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El Niño brings November Pow to Silverton Mountain

Steady October snowstorms and cold temps have blanketed Silverton Mountain in an early indicator of what looks like a strong El Niño 2018-19 winter! El Niño typically pounds the southwest with huge storms and several El Niño winters have dumped record snowfall, so the 2018-19 season could be a good one. So far this season Silverton Mountain has seen 246% of average snowfall for October! What’s more- Silverton will be open with single run and 6 run heli skiing/boarding starting November 24th this year. The lift fires up on 12/27, but the chairlift is available for rent* also starting on 11/24. There’s no better way to get your ski legs ready than to break out your gear for some holiday heli laps.

Request your heli reservation TODAY by emailing the office with your group size, preferred dates, and contact information.

And in light of the increasingly awesome conditions at Silverton Mountain, both chairlift accessed and heli skiing spaces are filling at a record pace this year. Be sure to grab one of the prime dates for 2018/19 while you can.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR GUIDED TRIP TODAY, BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!

Interested in renting the chairlift before the official opening in December?

You can do it for as little as $9,900 per day.

Private Mountain rental is a unique and exciting venue choice for charity fundraisers, photo shoots, product testing/R&D, bachelor and bachelorette parties, or corporate events. If you bring 40 people that’s only $250 a person to have exclusive access to the Silverton guided chairlift terrain.

The pricing varies depending on the time of season, day of the week, and how many people you have. Rates are normally based on a max of 40 people, but requests for larger groups can be accommodated. Private mountain rental is available starting 11/24 of each season which makes it a great option for your company holiday party.

From 12/27 -4/14 private mountain rentals are normally limited to Mon-Weds (Thurs-Sun if you book well in advance). Prior to 12/27 and after 4/14 the mountain can be available 7 days a week. The private mountain is most commonly rented for charity/non-profit fundraisers and a great way to give and have a great day at the same time!

Powder Skiing and Snowboarding October 8 at Silverton Mountain!!

Winter is here with great snow at Silverton Mountain, Colorado this week!  The most recent winter storm over the past few days continues to dump snow on the high elevation slopes and some excited Silverton Mountain ski and snowboard patrollers made the first turns of the ski season.  As the patrollers rode up the chairlift today they were surprised to find such great conditions and celebrated the start of winter season at Silverton Mountain.  The fun factor was off the charts as the first lift served turns of the Colorado 2018/19 ski season were made at Colorado’s highest elevation ski area. 

Snow is in the forecast the next 4 days which may allow Silverton Mountain to open some upper mountain terrain in the coming days. Silverton Mountain is the highest ski area in North America with a peak elevation of 13,487’ and also provides heli skiing on adjacent terrain up to 13,552 feet high.  This uniquely allows Silverton Mountain to provide skiing and snowboarding on all natural snow as early as August in previous years.

THIS IS NOT A JOKE, this is not photoshop, the photos are from Monday, October 8, 2018.

For the first time ever Silverton Mountain will open for heli skiing starting in November 24, 2018 reservations required. The chairlift is slated to open 12/27/2018 but that could change.

$39 Heli Skiing at Silverton and 42 FREE Days with $149 Season Pass Deal!

$149 Season Pass Includes $39 Heli Skiing, Private Mountain Day, and 42 FREE days to partner resorts!

June 28, 2018…. In what must be the best deal ever in Skiing, Silverton Mountain is now offering $39 Heli Skiing, an exclusive Private Mountain Day, and 42 FREE DAYS with its Season Passes! Silverton Mountain is rolling out a big expansion to its $149 Unguided Season Passholders for 2018/19.   The upcoming spring unguided season at Silverton Mountain will now begin at its earliest time ever on March 21, 2019 and run Thursday-Sunday through April 14, 2019. That is a 166% increase in available ski days to the unguided season and yet the early bird Spring Unguided Pass price remains unchanged at only $149.

The $149 Spring Unguided Season Pass (early bird purchase price) includes the spring unguided season at Silverton Mountain, plus an exclusive private mountain day on March 20th, a $39 heli drop, 42 Free Days at partner resorts across the US, $89 guided Skiing*, and discounts on premium draft beers throughout the season. Partner resorts include some of the best “core” ski areas, as the corporate ski industry landscape continues to homogenize by the day.

