Silverton Heli Skiing
Silverton Heli Skiing Colorado Review
Silverton Heli Skiing is a new no-frills heli skiing operation at
Silverton Mountain in Colorado. The heli skiing makes a perfect adjunct to the Silverton Mountain lift accessed skiing, and with some of the highest accessible terrain in Colorado, the area is nothing short of spectacular.
There has been an avalanche of media hype about
Silverton Mountain, and many powderhounds are making the pilgrimage to ski the steep challenging terrain and dry Rockies powder. However with the lift accessed skiing virgin powder is not guaranteed, and sometimes all that’s left is chowder. Depending upon your perspective, another downside is that more time and energy is spent going up the mountain instead of down.
Then along came a helicopter and Silverton Mountain had the perfect solution for discerning powderhounds. Whether you choose to do a single heli lift or splash out on a full day with Silverton Heli Skiing, the memory of the experience will stay with you for a lifetime.
Where is Silverton Heli Skiing Located?
Silverton Heli Skiing is based at
Silverton Mountain in the San Juan Mountains, about 6 miles from the town of Silverton. The heli ski operation is located in what we like to call the “powderhounds corner of Colorado”, a skiing mecca in southwest Colorado.
Silverton is about 50 miles north of Durango and 30 minutes from
Durango Mountain Resort (formerly known as Purgatory). For travel information, see the
travel to Silverton page.
Heli Skiing Packages
Silverton is one of only two heli ski operations in North America that offer single runs. This package is perfect for ski bums on a budget who want to sample the joys of heli skiing. The only problem is that heli skiing is addictive, and you’ll want to go again and again. Thank goodness for plastic fantastic!
The single run option ($159 – 2010-11 rate) is intended to be combined with the lift accessed skiing at Silverton Mountain, so you have to also purchase a lift ticket ($49-$139 depending on the time of the season). This package is only operational Thursdays to Sunday from 11am throughout the winter season.
Silverton also offers a 6 run package for $999 as well as heli access ski touring and private charters.
Silverton Accommodation
There is no lodging at the Silverton Mountain ski area, but there is inexpensive
Silverton hotel and motel accommodation in the nearby historic town.
Heli Ski Terrain
This is big mountain skiing within thousands of acres of pristine snow, with runs up to 1,000 metres (3,000 feet) of thigh pleasuring vertical. Terrain includes wicked chutes, open bowls and some tree skiing. Everything is reasonably steep and with a degree of avalanche control work undertaken, the likelihood of being able to access the high angle slopes is heightened.
Silverton is renowned for its quality and quantity of snow, and it stays in great condition in part thanks to the soaring elevations. At these giddy heights you might need to take Diamox (or Viagra as suggested by Silverton Mountain!) or other preventative measure to combat any
altitude sickness.
More Reasons to Heli Ski at Silverton Mountain
Heli skiing in Colorado (or in any of the lower 48 states) is somewhat unique. So if you’re at Silverton it’s seems fitting to make the most of this exceptional experience. And with the flexibility to do just one run, heli skiing is not just exclusively for those with a big bank roll.
It’s worth going
heli skiing just for the helicopter ride to absorb the magnificent views and get snap happy, but then you also get to descend and ride the untracked powder. Sweet!
Further Information & BookingsFor more information see our
Silverton Heli Skiing review or if you would like to enquire about a specific date or ask any additional questions directly
click here.