Best guess as to number of unguided skiers and heli drops?
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Best guess as to number of unguided skiers and heli drops?
Coming in 2 weekends with phall and 5 other friends for phall's bachelor party. Skiing the 29th and 30th, already booked our tickets.
I know there is a "trail map" but any other resources we should familiarize ourselves with prior to arrival to maximize our days? I'd imagine that asking staff each morning what zones they recommend would be helpful. Feel free to DM if that's best. Thanks!
Ski the backside early usually. It closes at 1:30. Hikes arent always worth it. Sometimes there is great stuff down low with less work. Sometimes the N side busses suck too so skiing back to the base or Tiger can be more efficient. Aspect plays a big part in snow quality down there. Left side of chute might be crap, and right side pow. Theres a lot of nuances to their system down there. Stay patient, be nice to employees and guide and bus drivers, and good things will come your way.
There is always guides at the top to give advice on where to go.
Im trying to head back for the beer fest and skiing the first week of April.
The Silverton Mountain Shitshow is nothing new. In fact, it has been a feature pretty much since inception.
That said, I went with my eldest kid at the end of March last year and had a good day, 'cause the ski terrain there is really good.
They still talking about putting a lift up the other side of the valley?
Since I worked all weekend I didn't make it up to the mountain so I won't venture to guess total numbers ... but I know there were 200+ single drops scheduled each day on Thurs/Fri/Sat, with no ability to push it to the next day if you didn't fly due to weather. Hopefully people were understanding when they got bumped and other flew the next day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles
Hell yea! The trail map ain't that great, but talking to the guides in the morning to get a sense of what is skiing well is the best way to get info usually. Being patient and understanding of the morning base area shitshow is a good idea too. Bring a thermos fill it with your hot beverage of choice, a big puffy and get ready to wait around a bit. Depending on snowfall and recent conditions, understanding how the aspects and sun play in can lead to a much better experience too. Feel free to DM me with specific questions or swing by my shop when you get in to town.Quote:
Originally Posted by jtran10
Solid advice all around. Busy weekend, but the snow was good. Definitely had to play the aspect game there.Quote:
Originally Posted by ASmileyFace
Looks like my van's transmission will be repaired just in time for me to get up to Silverton. I've been booked for the March 28-30 for months and thought I might not make it; looks like I'll be there!
Any recent reports?
Insta shots from today looked excellent and more snow for the weekend make me think it will be damn good. Reports are hit or miss from up there, but I've heard the alpine in the same zone has gotten 12-18" in the last 48 hours or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by pfluffenmeister
ISFA Challenger comp happening tomorrow from the Billboard down to Dope Face zone so the upper mountain will stay closed till Thursday at least too.
Pluff was that you on the bro’s with pink/purp pivots? Didn’t catch you to ask for change if so. Fun weekend up there. Snow was variable but tiger claw chalk fest to corn down low Saturday was sick.
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Hell of a place for a bachelor party.
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Yo!Quote:
Originally Posted by Phall
That was me!
They served me well.
Super sick up there.
Best conditions I've skied there.
I booked a 3 day guided plus a single heli drop back in November.
Showed up late for my first day of guided got bumped out of two big heli groups and lucked into a small group of 4 + guide and off we went to drop first into Meatball!
(Did I mention that I was a heli virgin and this was the first run of the day?)
Velocity basin is truly impressive and landing at the top was like standing next to The Void.
I like blind rollovers, but it was like there was nothing there.
Watching our guide Jamie do a kick turn right at the edge of the void like it was nothing was something.
Opted for another single drop and up we went for for first tracks down Hot Carl!
I was granted brief entrance to the white room a few turns down from the cornice at the knuckle at the top of the entrance to the tight chute proper.
Showing up late was serendipitous as that (as I understand it) is not single drop territory.
I mentioned to a guide on the following day how the two skiers (one man, one woman) were both ripping skiers; turns out they were organizers and judges for the FWT event that had been held in Silverton a few days prior.
It also explains why the male skier said he couldn't even count how many times he'd been in a bird.
Then had a private lap with Wade in some steep tight ass forests which were a hoot.
Especially after I said it's easier with a blank canvas and he said: You go first!
And then Tiger 4.
Second day Kyle hiked me near to death: First down Ropedy 4, Cabin, Concussion, Mando.
Last day with Rob (who guided me on my very first day at Silverton like 12 years ago).