On Wednesday, March 20th, season passholders will have exclusive private access to the mountain for a day of Skiing before opening the unguided season to the public beginning on March 21st. Silverton Mountain will be open Thurs-Sun (including Monday, Presidents Day) during the entire guided and unguided season.   Silverton Mountain is slated to open with heli skiing available November 24, 2018.  Guided season will begin December 27, 2018 and Unguided season starts March 21, 2019.

Only a very limited number of early bird $149 Unguided Season Passes will be sold for the 2018-19 season.  Until September 15th (or when the very limited supplies run out), you can purchase your Unguided Pass for only $149 (regular price $499).  * $89 guided skiing discounts are on standby basis.

BUY NOW.  Early bird priced Season Passes always sell out very quickly and only a limited amount will be available.

Participating Resorts

As of today’s date, the following resorts will have a reciprocal season pass program with Silverton Mountain offering 3 days at their resort for Silverton Mountain passholders:

  • Snow King Mountain, WY
  • Smugglers’ Notch Resort, VT
  • Red Lodge Mountain, MT
  • Eaglecrest, AK
  • Homewood Mountain Resort, CA
  • Sundance Mountain Resort, UT
  • Monarch Mountain, CO
  • Powderhorn, CO
  • Sunlight Mountain Resort, CO
  • Mission Ridge, WA
  • Brundage Mountain, ID
  • Mt. Bohemia, MI           *New 2018-9
  • Mad River Glen, VT      *New 2018-9
  • Mt. Baldy CA                 *New 2018-9

Silverton Mountain, located in Southwestern Colorado in the San Juan Mountains became the first mountain to cater exclusively to advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders in 2001.  The mountain has received numerous awards for leading the industry in steeps and powder snow. The ski area offers unique adventure Skiing/snowboarding including guided and unguided Skiing in Colorado, along with helicopter Skiing opportunities. www.silvertonmountain.com

10/10/2018 Edit: Pass has now risen to $249 tier after lengthy period of early-bird pricing.

32 Additional Free Days with 2017-18 Season Passes!

Additional days added to season pass providing 32 days of Free Skiing at Partner Resorts across America

Just weeks after announcing the season pass deal of the decade, Silverton Mountain is upping the ante to offer 12 additional FREE days at NEW Partner Resorts, Mission Ridge, (WA), Monarch Mountain (CO), Sundance Mountain Resort (UT) and Eaglecrest Ski Area (AK)! With the purchase of a Spring Unguided Pass ($149) or a Solid Gold Pass ($499), skiers and riders can now enjoy a whopping total of 32 days of free lift tickets at partner resorts, in addition to the season pass perks at Silverton Mountain.  “We are thrilled to have Mission, Monarch, Sundance and Eagle Crest join our reciprocal season pass program,” stated Aaron Brill, CEO of Silverton Mountain.  “The best deal in skiing just got even better.”

The $149 Spring “Unguided Season Pass” (early bird purchase price) includes the spring unguided season, plus an exclusive private day at Silverton Mountain on March 29th, along with half-price Heli skiing*, $89 guided skiing* and discounts on premium draft beers throughout the season.

The $499 “Solid Gold Pass” (early bird purchase price) includes all the benefits of the Unguided Pass, plus 10 days of guided skiing in December or January, and NEW for 2017/18- Guided skiing on two Sundays in Feb (4,11) and three Sundays in March (11, 18, 25), for a total of 15 guided days of skiing. The Solid Gold Pass now provides skiing at Silverton Mountain every month of the season.

Silverton Mountain’s ski season opens on December 28th and will continue through April 8th. Guided only skiing operations run through March 25th. On Thursday, March 29th, season passholders will have exclusive access to the mountain for a  private day of skiing before opening the unguided season to the public beginning on March 30th. Silverton Mountain will be open Thurs-Sun (including Monday, Presidents Day) during the entire guided season.

Only a very limited number of $149 Unguided and $499 Solid Gold Season Passes will be sold for the 2017/18 season.  Until September 1st (or until the very limited supplies run out), you can purchase your Unguided Pass for $149 (regular price $299).  Solid Gold passes can be purchased for $499 until September 1st (regular price $699).* Heli skiing and guided skiing discounts on standby basis only.

Season Passes sell out quickly and only a limited amount will be available.

Participating Resorts & Blackout Dates**

As of August 8, the following resorts will have a reciprocal seasons pass program with Silverton Mountain:

**The preceding resorts will each provide 3 days of free skiing to Silverton Mountain passholders (non-transferable) with certain blackout dates.

Go to Spring Unguided Pass Page

Go to Solid Gold Pass Page

These will sell out so act fast! Purchase Passes Here.

