Silverton
Beacon Guidebooks has partnered with onX Backcountry. Find guidebook quality content for backcountry adventures in Silverton. Silverton has 24 zones to explore and 108 routes.
Total Zones
24
Publisher
Beacon Guidebooks
Silverton Overview
It speaks for itself when it comes to remote and rugged mountain towns of the west. Many mountain ranges do not have a year round maintained road passing through them. The San Juan Mountain Range, from Durango through Silverton and on to Ouray has three; Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Passes. Highway 550 brings powder-hounds through some of Colorado's most remote and diverse ski terrain. Basins adjacent to Highway 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway, boast an annual snowfall of 400". The mountains, accessed from Silverton possess some of the largest ski descents in the lower 48, and some of the deepest snow in all of Colorado. The locations showcased in this atlas offer the entire spectrum of terrain and difficulty, from novice to extreme and everything in between. Provided you already have a small amount of experience as a backcountry skier and have completed a Level 1 avalanche course, there is something in this atlas for everyone.
Zones Covered
Anvil
Routes
7
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW,N
From tight, northern trees to big descents on all aspects, Anvil has something fun to ski all season long. This sector showcases the mid-winter descents along the north face and west face.
Routes
- Cement Fill
- Ophir Bowl
- Money Shot
- The X
- Shoe String
- Anvil Approach
- Anvil Exit
Battleship East
Routes
6
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE
The peak is unnamed but the obvious major slide path is named Battleship and thus, the entire mountain is commonly referred to this way. The east and north faces offers up a lot of perfect and very aesthetic ski descents. It is also an infamous avalanche producer. Wise timing, route finding, and decision making are imperative.
Routes
- Battleship
- South America
- Picklebarrel
- Destroyer
- Africa
- Battleship Approach
Battleship North
Routes
6
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NW,N,NE
The Battleship North zone is terrain on or adjacent to the Battleship Mountain. This terrain includes steep trees, open chutes, and massive bowls.
Routes
- NF of Battleship
- V5
- Battle Scar
- Battle Chutes
- North Face 2.0
- Battleship Approach
Cemetery
Routes
2
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NW
This run is best approached one-way from the top of Red Mountain Pass and finishing at the parking area below Sam's. The climb is mellow and relatively safe, the descent is not. Careful route finding is imperative. If you find yourself unsure and timid of the conditions below you, consider the playful, mellow turns by skiing back the way you came or slightly to skiers left of your climb.
Routes
- US Basin/Cemetery Approach
- Cemetery Descent
Chattanooga East
Routes
6
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
E
Chattanooga East encompasses a wide variety of east facing terrain from well below treeline, all the way up to 13,000'. Sam's Run is an easy-access, popular glades lap. It offers introductory terrain with lots of acres and features to explore. If you have the time, consider touring further up the ridge and linking runs like Telluride Face and White Whale with Imogene or Coin Slot to build 3,000' descents. A word of caution about the false sense of safety the spaced trees give you, most of Sam's Run is over 30º. There was an avalanche fatality on Sam's in 2018. For more adventure, consider traversing south along the face of these slopes to similar east facing terrain. For more challenging terrain, check out the north side of the Chattanooga Curve for lines like Sky Chute, Coin Slot, and Corner Pocket.
Routes
- Imogene
- Sam's Glades
- White Whale Skin Track
- White Whale
- Chattanooga Approach
- Telluride Face
Chattanooga North
Routes
7
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N
Chattanooga North encompasses a wide variety of north facing terrain from well below tree-line, all the way up to 13,000'. The majority of these runs are more committing and exposed than Chattanooga East. If you have the time, consider touring further up the ridge and linking runs like Telluride Face and White Whale with Imogene or Coin Slot to build 3,000' descents. For more adventure, consider traversing south along the face of these slopes to similar east facing terrain. For more challenging terrain, check out the north side of the Chattanooga Curve for lines like Sky Chute, Coin Slot, and Corner Pocket. Want even more? Park one vehicle on top of Red and an other at the base of the Sam's. Then start your tour on top of Red Mountain Pass with a run down the Cemetery. Walk across 550 to link that with Chattanooga North for a 5,500 ft day!
