Silverton got its 40 year permit.

Tony Crocker

Tony Crocker

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Staff member
I've learned to check Marc's Ski News before posting this kind of info, but:

1) He referred to a Rocky Mountain News article that didn't connect on my computer.

2) Here's the direct release from the ski area: http://www.silvertonmountain.com/news.php .

2005-06 will continue the guided skiing through March 2006 as in past seasons.

Silverton will test unguided skiing for the first time in the more stable snowpack next April.

I would assume most FTO readers would applaud Aaron and Jen's success in establishing a ski area of Silverton's nature through the arduous red tape and approval process.
 
sweet!!! Oh, if I had the money I would buy a lifetime pass. I keep hinting to my wife that I could sell all my earthly possesions and just live in a tent at the base.

I am also happy that their intintion is to keep the resort small. I really think this place is good for silverton as it brings a bit of life there in the winter months. I would hate to see silverton turn into telluride though.
 
Who has skiied silverton? What were your impressions, favorite routes...?

I used to go backcountry boarding up around the red mountain summit when I was in college? There is some pretty incredible terrain up in those areas, also some pretty scary areas. I'm really most excited about the guided experience. They offer some pretty cool clinics.
 
Tony Crocker":2913dfsd said:
I would assume most FTO readers would applaud Aaron and Jen's success in establishing a ski area of Silverton's nature through the arduous red tape and approval process.
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Right on!!! Not all Ski News is bad (ie. Wolf Creek over-development).

=D>
 
Tony Crocker":361051hp said:
This thread is highly recommended so you will know what you're getting into. IMHO if you live near sea level you need to be in Colorado for close to a week before skiing Silverton, as you will be hiking at 12,000+ feet.
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When I was talking about Good News, I'm meant about the ski business and low-impact to the environment.

As for the running of the business operations, that is a whole different ball game I can see by reading the thread. :roll:

Thank you for the link, definately something to think about for us older low altitude people.
 
I've probably said this before, but altitude sensitivity is unique to each individual. Age has little to do with it, and in fact alpinist Wally Berg told me that adolescents are more sensitive to altitude that adults and that adults are least sensitive around age 45. In 1999 my son Adam (then age 14) had more severe altitude symptoms climbing Mt. Whitney (14,495 feet) than I did at age 46.

But the variation in altitude sensitivity among individuals is great, and most skiers should have a general idea from their experience at ski resorts of varying altitude. Nearly all flatlanders notice sleep altitudes of 9,000+ feet (Summit County, Crested Butte, Telluride in Colorado, Taos) for a couple of days. If your skiing is noticeably impacted at 8,000 foot resorts like Aspen, Vail, Snowbird, Mammoth you should presume a minimum one week acclimitization for is necessary for Silverton or backcountry skiing with mapadu :) .

The fitness question for Silverton is: how tired do you get from carrying 20 pounds up say 750 vertical feet? Most FTOers wouldn't consider that a big deal. So the relevant question is: how many days of acclimitization do you need before you can do that comfortably starting at 12,200 feet? In my case I'm OK at a slow and steady pace on the 3rd or 4th day, but it would be about a week before it felt completely normal.
 
Tony Crocker":k9h5ue0h said:
Age has little to do with it, and in fact alpinist Wally Berg told me that adolescents are more sensitive to altitude that adults and that adults are least sensitive around age 45.
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I'm not 45 yet :lol: . Seriously I have been sensitive to altitude many times, rarely more than a spliting headache.

Worst experience was I was age 25 at Flaine (1600m base) in France, I hadn't had discomfort two years previously on my first trip out West (Whistler is relatively low). Mind you it was training camp for your University Ski team, so early morning jog, logged alot of mileage free skiing and gates, some times drinking at night. :roll: Let's say I wasn't careful and resting enough or drinking enough (WATER!!!). :?

I also had minor discomfort after the 3 days skiing at Whistler at age 30 (generally when it's hits me). It true, we were starting at first chair until last run... we were exausted.

Since that trip, I started drinking alot of fluids, being careful what I eat and not over doing it in the first few days. No problem in my last two big trips.

The only problem I had in the Alps in 2003 was skiing la vallée-blanche from l'Aiguille du Midi (3900m) in which I had a bad headache after a while. I was too busy taking pictures and keeping up with the group than drinking water.

Last trip at Mammoth, not a problem except maybe physical fitness in altitude, but on the 3 days skiing... I never felt better. Mind you, it was the day I turned 40. :shock:
 
I have skied Silverton on 4 different occasions -- 2x Dec, 1x Feb, 1x Mar. Aaron and Jen have both been my guides. In December, I have oftened trained with new guides for the season.

I really like the operation. It is really unique. To call it a ski area -- hmmm, I wouldn't do that. And maybe that is where my problem lies with this new development.

I think 'guided skiing' is the best option for Silverton, not unguided. I am not a fan of $100 lift tickets, but Silverton's terrain warrants a guiding service.

The quickest way to make Silverton -- the next Telluride -- is to allow the unguided skiing. With more skier traffic, Silverton will ski exactly like Telluride. Unguided skiing will make Silverton average, and -- right now -- it's very unique.

Why? The mountain is poorly set-up for traditional skiing.

1. Access. The chairlift primarily runs up a north-south ridge with skiing spilling off of both sides. However, the drainages for the east and west facing skiing end up no where near the lift. You need a bus to get back to it. And that bus does not run frequently - even for guided groups. It is unclear to me if they can cut traverses back to lift.

2. Terrain. The terrain is gnarly. However a typical run consists up a mini-bowl for 500-800 vert ft. Than a narrow choke. Sometimes it will open up again, generally not. This type of terrain can get bumped with minimum traffic. Now, most of it is powder. After guiding, I think it will be technical moguls.

