On September 27th, 2019 GOCO awarded a $37,500 grant to the Town of Silverton to further develop a Kendall Mountain Recreation Area Master Plan. The announcement was first reported yesterday by the Durango Telegraph.

Silverton will develop a master recreation plan for Kendall Mountain Recreation Area (KMRA), a town-owned park and ski hill. KMRA provides some of the most affordable skiing in Colorado, and all Silverton students receive free season passes. By expanding its ski terrain, Silverton could attract more ski tourism and offer new, year-round recreation opportunities, drawing in more summer visitors.  ~ Friday, September 27, 2019 -- GOCO

In September 2018 the Town commissioned SE Group to begin the viability study on Kendall Mountain to determine what if any opportunity there was for the expansion of the ski area operations. The group delivered their report back to the town. The report came back determining that there is a significant amount of available terrain that could be developed to cater to all levels of skiers and riders.

SE Group presented 300 and 800-acre four-season expansion options for the community ski area, which would put it in the same context as Monarch or Wolf Creek. The estimated investment costs for the operation are quoted at around $25M and how that would be raised and who will operate the expanded area are still under consideration according to town officials.

Last winter the Town of Silverton commissioned a KMRA Viability Assessment Survey to gather feedback from community members. Community members responded to the survey with overwhelming support to continue exploring the expansion. Just how big, how to fund it, and who will operate the larger ski areas are yet to be decided.

If completed the expanded Kendall Mountain Recreation Area would complement the expert level only operations and Silverton Mountain. Silverton Mountain features a single fixed-grip lift serving backcountry terrain that requires avalanche safety equipment and knowledge. The addition of beginner and moderate terrain at Kendall Mountain could help Silverton, CO become more of a winter ski destination.

The expanded area would compete with Purgatory Mountain in Durango, CO but it is believed that the higher elevation of Kendall Mountain could provide a longer season earning Silverton business after the other area operations close for the season in spring.