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Silverton Powder Challenge

January 13-16, 2024

We are stoked to join together in Silverton, CO for an unforgettable powder-filled weekend that bridges the opportunity gap for over 3,000 SOS Outreach youth.  Below please find some helpful info as you plan your trip. We will use this page to share updates along the way. Questions, please contact Laura at lvogel@sosoutreach.org. 

AGENDA 

Friday, January 12: Early Arrivals *optional*
  • Early arrivals (if arranged with Grand Imperial Hotel at +1-970-387-5527) 
  • 7pm: *Optional Dinner & Drinks with SOS Alumni and SOS Staff | The Eureka Station (1225 Blair St, Silverton, CO 81433) *All early arrivals are welcome to join us!*
Saturday, January 13: Welcome to Silverton!
  • Before 5pm: Arrival, Check-into Grand Imperial Hotel 
  • 3:00-6:00pm:  Collect Gear from Evo | Lobby, Grand Imperial Hotel
  • 6pm: Welcome Reception & Circle of Love Toast | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: Meet our incredible group for the weekend – you all make up an unbelievable crew including SOS alumni, staff, board members, corporate partners, and friends of SOS Outreach.
  • 6:30pm-7:30pm: Dinner | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: Half pound sirloin-chuck blend burgers cooked to order (veggie burgers available).  Served with side salad and choice of fries, mac and cheese, or roasted vegetables.  Fresh-baked cookie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Choice of beer, white wine, and red wine.  Cocktails and hard liquor available at the bar for purchase.
  • 7:30pm-8pm: San Juan Expeditions Safety Briefing | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel
  • 10pm: Bar closes
Sunday, January 14: Guided Backcountry Skiing/Riding & SOS Fundraising Dinner
  • 6:30am-7:30am: Breakfast | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: Breakfast Burritos (Vege or Sausage) from the Coffee Bear, Yogurt with Fresh Berries and Granola, Hard Boiled Eggs, Fresh Fruit, Granola Bars
  • 8:00am: Meet your San Juan Expeditions Guide & Group | Lobby, Grand Imperial Hotel
    • We will be traveling in small groups to various locations based on skier ability types and snow and avy conditions. 
    • Come dressed for the day and ready to leave with your guides. See San Juan Expeditions Gear List, and remember to bring layers! Weather can change very quickly.
    • Boxed Lunches from Tom’s Deli Durango will be provided. Please remember to grab your sandwich before leaving! We will be passing out lunches at 8am in the Lobby of the Grand Imperial.
  • 8:30am: Depart Hotel with Guide & Group
  • 9:00am-4:00pm: Guided Skiing/Riding in Red Mountain Pass, Coal Bank Pass, or Molas Pass with San Juan Expeditions
  • 4:00pm: Return to Grand Imperial Hotel with Guide & Group
  • 4:30pm: Apres | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel
  • 6:30pm: SOS Fundraising Dinner Feat. Alumni Speakers | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: Prime Rib slow-roasted to perfection or Grilled Tempeh served with side salad, and lemony pan-seared asparagus, choice of creamy mashed potatoes or mushroom risotto. Tiramisu for dessert. Choice of beer, white wine, and red wine.  Cocktails and hard liquor available at the bar for purchase.
  • 7:15pm:  SOS Outreach Alumni Panel 
    • Moderator: 
      • Travis Tafoya | SOS Alumni; Sr. Manager, Inclusive Access & Community Impact Vail Resort; Board of Directors, SOS Outreach
    • Panelists: 
  • 7:35pm:  Fundraising – Scholarship 25 Youth into SOS Outreach’s Career Development Program
  • 10pm: FYI – Bar closes
Monday, January 15: Silverton Mountain Takeover
  • 6:30am-7:30am: Breakfast | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: Breakfast Burritos from the Coffee Bear (Vegetarian and Sausage options available), Yogurt with Fresh Berries and Granola, Hard Boiled Eggs, Fresh Fruit, Granola Bars.
  • 7:30am: Depart in your personal vehicle to Silverton Mountain | Lobby, Grand Imperial Hotel: Come dressed to ski and put your boots on at the base
    • There is no running water at the ski area, but there is bottled water for sale.
    • There are a half-dozen porta-potties located at the base of Silverton. 
    • Bring layers! From warm and sunny to cold and snowy mountain weather.
    • Beacon, shovel, and probe are required to ski at Silverton Mountain! Have your pack ready. 
    • Powder skis are recommended.  K2 fat skis and Venture snowboards are available to rent at the base area of Silverton Mountain.  Boots and snowboard bindings are not available for rent.
  • 8am: Arrive at Silverton Mountain: Check-in, Briefing, Lunch Selection, Purchase Additional Heli drops (One heli-drop per person included in your ticket. Weather permitting.), Waiver Check, Gear Check, Organize Groups and Meet Guides. 
  • 9am: Depart with Silverton Mountain Guides
  • 9am-3pm: Skiing/Riding at Silverton Mountain *last chair at 3pm*
    • Boxed lunch to be provided by Silverton Mountain
    • Hot Chocolate, coffee, and snacks available in Grady’s Yurt at base of Silverton Mountain all day. 
    • Bottled water available for purchase.
  • 3pm-5pm: Après | Grady’s Bar Yurt, Silverton Mountain: Beer, Sparkling Water, Charcuterie Board with a mountain mix of salami, prosciutto, brie, havarti dill and gouda cheeses, dried fruit, pickles, olives. Served with baguette, table crackers, and gluten-free rice crackers.
  • 5pm: Return to Grand Imperial Hotel in your personal vehicle
  • 5:30pm-6:30pm:  Rental Returns with Evo | Lobby, Grand Imperial Hotel 
  • 6:30pm: Closing Dinner & Farewell Circle of Love | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel: **PLEASE BRING WINTER JACKETS**
    Pasta with bolognese or vegetarian sauce. Served with side salad and fresh baked garlic bread. Warm cookies and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Choice of beer, white wine, and red wine.  Cocktails and hard liquor available at the bar for purchase.
  • 7:15pm-7:35pm:  Education Panel: Spreading the Love – The Power of Connection
    • Moderators:  
      • Andy Littman | Special Counsel, Family/Divorce Law Practice Leader, Caplan & Earnest; Board Emeritus, SOS Outreach
      • Alfredo Velasco | SOS Alumni; Head of Engineering, CivicEye; Board of Directors, SOS Outreach
    • Panel: 
  • 7:35pm:  Closing Circle of Love & Group Photo | Outside, Grand Imperial Hotel
  • 10pm: FYI – Bar closes
Tuesday, January 16: Departures
  • 6:30am-8:30am: Breakfast | Lacey Rose Saloon, Grand Imperial Hotel
  • Before 11am: Check-out/Depart from Grand Imperial Hotel on your own schedule

