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Ski Silverton
Silverton Mountain Ski Resort may not be the first name you think of for world-class skiing... but if you're a serious or expert skier, perhaps it SHOULD be. This four-corners area resort is found north of Durango, within the San Juan National Forest. Ouray, Silverton and Placerville form a triangle, with the better known Telluride in the middle of those points. Ouray has been quietly making tracks as the “Switzerland of America” for many years now. The dramatic and breathtaking views along the way have delighted visitors since the 1800's, and Native American tribes have visited the area for 10,0000 years. But that still doesn't quite explain why Silverton doesn't get the press it so richly deserves.
To ski on Silverton Mountain is to, as they say, “Ride Colorado.” Steeper and Deeper is another catchy extreme sports soundbyte, but what's the real skinny about this place? Well, let's see... Ranked #1 in the nation for Steeps AND for Powder. Experts and pros agree that Silverton is Epic skiing. Why? In part, because it was formed by skiers and snowboarders, rather than commercial investment designers. Here's what some people have been saying about the skiing at Silverton: "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, Vail, Colorado and "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/ Film Star, Red Bull athlete, Aspen, Colorado. That pretty much sums it up, don' t you think? If you've got the ability, this mountain has risen to the occasion. If you don't have the knowledge, skills and abilities yet, you can obtain them through the Silverton Outdoor Learning and Recreation Center (SOLRC). This non-profit teaches experientially, directly, within the mountains. While Silverton may be as good as it gets, this is NOT a resort for beginners and intermediate skiers would be well advised to take careful appraisal of themselves and their recent abilities as well. This is the real thing, backcountry skiing, and while it's exciting, an awesome ride, skiing at this level defines “Extreme Sport.”
When you've finished pushing (and being pushed by) the envelope and its time for the apres-ski, you'll find yourself in good company... but just because people come there for the skiing doesn't mean you'll be suffering miserable food fare. The Brown Bear Cafe is a local favorite for meals, while the Silverton Brewery provides both ale and grub. There are other bars, restaurants and coffee houses, of course. When the skiing is this good, this epic, that's pretty much all you think and talk about anyway!
If you're qualified to be going toe-to-toe with Silverton Mountain, you already know the drill, so we won't bore you with tips about layering clothes, powder jackets, wind chill, frostbite, etc. Just come prepared and in decent shape, and ready to have the time of your life!
