The name evokes reverence among even the most extreme shredders. Silverton Mountain, with its legendary powder, steeps, and rocky chutes, is a proving ground for the most experienced skiers and snowboarders. "Even top pros have gotten scared up on the mountain," says Jen Brill, Silverton's co-owner. "But that's refreshing if it's been a while since you scared yourself." Enough said.
All skiers and boarders are required to have avalanche gear (beacon, probe, and shovel) to get on the lift (avalanche training not required)—another good indicator of the nature of this place. Silverton boasts one-of-a-kind, ungroomed, lift-accessed, backcountry skiing, topped off with equal parts glory and danger. Want proof? They've only got one lift. At first blush, this modest stat reads like a typo, but this singular two-person chair loads up at the 10,400-foot base and deposits skiers at a heart-pounding 12,300 feet. The superlatives tell it all: Silverton is the highest ski area in North America; it is also steeper and has more expert terrain than any other.
Those willing to huff it up to Storm Peak at 13,487 feet will get what they pay for-a panorama of Colorado's spectacular 14,000-foot San Juan Mountains and a 3,000-foot vertical descent blasting down through plentiful off-piste powder. Skiing at Silverton can happen straight off the lift, but hiking the area's plethora of ridgelines accesses untold amounts of untracked lines—and really that's what Silverton is all about.
Silverton offers both guided and unguided skiing, depending on the time of year. Since its inception in 2002, it has operated with guided-only skiing (reservations required) that placed a mere max of 80 skiers on the slopes on any open day. The mountain's unguided skiing is a new, welcome detail launched in 2006, but skiers without a guide must stay within certain boundaries. This year, unguided skiing runs from December 1st through January 13th and begins again April 4th through 27th. Between January 15th and March 30th, however, the mountain offers only guided skiing Thursdays through Sundays . Guided skiing is still available during unguided timeframes; this service is highly recommended for first-time skiers at Silverton, as the runs, which boast daunting names like Twig Snapper, Concussion Woods, Dope Chute, and Hell's Gate, are sometimes difficult to follow—and a few end in cliff bands.
Silverton's rustic "charm" extends far beyond its single ten-minute-to-the-top chairlift (don't worry, your quads will thank you for it). There is no running water here, the only food option is a pre-ordered $10 lunch sack, and the "day lodge" sits in a tent-like structure with old benches pulled out of a bus. An old laundry van is the shuttle that moves skiers from the bottom of certain runs back to the lift. But, the requisite après ski beer (and full bar) is readily available at Silverton's base area tent to quell the pain will definitely come after a day of carving these steeps.
The town of Silverton, located about two hours from Telluride and one hour from Durango, Colorado, also has a primitive allure. This old, remote mining town has a population of almost 800—and one paved road. As one might expect, lodging, dining, and drinking options are limited. Silverton Mountain's website humbly suggests that visitors can camp in their cars along the six-mile road that stretches up to the mountain.
Those that make the trek to this mecca will benefit from packing their fat skis and boards and a bit of good karma—an extra set of cahones will probably come in handy, too. Silverton Mountain will, undoubtedly, put skiers to the test.
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$60 or less;