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Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains 2017

The best event for women on snow returns April 7-9, 2017! Join us for a weekend of steep skiing, networking, and a ton of fun for all. Ranked as the #1 Best Ski (and Snowboard) Camp for Women by Teton Gravity Research, this is the premier event of the season for women who love steep terrain and good times with great people.

Bring your friends and partake in phenomenal expert-only skiing and riding, networking, inspiration and education. Great après drink specials at Grady’s Bar for all participating ladies. This year, the end of season party will be a “Gold Rush,” paying homage to the minerals in the mountains and the incredible women who lived here well before there was a ski area. To celebrate this theme, bust out your shiny gold/silver clothing all day Sunday, and end the day by tasting some fancy gold and silver liquors from Craft Distilleries from throughout the region when the day is done.

The Annual Silverton Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains is a weekend packed with skiing and riding steeps, plus participating in educational and inspirational presentations from the most respected women in the industry. You don’t have to be pro to attend this fantastic event.

Previous speakers have included:

• Grete Eliassen: Red Bull Freeski Athlete, Fri Flyt magazine’s “Woman Skier of the Decade.” and President of The Women’s Sport Foundation
• Emily Coombs: Steep skiing & Alaska Heli Skiing Pioneer, Executive Director of the Doug Coombs Foundation
• Megan Michelson: ESPN Freeskiing Editor and freelancer
• Donna Carpenter: President of Burton
• Wendy Fisher: Former Olympian named one of the most influential female skiers by Freeskier Magazine
• Annie Fast: 1st Female editor of Transworld Snowboarding –or any snowboard magazine
• Alison Gannett: World Champion Extreme Freeskier and global cooling advocate
• Re Wikstrom: Photographer scoring covers of Backcountry, Freeskier & Skiing magazines
• Lisa Branner: Co-Owner of Venture Snowboards
• Tess Weaver: Former editor at Powder Magazine and freelancer
• Claire Smallwood: Powerhouse behind SheJumps.com and pro skier

For 2017, we are excited to announce Circe Wallace will be in Silverton to share her experiences. Circe was at the forefront of competitive snowboarding in the 1990s before becoming the “Jerry McGuire” of action sports as an Executive Vice President at Wasserman Media Group. Her client list includes Travis Rice, Paul Rodriguez, and a number of household names in action sports.

Still not sure you want to come? Check out last year’s event on Freeskier, Outside, and GearJunkie.

This year’s package is just $125 for 2 days of skiing/snowboarding, the speaker event (now with pizza!), drink specials at Grady’s Bar, a swag bag, the end-of-season party, plus discounts all over town for lodging and more.

Not your first meeting? The Brewski will be the weekend before Sisters’ Meeting, so we’ll be throwing a special party on closing day. We’ll also have pizza for you during the speaker so you don’t drink on an empty stomach, and you’ll be able to hear Circe better without all the rumbling tummies that were prominent during past Meetings. This package does not include lodging, but there are discounts available on the reservation page.

Make your reservations now and don’t miss it!

Silverton Mountain’s Big Mountain Bash

Clear your calendar and spend MLK weekend at Silverton Mountain! Our Big Mountain Bash is going down January 13th to the 15th, and features great prices on guided skiing and snowboarding with some pretty awesome perks.

Whether you’re new to big mountain skiing or riding, or you’re a backcountry veteran who wants to shred the gnar, there’ll be a group for you—and plenty of chances to challenge yourself and develop big mountain skills in the beautiful San Juan mountains. You’ll practice skills such as avalanche safety equipment use, proper route finding, terrain and snow selection, pacing and how to acclimatize at high elevation (you’ll be skiing between 10,000 and 13,400 feet). Guests will have the opportunity to work with true mountain professionals who intimately know the terrain at Silverton and can find the best snow on any given day as they show you how to operate safely and efficiently in a high altitude environment.

