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!