Routes
- Chattanooga Beluga
- Glades
- White Whale Skin Track
- Corner Pocket
- Sky Chute 4
- Coin Slot
- Chattanooga North Exit
Clear Lake
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
ALL
This terrain is most commonly accessed from guests at the OPUS Hut. There are two main options for accessing Paradise Basin. The more fun option is to approach the Nose or some variation there of, ski a line down to the gulch and then tour up into the Basin. The other option would be to drop directly down into the gulch from CR 8 (the approach road) and then tour up the gulch from there. Be very mindful, this option puts you in a massive terrain trap and is not the recommended option.
Routes
- Sven's Run
- Clear Lake Couloirs
- South Face Lookout Peak
- Clear Lake Approach
Coal Creek/Deer Creek
Routes
5
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
N,NE,E
A nice, entry-level tour, but still full of backcountry travel hazards. If you avoid the treeless area at the skin start, this tour can be done in mostly dense trees. Descents end in Coal Creek which can be a nasty terrain trap, or the highway, which gets steep and hazardous. Aim for the intersection of the creek and the highway. In addition to this run, many other touring adventures can be started from this trailhead.
Routes
- Coal Creek Approach
- Deer Creek Approach
- Coal Creek
- Deer Creek East Face
- Deer Creek Gully
Commodore
Routes
5
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NE,E
These are relatively short runs for the San Juans, but with less than 1,000 vertical feet of climbing, these have great bang for your buck. This spot is as packed with hazards as it is with playful features. Climbing beyond the skin track end into the alpine zone can lead you to a wealth of great ski terrain.
Routes
- Grandparents Approach
- Commodore Exit
- Commodore Approach
- Commodore Descent
- Grandma and Grandpa
Deadwood Basin
Routes
1
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N
Deadwood Basin is a large alpine zone that hosts traverses and proud descents. It is best to exit south to Sultan Creek, or north to Northstar Basin.
Routes
- Deadwood Basin Traverse
Hazelton Mountain
Routes
3
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW
There are many fun day tour options all over Hazelton, Arrastra Gulch, and Blair Basin. This sector highlights the extreme objective known as Turkey Chute. As with many runs in this book, two way radios can be very helpful here. The first safety zone in the descent is out of your partner's sight, and often out of hearing range.
Routes
- Turkey Chute Exit
- Hazelton Approach
- Turkey Chute
Hut Zone
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E,SE,S
The Ophir Pass zone is packed with mega runs as well as the OPUS Hut. There is no simple tour into the Ophir Pass zone or simple runs once there. The most straightforward tour still has you sitting at the base of some of the larger slide paths on Red Mountain Pass.
Routes
- The Nose Approach
- The Nose
- Piper Charlie's
- Hut Approach
Kendall Mountain
Routes
5
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
W,NW,N
Littered with infamous avalanche paths, this mountain is the guardian of Silverton. From the lower flanks to the upper chutes, Kendall provides 3,700' of impeccable skiing.
Routes
- Coyote's Tooth
- Rabbit Ears Approach
- Idaho Gulch
- Kendall Summit Approach
- Rabbit Ears
King Solomon
Routes
3
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E
A big run in big terrain. This summit and slope angle refer to the actual summit and north face of King Solomon Mountain. The King Solomon ski run however, is most commonly skied from at or below timberline on the northwest face of the mountain down towards CR 2. Based on your judgement and observations, make a conscientious decision about where and when you want to enter the main path.
Routes
- King Solomon Exit
- King Solomon Approach
- King Solomon
McMillan/US Basin
Routes
9
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
W,NW,N
Nearly every wind event in the San Juans loads the different faces of the Battleship. Generally, wind slab hazards on top give way to surface hoar problems near the valley bottom. Be mindful of large cornices along the skin track on the ridge and on top of the bowls. On all slopes, even in the safer glade runs, be aware of 45º rollovers. Plan B: There are numerous descent options off both sides of this ridge as well as through the trees. The only low angle retreat option is your ski track.