The package includes two days of guided skiing or snowboarding on Silverton Mountain’s (in)famous steep and gnarly terrain on January 14th and 15th, a great lunch from the local Kendall Mountain Cafe delivered to the mountain both days, a Welcome Reception on January 13th with drinks, and parties all weekend long where there will be plenty of swag up for grabs.

Big Mountain Bash Schedule

Friday, January 13

Check in to lodging (4:00 p.m.) at the Grand Imperial Hotel (see lodging details below)
Kickoff Welcome Event (7:30-9:00 p.m.) at the Miner’s Building (1069 Green Street) in downtown Silverton.
- Includes beer, wine, light snacks as well as guide introduction, snow safety briefing, demo/rental equipment pickup and more.

Saturday, January 14

Guided skiing at Silverton Mountain (9:00 to 3:00).
- Arrive at the base area at 8:30 to boot up and meet your guide.
- Guests will make brown bag lunch selections at the Welcome event and the lunch before will be delivered before skiing to eat with your group
Après ski party in the Silverton Mountain Tent (3:00 p.m.) with complimentary drink coupons.
Signature Bash at the Grand Imperial (6:30 p.m.)
- Guests receive two drink coupons, hearty appetizers, raffle tickets and more.

Sunday, January 15

Guided skiing at Silverton Mountain (9:00 to 3:00)
- Arrive at the base area at 8:30 to boot up and meet your guide.
Après ski party in the Silverton Mountain Tent (3:00 p.m.)
- Complimentary beer coupons, swag, plus awards to celebrate your big mountain weekend.

The Pricing:

The Big Mountain Weekend Bash at Silverton Mountain costs $429, which includes:

Two days of guided skiing
Two lunches
Two après ski parties
Welcome reception
Signature party at the Grand Imperial
Super Rad Swag

The Registration:

Click here to register for the Big Mountain Bash at Silverton

Questions? call Silverton reservations at 970-387-5706.

The Lodging:

Lodging at the Grand Imperial Hotel starts as low as $130/night, double occupancy. The hotel has a variety of rooms from hotel rooms to suites that can sleep 4-6 people. To book a room or a suite, contact the Grand Imperial Hotel by emailing Paula or call (800)-341-3340 and use the code “Big Mountain Bash.”

Other lodging options are available here.

Spend New Year’s at Silverton Mountain

Ring in 2017 with some of the steepest and deepest riding in the great State of Colorado! Our opening weekend starts on December 29, meaning the mountain’s snow will be pristine until you make your mark. New Year’s at Silverton Mountain is an opportunity to explore our vast terrain through a guided ski and snowboard experience. From December 30, 2016 through January 1, 2017, skiers will be treated to three days of guided skiing with professional guides, great lunches, fun swag, complimentary après drinks, a fantastic BBQ Rib buffet dinner and live music by Farmington Hill at the Grand Imperial Hotel. This will be a New Year’s party you won’t forget.

Sisters Ladies 2014 — Get your squad ready for 2017!

Whether you’re new to backcountry-style terrain or a veteran who wants to shred the gnar, there’ll be a group for you—and the chance to challenge and develop your big mountain skills in the beautiful San Juan mountains. You’ll practice skills such as avalanche safety equipment use, proper route finding, terrain and snow selection, and ski and hike at high elevation (you’ll be skiing between 10,000 and 13,400 feet). Guests will ski and ride with mountain professionals who intimately know the terrain at Silverton and can find the best snow during your visit.

The Gear:

No avalanche safety gear? No problem. Silverton Mountain offers packs with BCA beacons, K2 probes and K2 shovels. Guests will have the opportunity to demo the latest K2 skis, including models from the Pinnacle series and the women’s Luv Boat 105 and Remedy 112. We’ll also have brand new snowboards available from Venture Snowboards.

The Après:

Off-slope activities abound including a Welcome Kickoff event on Thursday, December 29th, followed by a dinner party at The Eureka Station on Friday evening, plus time to explore the authentic, historic mining town of Silverton, Colorado.

