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Silverton expands expert ski terrain

Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 25, 2006 at midnight

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Silverton Mountain Ski Area struck a long-sought deal to buy the 164 acres of private land scattered throughout its expert terrain in southwestern Colorado.

The expansion boosts Silverton up a notch vs. other large Colorado venues. It also means visitors to the rugged ski area no longer have to steer clear of certain pockets of land to avoid trespassing.

"People don't have to make a left turn halfway down the run any more," said Silverton Mountain owner Aaron Brill. "And there's some really steep chutes people have been ogling for years."

Brill bought the former mining claims from Aspen businessman Jim Jackson for an undisclosed amount, putting an end to a long-running battle over the land.

Jackson had sued Brill for conducting avalanche control and trespassing, but a judge awarded Jackson only $1 in damages after ruling the ski area had trespassed in part to conduct avalanche control work "for a valid public purpose."

San Juan County took steps to condemn the property so avalanche control work could continue on the steep terrain above public roads leading to the ski area.

The county exercised its power of eminent domain after trying to buy Jackson's various mining claims.

Silverton now has 1,819 acres of skiable terrain, putting it above Telluride's 1,700 acres.

The expansion follows the ski area's move into unguided skiing last season. Before that, it had clearance to take only a small number of skiers out on guided runs.

The ski area also announced it will sell a limited number of season passes for unguided skiing. Through Sept. 15, the passes will cost $999. After that, the price will be $1,299.

The season pass includes six free days at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, five free days at Monarch Mountain and four free days at Arapahoe Basin. It also includes two days of guided skiing at Silverton.

Pass holders also can buy discounted Silverton guided skiing passes for $79.

Silverton's permit allows it to offer unguided skiing from Thanksgiving through Jan. 14, and from April 5 through April 29. Guided-only skiing runs from Jan. 18 to April 1.

Colorado's top ski areas by size

Vail    5,289 acres

Snowmass    3,125 acres

Steamboat    2,965 acres

Keystone    2,870 acres

Winter Park/ Mary Jane    2,770 acres

Copper Mountain    2,450 acres

Breckenridge    2,208 acres

Silverton    1,819 acres

Telluride    1,700 acres

Beaver Creek    1,625 acres

Note: Size measured in skiable acres. Silverton Mountain Ski Area's deal to buy 164 acres of private land bumps it up a notch versus other large Colorado ski areas.

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