He got us into Pope to Dope, Colorado, another run I can't recall the name of, but most notably first down Vodka Shot to Apron Shot. Pretty spicy just to get there. He said that in 17 years of guiding he couldn't recall taking a guided group there; even heard another guide grumbling about seeing us come out of there: "If I had known Vodka Shot was open ! ... "
I mentioned that to Rob and he laughed: "He wouldn't have even have known how to in there."
All in all, very satisfied.
Anyway, I'm sorry I missed you too but it loo,s like you had fun!
Awesome! We did ok figuring it out unguided and the heli is such a rad experience. Need to get back.
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Headed down this weekend again. Hope this warm weather midweek doesn't jack the snow up too much.
Glad you guys had a good time!Quote:
Originally Posted by Phall
Vodka shots! That's a rare one for sure. Also I can hear Rob laughing about getting there. He's one of the best in the business.Quote:
Originally Posted by pfluffenmeister
Glad to hear it was a good weekend for folks around here. I am pretty sure I met some of mags this weekend. Couple folks came into the shop and then at the Wyman Bar.
Crazy that there are only two weeks left. Gotta get up there soon for some turns now that I am skiing somewhat hard again
Looks like $249 unguided pass next year, season through 4.13.24.
Was selfishly hoping for one more week, as I work in the tax world and am swamped this time of year...
Bought mine already. As much BS as there is, it is still one of the best deals in skiing. The mountain is pretty amazing year after year.Quote:
Originally Posted by miserywhip
Unguided base goes up $50 and premium goes up $100.
Last years deal was one heli for $39 and a second free one. Now it's $99 for heli lap.
Overall a crushing deal still.
Inflation. It's a science.
I'm all for it. $39 is dumb for a Heli lap, especially when they have such high demand. Cut the demand down a bit, make a little more money maybe. I didn't even do the Heli lap this year because it was such a waste of time last year. I am better off lapping the chair honestly. Unless you get three or more drops (and luck out like Pluffenmeister) you are just meadow skipping with the plebs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Djongo Unchained
Don't mind $250 either, but yeah, at some point it'll hit a price point where I bow out I'm sure. Hopefully the timing coincides with me retiring from steep skiing.
New owners gonna raise prices, I get it. For now... I just like skiing steep stuff and hiking/skinning as little as possible. Is that too much to ask?
^^^^^
Non, au contraire mon frere.
Easy steeps are my jam, as the kids say/said.
I'm frankly impressed that the first price steps weren't a bit more. That's still chump change.
New ownership implies greater costs all around.
Locally we were expecting a higher price increase. Glad the heli drop is a bit more but still no reason to do your drop in April vs the first weekend of unguided.
Still one of the best deals in skiing as long as you hit more than one weekend and a partner day or two.
That was a me and a buddy. Good meeting and chatting w ya. Glad to hear you’re pretty much back at it. Hopefully you get some good days in before it wraps for the year.Quote:
Originally Posted by ASmileyFace
FYI, offer ends May 1.
$89 standby is a killer deal.
25 days of skiing in March/April to boot.
$399 Silverton Premium Season Pass with $99 Heli Skiing!
Help support independent ski areas while getting an amazing limited time deal!
Premium Pass Deal includes: Access to the mountain for the following projected 2025 Unguided dates Wednesday - Sunday 5 days a week for the March unguided season and Thursday - Sunday through April 13.
Weds, March 12 (Passholder - Only Private Mountain Day)
March 13-16
March 19-23
March 26-30
April 3-6
April 10-13
AND Option to purchase TWO $99 heli run for 2025 season. Spring Heli season running Thurs-Sun through April 6th. Purchase your season pass through the button below. You will receive instructions on booking your discounted heli run within two weeks of your pass purchase or after April 13, 2024, discounted heli runs must be pre-booked online. Discounted season pass holder heli runs can only be redeemed in the 24.25 season, are non transferable, and hold no credit or cash value after purchase.
Premium Pass also includes Partner Days in addition to The Base Pass Perks:
2 Days as Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
2 Days at Monarch Mountain, Colorado - 12/26/2024-1/5/2025, 1/18-19/2025, 2/15-16/2025
2 Days at Loveland Ski Area
More partner mountains coming soon!
*see blackout dates (coming soon)
Premium Pass includes additional pass benefits!
$89 Standby Guided Skiing/Snowboarding during Guided Season.
5% discount on heli experiences
Add Season Pass Injury Insurance for $39 (available for purchase with Base Pass or Premium Pass)
$8.95 shipping fee is automatically added to all pass purchases in addition to $1 Road Fee, $12 Avalanche Fee, $12 inflation and fuel.