On the final night of 2016, The Grand Imperial is putting on a big event with a massive buffet style, BBQ rib dinner and local favorite Farmington Hill will be putting on a rockin’ concert all night long. Boogie down and spend the first hours of 2017 with us!

On top of this, we’ll have drink tickets available for Grady’s Bar at Silverton Mountain. There is no better way to spend time reflecting on the day in one of the most iconic bars in the ski world at the base of Silverton Mountain.

The Schedule:

Thursday, December 29

Check in to lodging (after 3:00 p.m.) at the Grand Imperial Hotel.
Kickoff Welcome Event (7:30-9:00 p.m.) at the Miner’s Building (1069 Green Street) in downtown Silverton. Includes beer, wine, light snacks as well as guide introduction, snow safety briefing, demo/rental equipment pickup and more.

Friday, December 30

Guided skiing at Silverton (9:00 to 3:00). Arrive at the base area at 8:30 to boot up and meet your guide. Lunch before will be delivered from the Kendall Mountain Cafe.
Après party in the Silverton Yurt (3:00 p.m.) with complimentary beer coupons.
Pastie Party at The Eureka Station (6:30 p.m.) Guests receive two drink coupons, hearty appetizers, dinner, raffle tickets and more.

Saturday, December 31

Guided skiing at Silverton (9:00 to 3:00). Arrive at the base area at 8:30 to boot up and meet your guide and receive your brown bag lunch.
Après ski party in the Silverton Yurt (3:00 p.m.) Complimentary beer coupons, swag, plus awards to celebrate your big mountain weekend.
Buffet-style dinner at The Grand Imperial Restaurant (7:00 p.m.) followed by live entertainment from Farmington Hill to ring in 2017

Sunday, January 1

Guided skiing at Silverton (9:00 to 3:00). Arrive at the base area at 8:30 to boot up and meet your guide and receive your brown bag lunch.
Après ski party in the Silverton Yurt (3:00 p.m.) Complimentary beer coupons, swag, plus awards to celebrate your big mountain weekend.

Make your reservations today and we’ll see you in 2017!

Why We Expanded Our Guided Season

Silverton Mountain is celebrating its 15th Anniversary Season with a nearly 20% increase in guided skiing availability. The season will open on December 29th and will continue through April 9th. Guided only skiing operations will run from December 29th through March 26th. Unguided skiing at Silverton is available March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, and April 7th, 8th, 9th only. Silverton Mountain will be open Thursday through Sunday (including Presidents Day on Monday, February 20th) during the entire guided season 12/29-3/26.

Some unguided guests have inquired regarding the decision to shift all the unguided skiing options to the spring. We loved these December and January unguided days as much as you, especially because it was when some of the most loyal skiers arrived at the ski area and the conditions that time of year tend to be outstanding. The economics involved with unguided skiing and riding over the past decade have been a challenge, and it was apparent that these December and January unguided dates have financial hurdles. In December & January, guided skiing is easier to operate, as we can work more harmoniously with the mountains during the major snow storms we tend to receive, and have larger amounts of terrain open each day. Unguided skiing requires a much more ballistic approach “fighting” mother nature most of the time. Following the more natural ebb and flow and evolution of the ski season, makes more sense operationally with unguided skiing options being offered in the spring where large amounts of terrain can be offered.

No matter what we could have set the unguided ticket price at, early season unguided skiing and riding created financial realities that had to be continually subsidized using revenue from other products.

As you are probably aware, Silverton Mountain does not operate any hotels, condos, restaurants, or any other revenue generating “amenities” that are commonly operated by large ski resort corporations across the country. We have no interest in building condos or selling luxury homes like the big resorts do to cover operating expenses. We operate on a revenue stream dependent directly from skier and snowboarder visits who enjoy our unique mountain adventure experience.

