Frequent Questions for Guided Trips

How does this place work?
There is one lift and you typically hike along ridgelines. We have guided and unguided skiing, depending on the time of year (see later questions). It is all advanced/expert skiing only.

Do I need to jump off cliffs to ski here?
No. Although we have plenty of cliffs, unless you are looking to hit them you will be fine keeping your skis on the ground all day.

What time should I arrive?
If you need equipment and are going in a guided group, it is a good idea to arrive around 8:15 to get your gear and be ready to get in a group for when the lift starts at 9 am.

What airlines fly into Durango/Montrose?
NEW for 2009-2010…Allegiant Air now offers direct flights between LAX and Grand Junction on Mondays and Fridays.

Frontier Airlines (daily from DEN) into Durango 3 flights per day (prices have dropped as a result). United (daily from DEN), and America West (daily from PHX) fly in and out of Durango with several flights each day on each airline.

The Montrose airport has American (daily from Dallas DFW), Continental (daily from Houston), Continental (from Newark- Sat only), Delta (from ATL daily), United (daily from Chicago ORD), United (daily from DEN), United (from Sat& Sun).

How far from Montrose, Durango or the closest airport?
The town of Durango is closer and easier and is approximately 1 hour away. The airport is 1.5 from the mountain. Montrose is 1.75 hours. Driving from either direction requires driving over a mountain pass, and we recommend renting a 4-wheel drive vehicle if it is snowing.

Are there any shuttle services to Silverton?
YES! New for 2011-12 local Silverton shuttle business check them out at
Link to website http://www.mountainsideconcierge.com/
Phone number 970-769-2259

What do I need to bring?
Ski/snowboard boots. We have no snowboard bindings so bring your own and hardware. There is no running water at the ski area, but there is bottled water for sale. It is a good idea to bring layers of clothing.

Do I need to bring my own avalanche equipment or can I rent from you? You need to have a beacon, shovel, and probe to ski or snowboard. We have these for rent. Each item can be rented separately. We have DaKine packs for rent (which the guides use) if you need a pack that carries skis/snowboard. If you need to rent equipment you may easily do it when you book your reservation.

What kind of ski rentals do you have?
The best skis on earth… K2 super fat skis are available for rent. We have all the latest K2 powder skis. You can reserve them online when you make a reservation , or by calling. The size and all fittings will be taken care of that day by our rental professionals.

Do I need avalanche training to ski/snowboard there?
No.

Do I need skins or snowshoes for the uphill travel?
No. However if going with a custom heli package you may want to bring them.

When and how much is guided-only skiing?
See Guided Skiing Page

What about a private guide?
Private guides are available and it is a great way to go if you wish to travel with your own group and at your own pace. See Private Guide Page .

How big are the guided groups?
8 or less

How do you form the groups?
In the morning there is a self-classification process of fast and medium. This applies to both hiking and skiing. We try our best to match abilities. If groups are mis-matched we try to keep extra guides on hand to switch people in and out. Please communicate with your guide.

How many guided runs do you get in a day?
3-7 runs and 6,000-14,000 vert. Most skiers are exhausted at the end of the day. Those used to high speed lifts and banging out 30 runs in an hour have a tougher time adjusting to the Silverton pace. Those who enjoy the excitement of exploring new lines and quality over quantity find themselves right at home.

How much vertical does the lift provide?
Almost 2,000 feet

How many people are on the mountain during guided-only?
Approximately 80 skiers or less.

What days are we open?
See Schedule of Operation Page

When does the mountain close for the day?
Lift stops uploading at 3 pm

Is there an age limit, can I bring my kids?
Seven is the youngest we’ve ever had at the mountain, and because there is a good amount of hiking, kids often tire fast. But they are welcome if they can keep up. Private guides are a good option for kids. People under 18 need their parent to sign a waiver. You can contact us in advance.

How much hiking can I expect?
Anywhere from 5-45 minutes along ridgelines, depending on grouping. There is also quite a bit of skiing right off of the lift that requires no hiking.

How many lifts?
1

What about food and water?
We have lunch orders available for $12 a day, you can order in the morning. We have water, soda, beer, liquor and a full bar at the mountain. Snacks and candy are available, but bringing your own food as a supplement is also a good idea.

Where can I stay?
Please check the Lodging Page . There are many different options.

Is there camping in the area?
Yes, you can camp on the road on the way to the ski area but you need to move your car if snows in order for the plow trucks to get through.

What skis should I bring?
The fatter the better. Bring equipment you are comfortable with that way if you don’t like the rental skis (which never happens) then you have your old standby to trade into.

New terrain opens almost every day after additional avalanche control. Many times the freshest snow may be on Thursdays, but over the weekend more terrain typically opens each day so you will usually find the most terrain options on Sunday. This means fresh powder is usually available every day of the week regardless of when the last snow fell.

1) Prepare for the high altitude. Check with your physician first before taking any medications. You can start taking Diamox one day before you arrive for best results (RX. We are told that the recommended dose is 125mg twice a day, but check with your Dr.) or Ginko Biloba 125 mg twice a day starting 5 days before you get here. Viagra also works. If you are coming from sea level, skiing a easy partial day before your Silverton day will help with the altitude.

2) Relax! There is no mad dash to ski it up as fast as possible like at a regular ski area. The nice thing about Silverton is the snow will still be there, so relax and enjoy your day. Guided skiing moves at a different pace than at a hectic ski resort with high speed lifts and agro attitudes. Most groups ski 4-5 runs a day (8,000-12,000 feet of vert) and are completely worn out. But if you want to ski as much vert as humanly possible by skipping lunch, snacks, and bathroom breaks and sprinting instead of hiking, let your guide know and they will try to accommodate you.

3) If there has been a big dump or change in winds recently, don’t expect to be skiing steeper lines. It can take a while to get steeper runs open. Tree skiing is more common after fresh snowfall. Many times we will try to get a few great runs open further out on the ridge as quickly as possible, so we may hike right past fresh snow in runs(even with big blast holes in them) not yet opened, to get to more distant terrain. Our snowpack is unlike any other so please have patience, stability assessment takes a bit longer in the San Juan’s. Many times we will start to blast a run, only to learn that it needs more time before we can open it. Skier compaction allows us to keep the mountain open. Please feel free to ask your guide what that means.

4) If you are of an exceptional fitness level, and want to ski the steepest, most rocky, 6 foot wide chutes all day at a frantic pace, try to bring your own group of 8 skiers. Eight is the magic number for getting your own guided group. If you are a returning guest and want to request a guide, feel free to do so when you arrive. The mornings are hectic so please make your request more than once. Private guides are also a great option. Most people enjoy skiing the regular steeps of Silverton with standard groups at a regular pace. But we know there are some (about 2%) who aren’t happy unless they are going as big as possible all day. To best accommodate the needs of insane skiers follow these tips.

5) Pay attention to your guide all day, exactly. The guide will only take you where he feels comfortable as their priority is your safety. The better you listen, the more the guide can open it up for you, (longer pitches, steeper lines etc). Let your guide know if you want to huck your meat, or ride steeps as much as possible. If you don’t tell them they won’t know. The guide may not be able to accommodate your request based on snow conditions and avalanche hazard, but they will try their best.