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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Meet your Silverton Guides: Shocklee & Maria
Every month, we’re featuring two fantastic Silverton guides at the ski area so you can get to know what makes them so awesome and why they devote their winters to showing you the best terrain in Colorado and beyond.
For March, we’re recognizing John Shocklee and Maria Kallman. These two guides have nearly seen it all over the years, and know how to show every guest in their respective groups a good time, every day of the season. Read on to find out why they keep coming back to the steepest and deepest terrain in Colorado every season.
John Shocklee
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? I have been guiding for the last 15 seasons.
What do you love about Silverton Mountain? I love being able to ski it every day. This is my version of a ski pass, being able to work and ski at this ski area as much as I want. It would be hard to imagine a better place.
What is your favorite thing about skiing? I love skiing so much because… well, for so many reasons. It’s the freedom of being able to freefall in control. Especially the feeling of floating in powder on a steep pitch. I also love being able to go places in the winter that are more difficult to access in the summer. The only thing that would come close is riding a mountain bike off-trail, but everywhere you ride has the smooth consistency of a trail. It’s hard to describe, but it’s just an amazing feeling.
Is there a particular reason you became a professional guide? I got it into my head that guiding would be a way better profession than sitting behind a desk all day. I knew I wanted to be outside, using my body for work. Guiding has evolved into a primary skill of mine. I first discovered this while being a river guide. It took a little while to adjust to not having complete control of guests in a boat compared to the freedom that comes with skiing, but learning how to hand this made me a better guide on snow and on water..
What is your go to gear? Fat K2 skis with telemark bindings are a given. Dakine packs have always treated me well, and so have Smith goggles and shades. In fact, I just got my Smith Pivlock Overdrives adjusted for my prescription.
Describe your favorite memory of Silverton Mountain. There are so many good ones. Being able to ski Two Smokes making two turns is a fantasy for many, but I’ve been able to do it twice [Note: Two Smokes is a notoriously sketchy run that usually involves a rope and very careful descents]. Once was when I was escorting 23 pro athletes during the Red Bull Cold Rush. I remember making two turns through the choke, and looking back and seeing all these amazing pro athletes making airs into the run. It was a sight to see.
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? This is my 8th year with Silverton Mountain, and my 7th year guiding. This is my 4th season part-time, as I am also a Physician Assistant in the emergency department in Grand Junction.
What do you love about Silverton Mountain? I love facilitating challenging, eye opening, FUN outdoor experiences for people in the spectacular San Juan mountains. The dynamic nature of the guiding requires critical thinking and maximal situational awareness at all times due to countless changing variables including snow, weather, and terrain nuances that take a lifetime to learn, plus the group dynamics, skier abilities, and physical challenge. Above all, what keeps me coming back each year is the team I work with, what I consider to be the Silverton mountain family.
My favorite thing about skiing at Silverton mountain is the lack of pressure to “get the good snow before it’s gone.” Nobody’s throwing elbows in the lift line, or trying to breathe down your neck on the bootpack.
What is your favorite thing about skiing? How else would we experience the beautiful exhilarating winter mountain environment? Skis allow us to move around an otherwise impenetrable environment with such ease and speed. And the feeling of flying…
Describe your favorite memory of Silverton Mountain. I have too many great memories to pick a favorite, but just last weekend I was on the bootpack near Ropedee 2 and came upon a flock of ptarmigans. Then, on literally the same run skiing out the road on the backside I scared off a coyote. Where else do you get to see wildlife like that at a ski area?
Meet Your Silverton Guides: Jeremy & Jess
Every month, we’re featuring two stellar Silverton guides at the ski area so you can get to know what makes them so awesome and why they devote their winters to showing you the best terrain in Colorado and beyond.
For January, we’re recognizing Jess Wegert and Jeremy Yanko. Both of these guides started their guiding careers at Silverton Mountain, and are still here to enjoy the incredible terrain and snow found each winter. Read on to find out why they keep coming back to the steepest and deepest terrain in Colorado every season.
