Welcome to your guide to adventure in Southwest Colorado. The San Juan Mountains are home to some of the most amazing adventure opportunities in the world. This is truly an inspiring area of the country to visit and explore. Summer is our most popular season, but winter offers deep snow and ideal conditions for backcountry pursuits.

If you like adventure a visit to Silverton, will not disappoint.

Winter

Featured

Silverton Splitfest

I have a confession to make; until this last spring I had zero backcountry skiing or snowboarding experience. Yes, I purchased a hotel in Silverton, CO without having ever been in the backcountry during winter.

Ice Climb at the Ouray Ice Park

Ouray Ice Park has over A mile of vertical terrain and more than 200 ice and mixed climbing routes. The park is free and open for public use to all residents and visitors to Ouray.

Snowmobiling in Silverton

The San Juan Mountains are known for abundant snowfall and this makes sled travel up along the mountain passes an incredible adventure.

Avalanche Safety in the Backcountry

Here in the San Juan mountains we are blessed with some of the deepest snow and steepest ski terrain in the Continental US. Before enjoying our wonderful terrain please make sure you have the proper safety equipment and training .

Ski/Ride Kendall Mountain

Kendall Mountain is our town’s back yard ski hill with 240 feet of vertical drop, 4 groomed trails, multiple tree runs, a small terrain park, and 1 double chair lift! Kendall is owned and operated by the town.

Ski/Ride Deep Powder at Silverton Mountain

The bus that picks you up at the bottom of the mountain for return to the base area reads “Silverton Mountain Correctional Facility.” Yeah, definitely not your typical resort.

Ski/Ride Purgatory Mountain

Despite its ominous name Purgatory is nice family resort with a variety of terrain to challenge every skill level. If Silverton Mountain is too extreme or you just need an on-piste day check out Purgatory for a traditional ski resort experience.

Summer

Featured

A Spectacular Reward for an Arduous Climb: Ice Lake Basin Trail

I am a huge hiking fanatic, so upon arriving at The Avon for a long holiday weekend, having never been to the San Juan Mountains before, I promptly scoured the internet for the “best hike near Silverton, Colorado.” And when I say that I scoured the internet, I mean I came across a description for Ice Lake Basin Trail and was immediately sold.

Rock Climbing Areas of the Million Dollar Highway

Ridgeway, Ophir, Silverton, and Ouray all include climbing areas. Ouray better known for ice climbing has plenty of summer options for climbing great rock. There are about 40 established routes right within the Silverton area between a handful of crags including Cunningham Gulch, Eureka area, The Stripe, and Trainrobber Wall, and Ice Lake

Driving Imogene Pass

Imogene Pass is a 17.1-mile trail connecting Telluride and Ouray. This trail is rated as moderate and is doable in any high clearance 4x4. The pass reaches a height of 13,114ft which is the second highest driveable pass in Colorado and the highest in the San Juan Mountain region. Along the way you will pass through the old mining town of Tomboy from the 1880s and pass by mining ruins and relics left over from the gold rush days.

Running the Hardrock 100

The Avon and the Hardrock 100 race have a storied past. It has been a gathering place for the Hardrock Tribe since before we ever came in to the picture and we are honored to be a part of the community moving forward.

Hiking Little Molas Lake near Silverton, CO

Little Molas Lake is a super easy hike or stroll around a gorgeous high mountain lake set at around 10,000’ of elevation on Molas Pass.

Things to Do

The Avon - Silverton / Colorado

Winter

Summer