury Event List-  The dates for the biggest Freeride event in Colorado are as follows.  Friday June 30: Warm up and practice day.  Saturday July 1:  Gravity Fest Comp (for best overall freerider).  Sunday July 2: Best Trick/Big Air event.  Monday July 3: Best Image Photo and Film Comp.  Tuesday July 4th-Freedom Freeride Party.

All the events are low key and rider judged.  No need to enter an event if you just want to ride all day.  Cash money, SKA beer and great prizes.  Ride hard, go big, and let your friends be the judge.

 

Links:
Telemarktips.com

National Geographic Adventure

Bike Magazine

Feed the Habit

LA Times