3. Cliffs. There are quite a few, quite well hidden. A lot of marking will be required.

4. Silverton's operations/marketing. Right now, they control a lot of the experience. However, a really precise, almost pictoral map is needed. A real strict policy on who should be allowed even on the lift. A real strict policy on what is open/closed. Frankly, I do not think they will do a great job with this -- just my experience with the owners.


Overall, I think Silverton will ski exactly like Telluride's Gold Hill if opened to the public. Some of the lines that require more hiking will probably not bump up. But most will. And it will not be all that fun.
 
Well, I made my first reservation for silverton this December. I hope the snow cooperates!

As far as unguided skiing goes, you do have to wonder what the snow conditions will be like if they can't "farm" the snow the way it seems they do now. I wouldn't be suprised if the unguided options will only be available in the late spring. It also seems like avy danger and the possibility of people getting into "tight spots" are going to be a problem when they open it up to unguided skiing. I wonder if you are going to need X number of guided days before you can go it alone? Sounds like they have a lot to think about and plan before April. I will definitly be there for April though! :D
 
I agree with Chris. I've always said Silverton is like snowcat skiing. And in that context it is very reasonably priced, especially if you have your own avy gear.

I wonder about those bus pickups too. Our group was light on the hiking and didn't get that far afield yet we still needed pickups after 3 of our 4 runs. With 475 people per day max plus the logistics of getting around I'm not sure moguls will be that big a problem.

The real problem is that someone will be irresponsible, go into an uncontrolled area and get hurt. Then Aaron and Jen will have to fend off another round of opposition to their whole concept.

I am in favor of restricting unguided skiing to spring conditions with a stable surrounding snowpack.
 
option_ride":2skl8ghe said:
Well, I made my first reservation for silverton this December. I hope the snow cooperates!
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December is a little risky. My experience is you do not need reservations until Feb 1 (this includes Xmas). Late Feb thru March is very booked.

Visiting my brother in Telluride over Xmas, I have the luxury of calling just a few days ahead. (Not exactly fair). I generally try for Thursday -- with all the snow waiting for you from last Sunday.

But if you are coming from New Mexico, I would wait until a week or two before commiting. Until Silverton is reporting a 50-60" base, I would avoid the place.

Also, you should ask for a 'local's discount' -- I tell them I am coming over from Telluride and generally they give me a $89 rate for early season. It's fair since March offers a lot more terrain options.
 
December is a little risky. My experience is you do not need reservations until Feb 1 (this includes Xmas). Late Feb thru March is very booked.
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Too late now! :shock: There website made it seem like reservations were mandatory, oh well. Hopefully their cool if early season is a complete bust... on the otherhand I've had some great powder turns at purg many times before christmas.

I've got money on an early snowfall... literally! :D
 
The real problem is that someone will be irresponsible, go into an uncontrolled area and get hurt. Then Aaron and Jen will have to fend off another round of opposition to their whole concept.
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Bill? Bill who...there was no Bill skiing here today. :D
 
sounds like they heard a lot of the complaints expressed in the other thread...

Customer Input Driven Changes for 2004/2005- After receiving input from our valued skiers and boarders we have made some changes for the 2004/2005 season.

Better Group Ability Separation- We have added signs to the base area so skiers can self designate their own skier ability levels. We now have 'Very Fast', 'Medium', and 'Slower Hikers' to choose from. This will allow skiers to better rate thier own abilities providing better grouping and more fun skiing. Additonal guides have also been hired to allow for extra wiggle room so we can now shuffle skiers that have mis judged their own ability level as needed.

More Vertical- Most people are fully whipped by the end of a Silverton Day. Due to the lenghty process of extricating injured skiers we have to stop loading the lift by 3:15- 3:30 (depending on time of year). However with the earlier starting time, faster morning process, and better grouping, many skiers will be able to attain more vertical.

Faster Service- We have changed the morning process to make it more efficient. Earlier starts combined with additional staff makes for faster service. We are also trying to better accomodate true expert hucksters as best as possible. (see general info for more)
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pow poW POW POw pow 8)
 
Trees

I think the trees in SW Colorado are a little tight in their natural state. However, fresh snow makes them ski quite nice.
 
Yes, they are a little tight, and tend to close out at low elevation. Perfect example of the comments I made about western tree skiing in general on the other thread. It helps that Silverton's base is 10,400. But there are more than enough alpine bowls and chutes to keep you busy in a typical 4-6 run day.

Glad to see the comments about 2004-05 improvements. With 8 guides and 4-5 skiers per group, ability matching should be a strength of this operation if they pay adequate attention to it.

A cautionary note on weather. You people seem to have very short memories after the past 2 strong seasons at Silverton. It was not in operation in 1999, 2000 or 2002, but it would not have been a pretty picture in those years, particularly early season. The locals who have booked mid-February through late March aren't dummies. They've got it exactly right.
 
Yes, they are a little tight, and tend to close out at low elevation.
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Yup very typical of SOCO. I figured as much but wasn't sure if they had thinned areas.

You people seem to have very short memories after the past 2 strong seasons at Silverton. It was not in operation in 1999, 2000 or 2002, but it would not have been a pretty picture in those years, particularly early season. The locals who have booked mid-February through late March aren't dummies. They've got it exactly right.
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While I am not contending December to be the best month, the years you point out are far from the norm as that was the height of the drought. I can only remember a hand full of times that purg did not have at least adequate cover by mid december. Many years some of the best months have been early. SOCO snow can be just as variable and unpredictable in late march. This year of skiing into may at even the lowest elevations was far from ordinary.
 
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