August 14, 2017 edit: Due to very high demand for the Solid Gold Passes, our early-bird inventory has been exhausted and the new price of the Solid Gold pass described above is $699.

17/18 Unguided Season Pass With Massive Perks

$149 Pass Includes Exclusive Private Day at Silverton Mountain and Up to 18 Days of Free Skiing at Core Ski Areas Across the USA

As Silverton Mountain begins its 16th year, it comes with the announcement of huge new benefits for Season Pass holders.  Silverton Mountain has teamed up with 10 of our favorite resorts to give you up to 32 days of free skiing during the 2017-18 ski season!  The new resort partners include Powder Mountain (UT), Red Lodge Mountain (MT), Homewood Mountain Resort (CA), Snow King Mountain (WY), Sunlight Mountain Resort (CO), Powderhorn Mountain Resort (CO), Monarch Mountain (CO), Sundance Mountain Resort (UT), Mission Ridge (WA), and Eaglecrest (AK).

The $149 Spring Unguided Season Pass (early bird purchase price) includes the Spring Unguided Season, plus an exclusive private day at Silverton Mountain on March 29th, along with ½ price Heli skiing*, $89 guided skiing* and discounts on premium draft beers throughout the season.

The $499 Solid Gold Pass (early bird purchase price) includes all the benefits of the Unguided Pass, plus 10 days of guided skiing in December or January, and NEW for 2017/18- Guided skiing on two Sundays in February (2/4, 2/11) and three Sundays in March (3/11, 3/18, 3/25). The Solid Gold Pass now provides skiing at Silverton Mountain every month of the season.

“We are thrilled to announce this new reciprocal season pass program with some of the best independent ski area operators in the country,” said Aaron Brill, CEO of Silverton Mountain.  “Silverton Mountain season passes were already a tremendous value with access to 1,819 acres of the best adventure skiing to be found anywhere on the planet and limited numbers of skiers each day, but now with the addition of 32 days of free skiing, an exclusive private mountain day, and ½ price heli skiing this makes the $149 Pass the best deal in skiing!”

Silverton Mountain’s ski season opens on December 28th and will continue through April 8th. Guided only skiing operations run through March 25th. On Thursday, March 29th, season pass holders will have exclusive access to the mountain for a day of skiing before opening the unguided season to the public beginning on March 30th. Silverton Mountain will be open Thursday through Sunday (including Monday, Presidents Day) during the entire guided season.

Only a very limited number of $149 Unguided and $499 Solid Gold Season Passes will be sold for the 2017/18 season.  Until September 1st (or until the very limited supplies run out), you can purchase your Unguided Pass for $149 (regular price $299).  Solid Gold passes can be purchased for $499 until September 1st (regular price $699).

*Heli skiing and guided skiing discounts on standby basis only.

Don’t Wait! Purchase Passes Here.

Participating Resorts & Blackout Dates**

As of August 8, the following resorts will have a reciprocal seasons pass program with Silverton Mountain:

**The preceding resorts will each provide 3 days of free skiing to Silverton Mountain passholders (non-transferable) with certain blackout dates.

Go to Spring Unguided Pass Page

Go to Solid Gold Pass Page

These will sell out so act fast! Purchase Passes Here.

Heli Skiing, Walmart, and The Epic Pass Era

In case you have not heard, KSL recently purchased a multitude of big ski resorts adding to their extensive portfolio.  Vail Resorts follows a Walmart-style approach to skiing by selling very popular inexpensive season passes to the masses that provide a tremendous amount of skiing at all their resorts.  On the surface, this seems like a huge win for skiers in the US with more skiing for less money and endless road trip possibilities with a single season pass.  Not surprisingly, the Epic Pass is incredibly popular and driving record profits to Vail Resorts, which is why KSL likely wanted in.

Walmart is also quite popular and profitable by focusing on selling at a high volume which allows them to offer the lowest prices.  Walmart is always busy, and so is Vail Resorts.

If you don’t care about massive crowds, then the Vail Resorts model is a great thing for skiing.  If you are a mid-sized or small ski area that is reliant solely on skier revenue to make ends meet, the Vail Resorts model presents several challenges.  Typically, when a new Walmart opens, it puts pressure on the smaller independent hardware and grocery stores.  The smaller stores cannot compete on pricing and many go out of business.  The hardware or grocery stores that offer a unique or boutique product continually adapt and survive, and many even thrive by offering products that Walmart cannot.  Perhaps it’s a unique birdfeeder that sells well and keeps the small business open.