Routes
- US Basin
- McMillan West Ridge
- Putney Approach
- US Basin/Cemetery Approach
- Spring Gulch, AKA Putney
- Oh Boy
- McMillan Approach
- The Office
- Power Line
North Twilight
Routes
5
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW,W
This peak holds some proud lines. The most obvious and aesthetic line is the 4th of July Couloir. From the summit to Lime Creek is a 3,987' single shot down.
Routes
- Exit to Approach Track
- Exit out Lime Creek
- Lime Creek Descent
- 4th of July Couloir
- Twilight Approach
Paradise
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E
From north trees to technical alpine descents, Paradise calls your name from across the valley.
Routes
- Paradise Trees
- Paradise Chutes
- Paradise Approach from Triangle
- Paradise Approach from Trailhead
Pass West Side
Routes
2
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
N,NE,E
The west side of Red Mountain Pass has numerous mini-golf tours suitable for either the novice backcountry skier that just completed their first Rec Level 1 avalanche course or somebody looking to get a dawn patrol in before work. There is lots of room for creativity on the west side with no single up or down.
Routes
- Pass West Approach
- Pass West Side
Prospect
Routes
7
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,E,SE
This area hits the sweet spot of northeast terrain and offers low angle alpine, steep glades and chutes. Unfortunately, the Prospect drainage is a wicked terrain trap that ought to be considered in your decision conversations. Note that the Upper Prospect zone and Lark Mine zone can also be accessed from the McMillan trailhead on Red Mountain Pass.
Routes
- Prospect Trees
- Prospect Approach From Pass
- Black Jack
- Prospect Gulch
- Upper Prospect
- Lark Mine
- Prospect Approach From Cement
Red 3
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
W,NW,N
If you want to get the lay of the land and survey all of the backcountry potential in the area, get on top of Red Mountain 3. This is another one-way run that gives you more ski for your skin. High exposure in a big avalanche path makes this one for the wary, and worth waiting for more consistent spring conditions.
Routes
- Red 3 Approach
- West Face
- North Face
- Red 3 Exit
Snowdon Peak
Routes
3
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NE
Snowdon is the awesome rocky peak sticking up just east of Molas Pass. It has multiple lines of ascent, but only one popular ski line - the Naked Lady Couloir. This couloir is named as such due to the appearance it can have if filled with snow. While the ski descent is only around 800', it is well worth it when conditions are prime.
Routes
- Naked Lady Couloir
- Snowdon Approach
- Naked Lady Exit
Sultan Creek
Routes
3
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW,N,NE,E,SE,S
Sultan Creek Accesses some unique and stellar alpine bowls. This is also the starting point for the Turk-Sultan Traverse.
Routes
- Wishbone Approach
- Wishbone
- Sultan Creek Exit
Sultan North
Routes
5
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N
A highly exposed series of avalanche paths line Sultan’s north flanks. The Sultan is a very large mountain with multiple false summits. There is a huge variety of ski adventure on this mountain. The north side below the 12,220' summit serves just a taste of that variety. The large, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones are as dangerous as they look. If you ski from the summit to 550 north of Silverton you'll be making a 4,000' single shot run.
Routes
- Sultan North Approach
- Pumphouse
- Pencil
- Python
- Sultan North Exit
Upper Paradise
Routes
7
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
N,NE,E,SE
This is part of Paradise Basin which is the large basin south of the OPUS Hut. It contains a large variety of terrain from melow, low angle runs to steep couloirs and everything in between. While it does contain a variety of terrain suitable for all abilities, it is NOT beginner terrain. Avalanche assessment skills are required. This terrain demands respect.
Routes
- The Nose Approach
- The Nose
- Knox's Run
- Paradise Basin
- Triangle Face Approach
- C2 Ridge
- Triangle Face
