Hidden deep in the San Juan Mountains, Silverton Mountain is far from your average ski resort. There is only one double chair lift serving nothing but expert terrain. It’s real high mountain skiing, with a base of 10,400 feet and a lift-served summit of 12,300 feet.
Terrain
The San Juans are some of the sheerest in the state. The steepest runs at most Colorado ski resorts are about 30°. This would be considered the easiest run at Silverton, where some slopes angle 55°. Silverton Mountain is also notorious for getting epic amounts of light Colorado snow, more than 400 inches a year.

One you reach the top of the chairlift, you can traverse and hike to more terrain. It’s up to you and your group how far you’ll hike. The hike-to/helicopter served vertical is 1100 feet greater than lift-served.
Only terrain that Silverton deems safe will be open to ride. Most of the runs are down avalanche chutes, so expert ski patrol is constantly working to minimize avalanche risk.
Both guided and unguided skiing is offered depending on time of year. Unguided skiing is available during the early and late season, while the majority of the season is for guided tours only. Unguided days run around $50 and guided days around $100.
This is the only ski resort in Colorado that requires every skier/rider to bring an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, and Colorado hiking pass. Backpacks are available for rent and include all the required back-country equipment.
Village

The historic, main street is lined with restaurants, saloons, shops and lodging. Kendall Mountain Recreation Area is located in town and offers a tiny hill for beginner skiing and riding.
Nearby Ouray is a scenic thirty minute drive north. It’s a fun place to stay for those exploring the Southwest. It’s known as the “Little Switzerland of America” and is full of winter attractions, like hot springs and ice climbing. Durango lies an hour south of Silverton.
Details
Address: 6226 Highway 110 North, Silverton
Phone: 970-387-5706
Season: December-April
Lift Hours: 9am-4pm, Thursday-Sunday
Mountain Stats:
- Elevation Peak- 13,487’ (4101 m)
- Lift-served – 12,300′
- Base – 10,400’ (3162 m)
- Lift-served Vertical – 1,900’
- Hike-To & Helicopter Vertical – 3,087’
- Skiable Area: 1,819 acres, 22,000+acres heli & hike to
- Average Snowfall: 400”+
Trail Map: Silverton Mountain (jpg)
Website: silvertonmountain.com
Popular Posts
Southern Colorado’s Dozen Secluded Ski Areas – Colorado conjures up images of sky high mountains and wide open ski slopes. Sometimes though you see resorts that are, shall we say, packed to the gills with people and lift lines that stretch all the way to your…
Season Opening & Closing Dates for 2019-20 at Colorado Ski Resorts – Every winter the Colorado ski season kicks off with great anticipation, usually beginning sometime in October at the first few resorts. The season opening and closing days are useful…
Ultimate Guide to the 32 Ski Resorts in Colorado – Colorado is jam packed full of epic ski resorts in nearly all corners of the Rockies. Depending on how each season kicks off, Colorado can have as many as 32 outdoor ski areas operating at its peak. The Rocky…