HOTEL

Your hotel reservation is under your name at the Grand Imperial Hotel with check-in on Saturday (3pm-8pm) and checkout on Tuesday (before 11am), unless otherwise arranged. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay later, please contact the Grand Imperial Hotel directly at +1-970-387-5527 ASAP.

Grand Imperial Hotel
1219 Greene Street
Silverton, CO 81433
970-387-5527
info@grandimperialhotel.com

ON-SITE EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Please store our numbers in your phone and call if you need anything!

  • Laura Vogel: +1-262-374-4639
  • Mia D’Angelo:  +1-607-237-1891

TRAVEL INFO 

  • Unless otherwise noted in your registration, all hotel rooms are booked from Saturday, January 13-Tuesday, January 16. 
  • Please plan to arrive Saturday afternoon before 5pm to collect your rental gear and check-in prior to our Welcome Reception & Dinner. 
  • Check the roads! Before you drive to the San Juans it is always a good idea to check the road conditions to make sure Red Mountain Pass is open. If it closes, you will need to reroute your trip to go from the other side of Silverton from Durango.  
    • As mentioned above, we are expecting snow on Saturday.  We do have hotel rooms available for Friday night (for an additional fee) if you’d like to arrive a day early.  Please reserve ASAP with the Grand Imperial Hotel (+1-970-387-5527). 

SNOW FORECAST 

Our friends at Open Snow are forecasting 37 inches over the next 5 days (3 inches today/Thursday, 1 inch on Friday, 5 inches on Saturday, 15 inches on Sunday, and 3 inches on Monday).

Updated on Jan 11, 2024 at 11am MT

 

RENTAL GEAR

Many, many thanks to our amazing friends at Evo Denver for generously providing all gear requested via the survey.  