Jess Wegert
Sometimes Jess snowboards with K2 Lockjaw poles, which is a great idea at Silverton Mtn! Photo: Calvin Davenport
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? Since 2010.
What do you love about this ski area?I love the people that I get to work with every day. There’s so much mountain experience, knowledge, and wisdom within the staff, and each day I get to work with these people is a true treat. Silverton Mountain is a dynamic place to hold a job which means that my duties are continually evolving, which helps to keep the job from becoming routine. All of these things together make for a really exciting place to work.
What is your favorite thing about skiing/snowboarding here and in general? The options and diversity. Silverton Mountain has something for everyone: awesome treeline runs, wide open alpine bowls, steep rocky chutes, and the list goes on. There’s the lift to help get up to a tremendous amount of hike-to terrain. It really is an extreme shredders dream.
Is there a particular factor that made you want to be a professional guide? Working here has helped me realize that I can share this experience of riding in our beautiful mountains with people from across the country and from all around the world. The best thing to hear after a day of guiding is “WOW thanks for such a great experience!” Hopefully, I can help to send home an increased appreciation for the mountains and the environment that I live in.
What is your Go-To Gear? I have to go with Venture Snowboards. I started riding Venture when I began guiding a Silverton Mountain, and have since become one of their Ambassadors. I love supporting a local manufacturer committed to sustainability, and prefer the feel and durability of their bomber solid core board compared to every other board I’ve owned.
What is your favorite memory of Silverton Mountain? I will never forget the first time I ever hiked to the top of the Billboard in 2005. The beautiful views and excitement of the climb were great, and then looking down the rock lined awesomeness of the Dope Chute only made it better. I knew then this was the coolest place shred in Colorado, and that if I ever wanted to live in Silverton I would have to figure out how to get a job here. I never looked back after that experience.
Jeremy Yanko
Jeremy knows where to find the goods. Photo: Ian Matteson/Backcountry.com
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? I am entering my 12th Winter with Silverton Mountain.
What is your favorite thing about this ski area? I love the adventure skiing at Silverton Mountain. You have to thank the terrain for the most part, but each rider can embellish and relish in the adventure by choosing to hike for turns or ski remote terrain all day via helicopter. Most runs are not straight forward and have some component to manage whether it be the classic constrictions on the East side, or attempting to nail good conditions as the wind, sun and temperature do their magic on the West side.
Why did you become a Professional Ski Guide? Silverton Mountain lends to creativity as you play the weather and choose where to go based on team strengths and, of course, where the coldest powder is located. The mountain has a wonderfully high elevation where the snow tends to stay consistent or a little storm can go a very long way.
More generally, Silverton Mountain is a good place as the staff is a tribe who recognize the genuine skiing experience, and it shows how psyched we are to be here doing this job. We’re fortunate to enjoy and share this funky ski area all season long.
What is your Go-To Gear? I have been continually impressed with K2 Skis, especially the versions that are 120mm underfoot or wider, and their ability to take such a hammering everyday and still provide a fun ride all season long.
What’s your favorite Silverton Mountain Memory? My favorite memory of Silverton Mountain is a culmination of memories skiing on storm days. They are simply the best and pretty damn tough to beat!
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.
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.
Every month, we’re featuring two stellar Silverton guides at the ski area so you can get to know what makes them so awesome and why they devote their winters to showing you the best terrain in Colorado and beyond. Check out January’s addition about Jeremy and Jess here.
For December, we’re recognizing Kim Grant and Calvin Davenport. Together they have two decades’ worth of experience giving guests the best days of their lives. Read on to find out what makes them tick and why they are fully committed to the Silverton Mountain Experience.
Kim Grant
Kim with another great group of clients
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? This winter is my 13th season at Silverton Mountain.