Silverton Mountain is offering a number of new ways to enjoy the mountain in 2016-17 that we hope all guests will enjoy. In addition to single-day and multi-day tickets that can be reserved by phone or online, Silverton Mountain skiers have several different season pass options. A limited number of Spring Unguided Season Passes are available for only $179 that include 3 free days at Monarch and 3 free days at Powderhorn, ½ price Heli skiing and $79 guided skiing on a standby basis. Many of our great events, including the Clauson Classic and Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains, will be during the Spring unguided season as well.

The Solid Gold Pass offers 10 days of guided skiing in December or January, plus the unguided ski season pass perks and 2 extra days at Powderhorn for $499 during limited early pricing. This means you can ski guided for less than $50 a day (a day at Vail is $159), plus have all the unguided dates.

Thank you for your continued support of Silverton Mountain during our 15th Anniversary Season. We look forward to skiing with you soon!

Discovering the Dream of Silverton Mountain

Tim Petrick has been in the ski business for over 45 years. Petrick is a published author with two books on skiing, was a 3X member of the PSIA Alpine Demonstration Team and has held various senior executive positions in magazine publishing, ski resorts and equipment manufacturing. Prior to joining Silverton Mountain as Chief Operating Officer, Petrick was the President and CEO of K2 Sports. We asked him to share his reflections after his first season in Silverton, and to capture what makes this place so amazing.

I first heard about Silverton Mountain in the late 1990s. At the time I was the Marketing VP for K2 Skis, attending the Snowsports Industries of America Trade Show in Las Vegas. I had agreed to a meeting with Aaron and Jen Brill where they told me about their idea for an adventure ski area in the San Juan Mountains. There would be no grooming, a single lift to provide access and virtually no amenities other than the skiing.

From a business perspective the Brills plan seemed like fantasy. At that point in time, sidecountry skiing was barely tolerated at most resorts across the USA. Fat skis were in their infancy. Rocker hadn’t been invented yet. Adventure skiing was a micro niche. I told Jen and Aaron that I didn’t think it would pencil financially but if they got the lifts running, K2 would be happy to sponsor Silverton Mountain.

Fast forward to Fall 2015 when I resigned as the CEO of K2 Sports and decided to return to the mountains after 25 years of increasingly “real” jobs. My career in the business had begun on the ski resort side and I was looking for a way to get back on the snow. It turned out that Aaron and Jen were looking for help and I started as Silverton Mountain’s first Chief Operating Officer in December 2015. This was one of those “am I dreaming” moments when everything seems to be too good to be true.

This past season at Silverton was incredible in so many ways. First there was the culture shock that came with moving from the traffic and population density of the Seattle metropolitan area to a very small town in the San Juan Mountains. The Town of Silverton has about 600 year-round residents and the buildings make the town feel like an authentic Western movie set. The pace is relaxed and the locals are genuine, hardworking, honest people who have chosen to live in this remote mountain town at an elevation that is 9,318’ above sea level. Moving to Silverton was a huge gear change but we felt immediately at home.

It is probably no surprise that the next thing I recall about my first season at Silverton Mountain is the skiing. First is the daily ritual of driving 6 miles on a dirt road to the base of the hill which doesn’t look like any other ski area you’ve ever visited. There’s a bottom lift terminal, a patrol shack, a half-dozen porta-potties, some picnic tables and a sprung-structure tent which serves as the lodge. The experience is raw and unfiltered. You and the 80 or so skiers who are there on a given day have only made the trek for one reason – to slide on snow. The purity of this shared pursuit of skiing powder bonds friends and former strangers with smiles and laughter. I can’t tell you how many times I heard from skiers last winter that they had their “best day ever” skiing at Silverton.

As for the skiing itself, Silverton Mountain is a winter playground with nearly 2,000 acres of advanced to expert terrain and an average annual snowfall of 400”. I got to sample a lot of the mountain last winter in the 50+ days I skied the hill, but I feel like I barely scratched its potential. In season #1, I got to know the major zones like Pope/Dope, Nightmare, Mandatory, Waterfall, Cabin and Tiger – along with time in the trees on the North side of the mountain – but there are so many features within each of these bigger areas that it will take years to really start to know where the best skiing is on a given day depending on snow and weather/wind conditions.