    • Gear Pick-up: Sat, Jan 13 from 3pm-6pm in the Lobby of Grand Imperial Hotel. 
      If you are arriving late, please text Laura at 262-374-4639 to coordinate gear pick-up.  
    • Gear Return:  Monday, Jan 15 at 5:30pm-6:30pm in the Lobby of Grand Imperial Hotel. If you are departing early, please leave gear with the front desk at the Grand Imperial Hotel. 
  • Note:  We recommend bringing powder skis for Monday at Silverton Mountain, as you will not be needing the touring equipment on Monday.  

PACKING LIST 

Sunday:  Guiding Backcountry Skiing/Riding with San Juan Expeditions

  • *Snowshoes are not allowed*
  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment
    • Avalanche probe
    • Collapsible shovel
    • Avalanche beacon / transceiver (digital 457 kHz frequency only) three antenna transceivers are preferred
  • Skiing Equipment 
    • Alpine Touring/AT Boots
    • Alpine Touring/AT Skis with touring alpine bindings or telemark bindings. (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to skis in advance)
    • Skins that fit your skis (pre-cut)
    • Telescoping Poles
  • Snowboarding Equipment
    • Split Board with touring bindings and skins (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to board before the course)
    • Collapsible poles OR Snowboard (with means of attachment to pack—please have a system worked out before you arrive)
  • Clothing
    • Ski socks
    • Warm hat 
    • Helmet
    • Wool or Synthetic Base Layer (top + bottom)
    • Mid-weight / breathable insulating layer
    • Hardshell or softshell ski/snowboard pants
    • Hardshell (waterproof + breathable) jacket
    • Puffy’ jacket (i.e. 800 fill) ‘security’ puffy (down or synthetic)
    • Gloves (two pairs are best – a lighter pair for going up & a warmer pair)
  • Misc Items
    • Sunglasses and/or Goggles
    • Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
    • Personal first-aid / repair kit
    • Camera or Smartphone
    • Headlamp
    • Water bottle (at least 1 litre); *we do not advise Camelbacks
    • Cell phone or two-way radio / BCA link (optional)
    • Ski Backpack (large enough to fit all gear INSIDE)

Monday:  Private Skiing at Silverton Mountain 

Note: While you are welcome to use your evo touring rental gear, we recommend bringing your own skiing/riding equipment for Silverton Mountain.  

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment *required*
    • Avalanche probe
    • Collapsible shovel
    • Avalanche beacon / transceiver (digital 457 kHz frequency only) three antenna transceivers are preferred
    • Backpack to carry above items with ski/snowboard carrying capabilities. 
  • Skiing Equipment 
    • Ski Boots
    • Powder Skis (the fatter the better)
      • Note: K2 super fat skis are available for rent at Silverton Mountain. Boot rentals are not available.  
    • Poles 
  • Snowboarding Equipment
    • Snowboard
      • Note: Venture snowboards are available for rent at Silverton Mountain. Please bring your own boots, bindings, and hardware if you are planning to rent a Venture Snowboard.
    • Snowboard Boots and bindings
  • Clothing
    • Please bring layers… for everything from warm and sunny to cold and snowy mountain weather. Equipment made with waterproof material is encouraged.
  • Other
    • Helmet 
    • Goggles 

DRESS CODE 

The dress code for the entire weekend is casual. 

TIPPING YOUR GUIDES 

Please consider tipping your guides both days (Sunday and Monday). Cash tips are preferred but the guides also accept venmo.  A $30-$50 tip per person is recommended.

ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

For those of you not participating in skiing/riding activities on Sunday or Monday, we have prepared an alternative activity list for you. View list.

OUR INSPIRING SPEAKERS

  • Carrie Besnette Hauser, Ph.D. | CEO, Colorado Mountain College
  • Andy Littman | Special Counsel, Family/Divorce Law Practice Leader, Caplan & Earnest; Board Emeritus, SOS Outreach
  • Pat Milbery | Renowned Street Artist; Former Pro Snowboarder
  • Philip Qualman | Superintendent, Eagle County School District
  • Jamie Rosales | SOS Alumni
  • Vicente Flores | SOS Alumni
  • Travis Tafoya | SOS Alumni; Sr. Manager, Inclusive Access & Community Impact Vail Resort; Board of Directors, SOS Outreach
  • Alfredo Velasco | SOS Alumni; Head of Engineering, CivicEye; Board of Directors, SOS Outreach
  • Elizabeth Velasco | Member, Colorado House of Representatives, 57th district