Mid-sized and small ski areas many times struggle in the Epic Pass era as they can no longer sell enough lift tickets or season passes at their actual value. It becomes impossible for independent ski areas to price their tickets at what it costs to provide the product, let alone make a profit.  Mid-sized ski areas that have other profit centers, such as lodging, food and beverage, continue to do get by as best they can, but it gets harder every year to compete with Vail Resorts.

For ski areas that are strictly reliant on skier revenue, it’s even more challenging.  The Vail Resorts model has effectively devalued lift tickets, as many people scoff at paying for skiing at window rates when their Epic Pass covers so many areas.  Why would anyone pay for a day ticket during a road trip when a cheap season pass comes with so many places to road trip to.

Luckily, Silverton Mountain has popular products to offer, like guided skiing and heli skiing, which allows the ski area to flourish.  These products are the unique birdfeeder that keep the mountain operating in the Epic Pass era.  The opportunity to ski at an independent ski area shrinks every year, but the Vail Resorts model is only one of the contributing factors however.

In regards to heli skiing, there is so much misinformation being circulated regarding Silverton Guide’s recent heli approval that it is impossible to explain it all.  But the most common misconception is heli skiers will be dropped above backcountry skiers, and the heli will be detonating explosives above them, both of which are simply not true.  Silverton Guides has been operating heli skiing for many years in Silverton and San Juan County in areas much closer to popular backcountry areas, including Red Mountain Pass, and has never placed heli skiers or explosives near touring skiers. Silverton Guides has always been a good neighbor, and will continue to be so for every season to come.

Clauson Classic 2017 Recap

The Annual Clauson Classic at Silverton Mountain for 2017 was a great display of working hard, having fun, and helping others. Plenty of great folks signed up to see how many times they could hike to Billboard and Tiger Claw while supporting the Silverton Winter Sports Club.

The winner, with a total of five laps to the Billboard plus five bonus points, was Brian Johnson of Aspen, Colorado. Brian is a former Ski Patroller at Aspen Snowmass, and consistently ranks highly in mountain endurance events throughout the region.

In second place, and the first place female finisher, was Morgan Fortin of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Morgan is an up-and-coming star of the junior SkiMo race world, and with 3 Billboard laps, she is hot on the heals of the best women who have ever participated in the Clauson Classic.

Top 4 Finishers:

  1. Brian Johnson, Aspen, 5 billboard laps + 5 bonus points, total 55
  2. Morgan Fortin, Albuquerque, 3 billboards + 8 bonus points, total 38
  3. Stoney Molina, Silverton, 2 billboards + 1 tiger claw + 12 bonus points, total 36
  4. Megan McGrath, Silverton, 2 billboards + 1 tiger claw + 10 bonus points, total 34
IMG_9594
Staff & Guests all celebrating the life of John Clauson

In addition to winning the overall race, Brian Johnson earned the coveted Spirit Award from The North Face and Montanya Distillers for his super positive attitude, smiles, excitement about skiing with his son, background as a ski patroller, and his dedicated desire to go harder than anyone else.

Arguably the most important thing done at the Clauson Classic is sign up bone marrow donors with BeTheMatch.org. We had over 14 people sign up to help potentially donate bone marrow and save lives. If John had lived long enough, his only hope for survival would have been with a bone marrow transplant. You can still sign up online to be a donor.

Finally, all proceeds went to the Silverton Winter Sports Club, helping get the town of Silverton’s kids out on the slopes in a variety of ways.

Big thanks to Silverton Mountain’s partners, as well as Montanya Distillers, Cafe Mobius in Silverton, Mouse’s Chocolate & Coffee in Ouray, and the always amazing Venture Snowboards in Silverton.

We hope you’ll join us next year for the 2018 Clauson Classic, and don’t forget: BE LIKE JOHN!

Brewski 2017: Thrift Store Prom

Dust off your high school bow-tie and get the mothballs out of your best-worst dress, Brewski is back and better than ever!

On Sunday, April 2nd, 2017, join us for a rousin’ good time! The Brewski’s theme is THRIFT STORE PROM. Be like Macklemore: pop some tags at the local clothing re-sale store for something Prom-themed that’s so appalling, it’s awesome! Prizes from Silverton Mountain’s incredible partners will be awarded to the Thrift Store Prom King & Queen, and don’t forget the infamous dance off!

