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***UPDATE*** IT HAS BEEN SNOWING NON-STOP SINCE MY VISIT TO SILVERTON – MORE INFO AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST!
I’ve been visiting Silverton Mountain almost yearly since they loaded their first guest on the infamous double chair that summits at 12,300ft. Why? First of all, they almost always receive early snowfall, so skiing in December can be quite good. Secondly, the terrain, views and consistent pitch to the valley floor is hard to beat when compared to other resorts in Colorado. I’ve done guided, unguided and of course their heli-skiing operation. Over the years, their heli permitted terrain has increased tremendously and its definitely one of the top places in North America for a more Kiwi-like feel of heli-skiing.
Don’t worry if you don’t get in the bird though, there are tons of bowls, chutes, cliffs and steep tree runs to keep anyone happy via the chairlift. And remember, it is the highest Ski Area in North America with a peak of 13,487ft so make sure you stay hydrated….friendly tip there.
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February 19th, 2015…
Hey guys, drop me off up there on that chute!
On a bludebird day, its one of the most scenic places in Colorado…
Hanging out, having a chat, about to drop in…
The Southern view doesn’t disappoint either…
The lift accessed terrain is on the left…not too shabby eh?
Grande was a bit wind scoured up high…
The skier’s point of view…
But the snow improved on the descent…
Cold smoke turns down to the cat track…
Definitely some decent vertical…
Some nice turns coming in from the other side…
One of the most prominent lines at Silverton Mountain is the Gnar Couloir. I was fortunate to ski it in early 2012 in some variable conditions.
On this warm day, we flew a few zones over to the East…
Sheltered north facing trees were the most consistentโฆ
On another lap, below the wind scoured ridges, some texted snow begged to be marked…
The snow improved at lower elevations…
Hippy pow indeed…
A black and yellow bird…
Natural halfpipe anyone?…
Bluebird, no wind and fun skiing…
Perfect day in the mountains…
Time to wiggle some turns…
Good view of additional terrain…
Nice view of the San Juans…
One last lap…
Heli over Storm Peak…
All the chutes and couloirs in this photo are fair game when the conditions cooperate…
A nice view of the lift served terrain at Silverton…
Last run of the day…
***BELOW IS PHOTOS OF SILVERTON MOUNTAIN’S INSTAGRAM FEED SHOWING THE NON-STOP SNOW…LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY NOW BE BOOKED THROUGH MID-MARCH SO YOU BETTER ACT FAST!
Powder Skiing…
Looking tasty…
Riding through a cloud…
This photo is unreal…
And check out this forecast…
Sick – gotta get there. Hopefully next year!