Silverton Mountain Testimonials

Here are the words straight out of the mouths from those who love to ski and board Silverton Mountain.  If you want to Ski Silverton Mountain (link to epic pics) you will want to read this.  There is nothing like the euphoria of a solid ski adventure.  The rewarding feeling that comes with complete exhaustion lingers like the feeling after eating a beautiful steak.

"Silverton is a soulful touch of what the culture if skiing is truly about. 
Leaving behind the glitz and stepping into nature with a group of friends to
overcome obstacles in a healthy environment.  The beauty is in the
simplicity of Silverton Mountain.  It is a hut trip with a chairlift."
Chris Anthony, Professional Skier Warren Miller Film Star, Vail, Colorado

"Silverton Mountain is pretty close to the most pure skiing experience one can find today,  an epic mountain, bountiful snowfall (the deep and light Colorado kind!), and none of the distractions of other ski areas (crowds!)  Silverton is like heli-skiing with a chairlift!”
Chris Davenport, Professional Skier-Red Bull athlete, Aspen Colorado

"Silverton Mountain is pretty epic"
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa Professional Skier/ Film Star

"Silverton Mountain is definetly the place to be"
Gretchen Bleiler Professional Snowboarder/ Film Star/ Olympic Silver Medalist

"I think I am a regular here, I love Silverton"
Wendy Fisher Professional Skier/ Film Star

"Thanks again guys for an awesome experience backcountry skiing on your righteous mountain. Your staff and guides, made our day one of the most memorable days in years. We enjoyed every minute of the extreme skiing experience. We felt very safe throughout the entire day."
David Baker, Denver, Colorado

“My day on the mountain was probably the best ski day I’ve ever had. How can I ever consider going back to one of those strip mine resorts again?”
Dave Cox, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“You guys are the greatest ever. Words cannot describe the standard being set by Silverton. Ineffable.”
Michael Issacson, Louisville, Colorado

“This was a different experience, one that few skiers ever get the chance to enjoy.”
Paul Kirkland, Salt Lake City, Utah


“Ski Silverton Mountain (link to why to ski Silverton) is truly a gift to your community and to everyone who is fortunate enough to experience it.”
Mike Harmon, Greenwich, Connecticut

"If you're taking the family and are looking forward to après ski, shopping and crowds - go somewhere else.  When you are ready ski – I mean really ski - grab an avalanche beacon and a shovel and head to Silverton Mountain (link to Silverton powder shots).  We're booking the trip for the next 20 years...in advance!"
Randy Reiff, NY, NY

“I was impressed at how your staff manages the placement of groups so that no one feels crowded by other people, maintaining the backcountry feel.  The emphasis on getting fresh tracks for everyone on every lap was great.  I liked the way the guides communicated to relay where fresh snow could still be found.  Your operation is running like a well-oiled machine.  It all added up to great day at Silverton Mountain.”
Ben Pritchett, Crested Butte Colorado

"Silverton Mountain is a fantastic mix of the modern steep and deep free-riding experience and a simple throwback to the days of skiing lore when ski areas were the sole domain of passionate snow-sliders. Silverton offers a unique guided backcountry skiing experience similar to cat-skiing at the cost and safety levels of lift-accessed skiing. Silverton defines the pure essence of snow-sliding: great terrain, great conditions, wonderful people!”
Ben Gibson, Montreal, Canada.

What some magazine had to say.....
Silverton Mountain

LA TIMES 2002

Boston Globe 2005

Rocky Mountain News Aug 2006

MSN-NBC Jan 2006

New York Magazine 2006

USA TODAY 2006

The Globe and Mail 2005

Transworld Snowboarding 2003

National Geographic Adventure 2005

National Geographic Adventure 2001

Powder Mag Online

Skiing Magazine

Tips for getting the most from your Guided Silverton experience: 

 1) Prepare for the high altitude.  You can start taking Diamox one day before you arrive for best results (RX.  Recommended dose 125mg twice a day) or Ginseng 100 mg twice a day starting 5 days before you get here.  Viagra also works.  If you are coming from sea level, skiing a easy partial day before your Silverton day will help with the altitude.


2) Relax!  There is no mad dash to ski it up as fast as possible like at a regular ski area.  The nice thing about Silverton is the snow will still be there, so relax and enjoy your day.  Guided skiing moves at a different pace than at a hectic ski resort with high speed lifts and agro attitudes.   Most groups ski 4-5 runs a day (8,000-12,000 feet of vert) and are completely worn out.  But if you want to ski as much vert as humanly possible by skipping lunch, snacks, and bathroom breaks and sprinting instead of hiking, let your guide know and they will try to accommodate you.


3) If there has been a big dump or change in winds recently, don't expect to be skiing steeper lines.  It can take a while to get steeper runs open.  Tree skiing is more common after fresh snowfall.  Many times we will try to get a few great runs open further out on the ridge as quickly as possible, so we may hike right past fresh snow in runs(even with big blast holes in them) not yet opened, to get to more distant terrain.  Our snowpack is unlike any other so please have patience, stability assessment takes a bit longer in the San Juans.  Many times we will start to blast a run, only to learn that it needs more time before we can open it. Skier compaction allows us to keep the mountain open.  Please feel free to ask your guide what that means.


4) If you are of an exceptional fitness level, and want to ski the steepest, most rocky, 6 foot wide chutes all day at a frantic pace, try to bring your own group of 8 skiers.  Eight is the magic number for getting your own group.  If you are a returning guest and want to request a guide, feel free to do so when you arrive.  The mornings are hectic so please make your request more than once.  Private guides are also a great option.  Most people enjoy skiing the regular steeps of Silverton with standard groups at a regular pace.  But we know there are some (about 2%) who aren't happy unless they are going as big as possible all day.  To best accommodate the needs of insane skiers follow these tips.

5) Pay attention to your guide all day, exactly.  The guide will only take you where he feels comfortable as their priority is your safety.  The better you listen, the more the guide can open it up for you, (longer pitches, steeper lines etc).  Let your guide know if you want to huck your meat, or ride steeps as much as possible.  If you don't tell them they won't know.  The guide may not be able to accommodate your request based on snow conditions and avalanche hazard, but they will try their best.

click here to check out more about Silverton Mountain