This is where Silverton Mountain’s guides come in. These guides have the experience and knowledge to find the best snow even if there hasn’t been a storm in weeks. Getting to know and work with this group of passionate, committed professionals is perhaps my strongest recollection of my first year at Silverton. They are constantly training and striving to improve their knowledge and execution in order to provide the best possible experience for our guests. They work hard, take their jobs seriously, and are truly quality people.

So that’s about it for my first submission to the Silverton Mountain newsletter and blog. I hope you will return to ski with us during the 2016/17 winter, or give us a try if you’ve never been here. Silverton is a truly special place with some of the best skiing on the planet. And it just might be the best day you’ve ever had sliding on snow.

Best Internship Ever!

Have you ever looked at your snowboard guide or master blaster ski patroller and wondered, “how do I get that job?” Well, if you apply for an internship at Silverton Mountain this season, you are taking the first step to getting a career made of outdoor dreams.

Silverton Mountain is currently accepting applications for the 16/17 season internship. Many of our former interns are currently working for Silverton Mountain as patrollers and guides, and others have been hired on to high-level ski patrol staffs throughout North America. Some have also used the internship to get their foot in the door for international guiding programs.

Internship Qualifications

In order to qualify, you need to have an unexpired Wilderness First Responder and/or Outdoor Emergency Care certification, as well as an Avalanche Level 2 certification. This position requires full commitment for four days a week from December through April.

This unpaid position does require extremely hard work and a very positive attitude, but the rewards are priceless for anyone who loves to spend time in the mountains. A willingness to take on new challenges is crucial and a predisposed love of wintertime, deep powder, and steep terrain is required.

If you think you’re ready for the best and most challenging winter of your life, send a resume and cover letter to info@silvertonmountain.com. You can also check out all of our current employment openings on our Employment Page.

Silverton Mountain Extends 2016-17 Operating Season

Silverton Mountain is celebrating its 15th Anniversary Season in 2016-17! We’re kicking it off with a nearly 20% increase in guided skiing availability. The ski season will open on December 29th and will continue through April 9th. Guided skiing operations will run from December 29th through March 26th, and unguided skiing at Silverton on March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, and April 7th, 8th, 9th. Silverton Mountain will be open Thursday through Sunday (including Presidents Day on Monday, February 20th) during the entire guided season.

“Based on feedback from our guests, it is clear that skiers and snowboarders enjoy more of the mountain and find better snow in the guided skiing experience,” said Aaron Brill. “As a result, we decided to offer more guided days during our 15th Anniversary season and to focus unguided skiing on the spring when the snowpack is more conducive to self-guiding Silverton Mountain’s terrain.”

Silverton Mountain is offering a number of new ways to enjoy the mountain in 2016-17. In addition to single-day and multi-day tickets that can be reserved by phone or online, Silverton Mountain skiers have several different season pass options. A limited number of Spring Unguided Season Passes will be available for only $179 that include 6 free days at other mountains, ½ price Heli skiing and $79 guided skiing on a standby basis.

The Solid Gold Pass offers 10 days of guided skiing in December or January, plus the unguided ski season pass perks for only $499 during our limited early pricing. In addition, Silverton Guides’ popular single-lift heli drops and All Day Heli skiing products will be offered from late January through early March. We anticipate the $179 Pass will sell out very quickly and only a limited amount will be available.

Dates are filling up quickly for guided skiing already, especially during the month of February. You can still get a day of guided skiing with heli drop for cheaper than a weekend anywhere alongside the I-70 corridor, and you’ll be riding the best terrain in Colorado to boot. The town of Silverton went through a ton of upgrades this year and is ready to impress first-time visitors and the seasoned regulars. Whether it be the constantly improving seasonal menu at The Eureka Station, locally made craft beer at the Avalanche Brewing Company, or the incredible renovations that went into The Grand Imperial Hotel, Silverton is better than ever.

