Nestled at 9,318 feet above sea level in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, Silverton is an ideal basecamp for mountain adventures in any season. Best known as a jumping off point for summer hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and four wheeling, this quaint former mining town is quickly becoming a mecca for winter adventure of all types.
Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy fat biking, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling on an extensive network of groomed trails at Molas Pass and on the valley floor. Entire families can ski at beginner friendly Kendall Mountain for the price of a single lift ticket at larger resorts, while extreme skiers fuel their stoke with the advanced terrain and heli skiing at Silverton Mountain. The area boasts extensive options for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, is a hot spot for ice climbing, and hosts a growing number of winter events that make for an unforgettable weekend getaway.
Here’s your guide to winter fun in Silverton, where things heat up as the temperature drops!
Flying Dogs Sled Race – January 12th – 13th
This thrilling weekend features sled dog races as well as skijoring, bike joring, a musher’s banquet and dog truck parade. Think your dog has what it takes to mush? Check out one of the free clinics available to the public!
Silverton Whiteout & Snowscape Winter Carnival – February 8th – 10th
The Silverton Whiteout is a 10-hour fat bike relay that brings hundreds of bike enthusiasts to town for an event that’s as much a party as it is a race! Whiteout coincides with the town’s annual Snowscape Winter Carnival which features fun events like a Cardboard Box Sled Derby, Shovel Races, Kicksled Rodeo, and Snow Golf. The excitement peaks Saturday night with a snowmobile parade, bonfire, fireworks and night skiing at Kendall Mountain.
Silverton Skijoring & Flurries and Flames – February 16th – 17th
Dust off your cowboy hat and get a taste of the wild West with Silverton Skijoring, held on Notorious Blair Street each Presidents Weekend. The event features thrilling pro and amateur contests where a horse and rider team pulls a skier at breakneck speed through a course of gates, jumps and rings. The weekend ends on a romantic note with a Curry Cookoff and Flurries and Flames Lantern Festival, where participants release delicate paper lanterns into the night sky.
Silverton Splitfest – April 18th – 21st
Ride new lines, make new friends, learn new backcountry skills, and demo the latest splitboard gear at this annual gathering of splitboarding enthusiasts, presented by Silverton-based manufacturer Venture Snowboards. The event features educational seminars by snow science pros, and all proceeds benefit avalanche education.
Sisters Meeting in the Mountains – March 29th – 31st
Silverton Mountain’s Sisters Meeting in the Mountain is a weekend of phenomenal expert-only skiing, networking, inspiration and education, featuring inspirational presentations from some of the most well respected women in the industry.
Women’s Intro to Backcountry Skiing Hut Based Clinic – March 1st – 3rd
For ladies wanting to learn backcountry basics in a fun and supportive environment, Silverton Avalanche School teams ups with Chicks Climbing & Skiing to offer 3 days of guided instruction at the cozy St. Paul Lodge on Red Mountain Pass. The oldest operating avalanche school in the nation, Silverton Avalanche School offers a full menu of educational courses for recreationists and pros alike.
