Silverton Alternative Activities
Silverton is a beautiful part of the country and offers a wide variety of activities. Here are just a few suggestions. Snowshoeing, hiking, and nordic skiing are delightful winter activities, but safety should always be a priority. Before embarking on your adventure, ensure you’re well-prepared with appropriate gear, including snowshoes, poles, and layered clothing. Check weather conditions, be aware of avalanche terrain, and inform someone about your plans. Stay on marked trails, be cautious of changing weather, and carry essential items like a map, compass, and emergency supplies. Always be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy the beauty of winter while prioritizing your safety. Please do your own additional research. Drive times listed here are approximate, depending on road and weather conditions.
Beginner/Intermediate Skiing:
Kendall Mountain Ski Area is a small, family-friendly ski area right outside Silverton. Featuring one lift and seven trails, many of which are beginner-friendly, Kendall Mountain Recreation is perfect for beginner and seasoned skiers alike.
Purgatory Ski Resort is one of the 3 major resorts in Southern Colorado. Located near Durango, and having great views and ideal terrain for the average skier, it’s a popular option for skiers from New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. It is known for having decent snowfall for being in the Southwest, and lots of easy blue terrain. (35 minutes)
Snowshoeing:
Molas Pass (15 minutes)
An incredibly scenic route. This segment of the Colorado Trail is located off the summit of Molas Pass and passes by beautiful high alpine lakes like Little Molas Lake and meadows of snow in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Parking can be found at the scenic overlook at the summit, the trail starts just across the road.
Purgatory Nordic Center (35 minutes)
Located just across the road from Purgatory Resort and nestled at the base of Engineer Mountain and the Twilight Peaks, this Nordic Center boasts huge views of the San Juan Mountains along with 6 kilometers of groomed snowshoe trails.
Andrews Lake (20 minutes)
Just south of Molas Pass, lies a beautiful lake surrounded on all sides by mountains. Andrews Lake usually has cut trails by both snowshoers and cross country skiers during the Winter. We recommend a giant loop around the lake to take in the 360-degree views of the peaks.
Old Lime Creek Road (20 minutes)
This road is perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Located above Cascade Canyon, just after Purgatory Resort, this mellow out-and-back road offers views of the San Juans and the canyon below.
Ironton Park (30 minutes)
Ironton Park is located about nine miles north of Ouray off of Highway 550 or the Million Dollar Highway. Known more for its beautifully groomed cross country ski trails, this is also an amazing spot for snowshoeing. Offering a variety of trail options, the easiest being the Townsite Loop. About 2 miles long, this trail takes you to some of the old buildings of the town of Ironton, where you can explore this old ghost town and imagine the lives of those who once called this area home.
Accessed off of the Townsite Loop are the Saratoga and Brooklyn Bash trail heads.
A short ways on the main loop will bring you to the trailhead for Saratoga and Iron Fen. Although the mine is no longer visible, this trail takes you through a flat valley with views of the surrounding forest before taking you into the woods in a path leading back to the beginning junction. Along the way, the trailhead to the Brooklyn Bash takes adventurers through a grove of aspens as you climb to the mine through thick bushes and a small creek, which may vary in difficulty depending on snow depth. Once past the mine and creek, the trail takes you back down to the Saratoga intersection.
Ice Park Trail (35 minutes)
The Ice Park Trail is near the town of Puray and is accessed off of Campbird Mine Road. The trail offers breathtaking views of the Uncompahgre Gorge. You may be able to get a true bird’s eye view of ice climbers below as you traverse the canyon above. The climb is not too extreme, but steep enough in spots to take your breath away. Offering a little of everything, the Ice Park Trail is a great adventure right out of town
The North Corridor Trail (45 minutes)
The North Corridor is a scenic two mile loop along the Uncompahgre River north of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. The path is mostly level following both sides of the river with foot bridges at either end. The east side of the valley is called Gold Hill with many historic mine buildings visible high above the trail. The trail can be accessed from the Hot Springs Pool parking lot, Chautauqua Lane (across from Rotary Park), or Uncompahgre Street. Dogs are allowed on leash.
The Ouray County Nordic Council grooms this trail when conditions permit.
Nordic Skiing
Ouray County Nordic Council is made up of a group of volunteers who share a great appreciation for the natural amenities in their backyard. In the winter that means Nordic skiing, sharing a great day with family, friends, and pets. However you like to get out in the snow, Ironton and the North Corridor trail are a great way to get outside. Please checkout our website, and then get out and enjoy the trails!
Purgatory Nordic Center (35 minutes)
Durango Nordic Center is located just across the road from Purgatory Resort and nestled at the base of Engineer Mountain and the Twilight Peaks, this Nordic Center boasts huge views of the San Juan Mountains along with 6 kilometers of groomed snowshoe trails. Enjoy a picnic along the trails, or on the deck of our beautiful new Community Center building.
Ouray (40 minutes)
Hot Springs: Ouray offers three different hot springs options: Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs Pool, and Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs
Spa Options: The town of Ouray has several spa, massage, and pampering opportunities.
Ice Climbing: Since 1994, the Ouray Ice Park has been the largest man-made public ice climbing park in the world, right next to the small town of Ouray, Colorado. Each winter, we open our gates for three months to thousands of ice climbers from around the globe, and with over 200 ice and mixed routes spanning almost two miles of the Uncompahgre Gorge, we are the ice climbing capital of the world.