“We are excited to be celebrating our 15th season of operation in 2016-17,” said Jen Brill. “There will be lots of fun surprises for our guests associated with our anniversary and we look forward to sharing the accomplishment with our amazing skiers and riders in the winter ahead.”

Thanks in advance for your support of Silverton Mountain and we look forward to seeing you on the slopes during our 15th Anniversary Season.

15th Annual Brewski Classic Returns April 3rd, 2016!

ONESIE EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE BREWSKI!

Join us at Silverton Mountain on Sunday, April 3rd for unguided skiing and riding all day and an afternoon of tasting fantastic craft beers from all over Colorado!

Bring out your best Onesie and remember that there are free giveaways all day long from our awesome sponsors, including K2 Skis, Venture Snowboards, The North Face, Smith Optics, Red Bull, Fischer Bindings, and Pabst Blue Ribbon!

Admission is $15 and includes a souvenir cup (while supplies last). Tasting starts at 2:30pm, must be 21 years old or older to enter event. Remember to bring your ID!

Avalanche Brewing Company, Steamworks, Elevation Brewing, Carver Brewing, Ska Brewing, and more will be in attendance!

RSVP on Facebook, wash your dad’s (or mom’s) onesie, and we’ll see you at the Brewski!

Looking to make things easier? Make an unguided or guided reservation for the day in advance.

2016 Silverton Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains

Join us for the ultimate ladies’ weekend at Silverton Mountain, April 2nd-3rd. Ranked as the #1 Best Ski (and Snowboard) Camp for Women by Teton Gravity Research, this is the premier event of the season for women who love steep terrain and good times with great people.

Bring your friends and partake in phenomenal expert-only skiing and riding, networking, inspiration and education. Great après drink specials at Grady’s Bar for all participating ladies.

This Annual Silverton Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains is a weekend packed with skiing and riding steeps, plus participating in educational and inspirational presentations from the most respected women in the industry. You don’t have to be pro to attend this fantastic event.

Previous speakers have included:

• Emily Coombs: Steep skiing & Alaska Heli Skiing Pioneer, Executive Director of the Doug Coombs Foundation
• Megan Michelson: ESPN Freeskiing Editor and freelancer
• Donna Carpenter: President of Burton
• Wendy Fisher: Former Olympian named one of the most influential female skiers by Freeskier Magazine
• Annie Fast: 1st Female editor of Transworld Snowboarding –or any snowboard magazine
• Alison Gannett: World Champion Extreme Freeskier and global cooling advocate
• Re Wikstrom: Photographer scoring covers of Backcountry, Freeskier & Skiing magazines
• Lisa Branner: Co-Owner of Venture Snowboards
• Tess Weaver: Former editor at Powder Magazine and freelancer
• Claire Smallwood: Powerhouse behind SheJumps.com and pro skier

For 2016, we are excited to announce Red Bull athlete Grete Eliassen will be in Silverton to share her experiences. Grete has won back-to-back gold medals at the Winter X Games, the Red Bull Cold Rush, and was named Fri Flyt magazine’s “Woman Skier of the Decade.”

Packages start at just $195 for 2 days of skiing/snowboarding and 2 nights lodging. Check out the full list of options, fill out this form and email it to us to register! Or call (970)387-5706 for more information.

Michelle Parker at Silverton Mountain January ’15

During January, 2015, Red Bull athlete and super rad skier Michelle Parker joined us for a few laps with Matchstick Productions in tow. Even when it’s early season at Silverton Mountain, there is always a ton of fun to be had, and no one makes it look better than MP!

We still have space for guided skiing in March 2016, which is when the snowpack is the deepest and the vibe is super relaxed. Plus, there are sleeper pow days that sneak up on all of us, and what could be better than Spring Break with sun, pow, and good times? Reserve your spot now and find out what Spring in the San Juan Mountains is like first hand.

Looking for more videos from Silverton Mountain? Check out some on our Video page.