Beer will start flowing around 2:30pm. Purchase a wristband to the event when you check in on Sunday, April 2nd for only $15, and get a commemorative cup* with admission to the beer garden. Better yet, sign up for the Clauson Classic on the same day, which includes a lift ticket, stainless steel cup*, and admission to the Brewski!

After the Brewski, join us Sunday evening at The Eureka Station for an After Prom Party!

Returning Breweries for Brewski 2017:

Avalanche Brewing Company (Silverton, CO) – Winner of the 2016 Telluride Blues & Brews “Best of Fest“
Ska Brewing (Durango, CO)
Steamworks Brewery (Durango, CO)
Carver’s Brewing (Durango, CO)
Elevation Beer Company (Poncha Springs, CO)

New for 2017:

Golden Block (Silverton, CO)
BREW Pub & Kitchen (Durango, CO)
Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, CO)

Admission can be purchased the morning of April 2nd for $15, or is included with the Clauson Classic Package. Make your reservations for April 2nd here.

*While supplies last.

We ID: Must be 21 years or older to participate, please bring photo identification. Please no dogs at the base of Silverton Mountain.

The Clauson Classic 2017

“Be Like John” is a motto at Silverton Mountain. John Clauson was our Assistant Snow Safety director, guide and friend. No mission was too hard, no load was too much, and nothing couldn’t be done without a smile and a humble admiration for the beauty of the San Juan Mountains.

In honor of John’s legacy, Silverton Mountain is hosting the annual Clauson Classic endurance race! From the top of the chairlift, see how many laps you can hike up the ridge while you raise funds for the kids in the Silverton Winter Sports Club. The further you go and the more laps you get, the more points you will earn to win some awesome donated prizes. Points will be earned throughout the day in other fun ways as well.

This is a true Silverton-style day, not a super competitive SkiMo race. This is a fun event to work hard with a smile, do more than you’re asked to do, and celebrate the life of one of the hardest-working individuals you could imagine. While speed is an element of this event, working hard by adding weight to your pack and being positive towards other racers and everyone else at the mountain are more admirable and appreciated elements of this event. We will give an award to the participant who most embodies John Clauson’s positive and inspiring spirit throughout the day.

Great prizes to be given to the participant with the most points, a runner up prize, and the Spirit Award. Prizes will also be given out at random from our amazing Mountain Partners.

We will also be holding a Be the Match bone marrow drive at the event. If John had lived long enough, his only hope for survival would have been with a bone marrow transplant. You can also sign up online to be a donor.

Race Info:
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Register online or at 8 am at Silverton Mountain

Race Day:
Please check in between 8 and 8:30, even if you’ve registered ahead of time. Race starts at 9 am with first chair and ends at 2:30 pm in the base area. There will be two high points (Tiger Claw and Billboard, weather and snow condition depending). When you reach a high point, you receive a colored bracelet. These are worth points. At the end of the race, turn in your bracelets and we’ll add up your score!

Required Gear:
Like any day at Silverton Mountain, a beacon, shovel and probe are required. You must show these when you check in at the tent. You can also rent these at the mountain the day of the race.

Register for the event here for only $72! This price includes:

  • 1/2 price Silverton Mountain Unguided Lift Ticket for April 2nd
  • Clauson Classic Registration benefiting the Silverton Winter Sports Club
  • A commemorative stainless steel cup
  • Admission to the 15th annual Brewski Event (more info on this event coming soon)

Season pass holder? Event registration & Brewski entry can be purchased together at check-in starting at 8am on April 2nd for only $40. Includes commemorative stainless steel cup.

SM_CCposter2017

Spring Unguided Season Pass Returns!

We hope you are excited for the return of Unguided Season starting on March 31st! With events like the Clauson Classic, Brewski, Venture Snowboard’s Spring Fling, and the Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains, the first two weekends of April are set to be great times for everyone!

Don’t miss any of the fun or the fantastic skiing and snowboarding by purchasing a Spring Unguided Season Pass! Silverton Mountain has decided to set the price back to the original amount of $179, which includes a minimum of 6 days of unguided skiing and riding plus an EXCLUSIVE DAY of unguided mountain access for season pass holders on March 30th.

In addition to the Exclusive Passholder’s day, Spring Unguided Season Pass holders will get special price admission to the Clauson Classic and Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains, $2 premium draft beers in the tent every day, and $79 standby guided skiing and snowboarding before unguided season starts.

Quantities on this pass are limited, so act fast to make sure you make the most of the upcoming Spring Season Unguided dates and purchase your pass here.