Unguided Season Pass Cancellation Policy
All season pass products are non-refundable and non-transferrable and only valid for the 2025 Spring Unguided Season. There is no guarantee of conditions allowing a 2025 Spring Unguided Season. If one highway is open to Silverton, you must ski on your reserved day. It is best to arrive the night before to avoid highway closures from keeping you from arriving on time. We do not have control over operations at our partner resorts and no refunds or credits will be issued for inability to use ski days at partner resorts under any reason, including pandemics or force majeures. No refunds will be given for any reason including from inability to use the pass due to a pandemic or other force majeure. Season Passes cannot be credited to any other product or season. Only in the event of a Colorado government pandemic mandated closing of Silverton Mountain, will any credits be issued for the following season at the sole discretion of Silverton Mountain.
https://go.theflybook.com/book/680/E...2536/1331/pass
cool... :cool:
Got my base unguided pass. Stoked for next spring.
Looks like new owners are responding to overcrowding of unguided season:
We are limiting the number of Base Passes sold and making improvements around the mountain. This is your mountain; we want you to get the most out of it.
https://silvertonmountain.com/shop/2...season-passes/
Welcome change. Keep it up fellas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster Highmen
Can't remember - is the additional lift still on the menu? Or did the sale delay/put the kibosh on that improvement?
I noticed it's only the base pass that is "limited". Seems possible total pass sales won't be less if people just shift to the premium pass.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster Highmen
I think/hope it is just delayed.Quote:
Originally Posted by skaredshtles
BTW emails went out for discounted heli bump scheduling today.
Interested to hear how this first weekend of unguided goes with new ownership and a decent storm.
Skied there thurs-sun. Didn’t notice any changes in ops with the new ownership but lines/crowds weren’t as bad as this weekend last year
As usual silverton delivered and the skiing was awesome every day. Proper pow day Friday and then refills from some new snow and wind loading to keep things excellent sat and sun. It’s such an awesome place. I’ve never had a bad day there
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Yesterday was great, crowds were lighter than I expected.
The lift didn't open until 10 due to mechanical issues but I forgot all about that by the second lap.
Shout out to Asmileyface for calling out my buddy for his pivot forward pressure being way off in the lift line and then playing mobile ski tech. Don't get your bindings mounted at REI.
I think the bump in heli prices helped too since there wasn’t a massive mob of people up top waiting for their drops. I also didn’t see the usual insane line down the stairs for day tickets/heli check in
Saturday was the busiest day but still chill compared to last year. Maybe management is on to something but hard to compare due to all the mechanical issues last year on the biggest day
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Bump for the two weeks of unguided, three more to go.
Unguided skiing has been excellent so far Wednesday was on the best days of the season followed by the refresh on Fri/Sat that kept things soft all week. Big warmup the next few days before another cycle of storms starting around the 30th? I am down for slushy tiger laps or pow either way. Silverton/RMP zone is the only area of the San Juans around or above average snowpack. It's rough down south, but our pack is holding strong up high.
The mountain is definitely less of a shitshow than the past few seasons. Helps when there are double the tent/base area staff and a plan in place to handle the crowds. The increase in price of the single drop product and general low snow in the southwest has meant less skiers than normal. I feel like skiing Silverton is less cool than it was during those post COVID crazy years. Why go to Silverton in a below average winter when you can go to Japan or Jackson? Been a tough winter in town for the businesses, but the skiing product and unguided vibes are better for it.
Next years passes are up on the website, but have not been officially announced yet. Biggest change is the single drop is now 99 on the cheap pass. Sounds like the advice of bumping the price of the single drop stuck, curious to see if we see a drop in passes purchased again next season or if Silverton cycles back to being cool again.
We took 29 athletes and 6 coaches from the Loveland Freeride Team to Silverton yesterday. Such an awesome day and an amazing experience for our athletes, many of whom are now hooked on the raw beauty and amazing skiing afforded by the San Juan.
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^^^ every good dealer knows how to gain clientele. nice work</p>
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wanted to get down there this year but not in cards since acl. maybe next year. </p>
I dont think Silverton has lost fans, this year is just a tough one to justify The trip when they have low tide and other places up north dont. Thats my reason for not making it down. Last year was packed and the snow was great. I will try to make it down i. The next few weeks. Might work the beer fest for my buddy’s brewery.
The funny thing is I’d say we had better skiing overall this year than last. All the same stuff was open and had plenty of coverage and it stayed good for longer due to little refreshes and wind. But on paper yeah it was a tougher sell. We’re lucky to be a relatively easy drive away so it was less of a commitment to roll the dice