What is your favorite thing about Silverton Mountain? I love the camaraderie here. I love the crew. I love that we laugh every day. A lot of the crew has worked together for many years; we know how each other operates. We know each other’s strengths, we know what needs to be done and we get it done safely and efficiently. It’s not easy — it takes a lot of hard work and discipline — but it’s also a lot of fun.
The terrain, the snow and the fact that everyone gets a taste of the goods everyday are my favorite things about Silverton Mountain in general. The San Juan Mountains are some of the most magical mountains in the world.
Why did you become a Professional Ski Guide? A guiding career kind of fell into my lap one day, so I wouldn’t say there was one thing in particular that made me want to be a professional guide. But, when I decided to take the opportunity seriously, I realized that this is what I wanted to do. I worked hard to make a name for myself in the industry and earn the respect from fellow guides. My favorite thing about guiding (besides making a living by being outside, ha!) is helping and encouraging people to accomplish things that they didn’t think they could or would do otherwise. I believe getting out of your comfort zone, whether physically or emotionally, is a good way to build inner strength and character.
What is your Go-To Gear? Definitely my K2 Hellbents and all of my cozy North Face gear!
What’s your favorite Silverton Mountain Memory? I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about my favorite Silverton Mountain memories here to protect the innocent…but I will say that I will never forget the celebration of John Clauson’s life (former Silverton Mountain assistant snow safety director who was diagnosed with Leukemia) and the salute we gave him at the top of the billboard. Generally my favorite memories are a time line of the Mountain from the beginning days when there were just a few of us, to watching the mountain grow to what it has become today.
I am happy and proud to be a part of this unfolding story of Silverton Mountain.
Calvin Davenport
Calvin leading the way into new terrain
How long have you worked at Silverton Mountain? I have been a Silverton Guide for the past 7 seasons.
What do you love about Silverton Mountain? I love Silverton Mountain because of it’s relaxed atmosphere. On a powder day there is no race for first chair and great snow can be found all day long. I really like returning to the base area with my group after a run and the place is deserted, nobody in sight. We walk to the bottom of the lift and ask the operator to start the chair. Silverton Mountain feels like your own personal ski area.
One of my favorite aspects of being a Silverton guide is exploring new places on the Mountain. There’s tons of terrain to check out and even some of the most experienced guides are still finding new lines through our the seemingly endless trees.
Why did you become a Professional Ski Guide? Skiing has always been my passion. I grew up ski racing, and learning how to carve the perfect turn at a young age provided me with a solid base to further my love for the sport. I found ski racing to be fun but I grew tired of training all day. About that time, the first pair of twin tip skis were produced and skiers started entering the terrain parks. It didn’t take me long to make the transition from ski racing to freestyle skiing. I loved freestyle skiing and did some competitions throughout high school, but at age 20, I fractured my Tib/Fib and missed an entire season of skiing. When I returned to the sport a year later there was still some pain in my leg, so I knew I needed a change. I then decided I wanted to learn all I could about “big mountain” skiing. I didn’t know anyone who skied in the backcountry, so I needed some mentors. Interning at Silverton Mountain seemed like a great way to learn from some of the best. Since then, becoming a professional guide has just been the natural progression for me as a life long skier.
What is your Go-To Gear? I own many pairs of skis, all of them are K2 fat skis. As long as they are fat, like the K2 Pontoon, I know I’m gonna have a good time.
What’s your favorite Silverton Mountain Memory? My favorite memory of Silverton Mountain happened before I started working here. It was my initial introduction to the mountain. I was 12 years old and skiing with my dad and all his friends. I was able to out-ski all the old men in the group, but was completely exhausted by the end of the day. Our guide for the day planted a seed in my mind with one statement. He said, “Hey, you’re a pretty good skier, maybe you should work here one day.” A lot happened between my first ski at Silverton and making the decision to come work here, but I feel I owe a portion of it to the first guide I skied with as a kid. Heck, that guide might have been John Shockley.
