What Silverton Mountain does

Silverton Mountain is a privately held, single-chairlift ski resort in Silverton, Colorado, operating on BLM public land in the San Juan Mountains since its January 2002 founding by Aaron Brill. It is the highest ski area in North America (13,487' peak, 10,400' base) and is positioned exclusively for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, with 100% of terrain rated advanced/expert, no groomed runs, and no cut trails. The resort spans 26,819 skiable acres with 1,819 acres accessed via a double chairlift and additional vertical accessible through hiking or helicopter (29,000-acre heli zone). Annual snowfall averages 400+ inches. Operations rely on natural terrain, avalanche mitigation, and human guides rather than snowmaking or grooming infrastructure.

The commercial model is built around three core experiences: guided skiing (December-April, Thursday-Sunday, groups of 8 or fewer, $199-$249/day), spring unguided skiing (March-April, $99/day, daily cap of 475), and heli-skiing products ranging from a single heli run add-on ($199, unique in the continental US) to 6-run packages ($1,299-$1,599) and private helicopter bookings ($19,999-$29,999). Pricing tiers include Base, Premium, and Kids Spring Unguided Season Passes ($99-$449) with reciprocal benefits at Arapahoe Basin, TAOS Ski Valley, and Monarch Mountain. A separate Private Mountain Rental product supports exclusive buyouts for corporate, charity, and celebration events. Daily skier volume is structurally capped — typically under 80 during guided season despite a 475 unguided cap — creating scarcity-based premium positioning. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via silvertonmountain.com (powered by Flybook and Smartwaiver) with on-mountain ticket sales and a phone line; the only channel partner is the reciprocal pass program.

The business is founder-controlled with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds. Operations use third-party integrations including OpenSnow for weather/snow data, Buckhorn Limousine for Durango-Silverton transport, and Precision LLC (FAA-authorized) for helicopter services. Marketing relies on earned media (Warren Miller films, Red Bull productions, CBS 60 Minutes), athlete partnerships (Shaun White, Michelle Parker, Maggie Voisin), organic social media, and community events (Silverton Skinny, Splitfest, Sisters in the Steeps). Equipment partners include Black Diamond, Venture Snowboards, K2, Armada, Smith, Oakley, The North Face, and Surefoot.

Name

Silverton Mountain

Legal name

Silverton Mountain

Website

https://silvertonmountain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Silverton Mountain is a privately held, expert-only ski resort in Silverton, Colorado, operating the highest lift-served terrain in North America (13,487' peak) with guided skiing, spring unguided access, and heli-skiing products sold direct-to-consumer to advanced skiers seeking scarcity and adventure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Resort Services

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (71392), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Ski & Mountain Resorts (Lift-Served Skiing/Riding) (THAAAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD), Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF)

Keywords

• Guided ski resort
• Heli skiing services
• Backcountry skiing
• Expert ski terrain
• Mountain adventure tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Silverton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Guided Skiing Tickets: Day tickets for guided skiing experiences with expert guides leading small groups through advanced terrain. Operating December 31 - April 11, Thursdays-Sundays only.
2. Private Guide Services: Private guiding for up to 8 people with dedicated expert guide for intimate experience. Available during guided and unguided seasons.
3. Unguided Skiing Tickets: Day lift tickets for experienced skiers during spring unguided season (March-April). No reservation required.
4. HeliSkiing Add-ons and Packages: Single heli run add-ons, 6-run heli day packages, and private heliskiing experiences. Only operator in continental US offering single heli runs.
5. Season Passes: Spring Unguided Season Passes (Base and Premium tiers) with partner resort benefits and discounted heli add-ons.
6. Private Mountain Rental: Exclusive mountain buyout for charity fundraisers, corporate events, bachelor/bachelorette parties, photo shoots. Available December 1 onwards.
7. Equipment Rentals: Rental equipment including backcountry gear packages, backpacks, skis, snowboards, avalanche safety equipment. Does not rent boots or snowboard bindings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Silverton Mountain operates a single-chairlift ski resort in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, offering guided and unguided skiing, heli-skiing, season passes, equipment rentals, and private mountain buyouts. The resort serves exclusively advanced and expert skiers across 1,819 acres of lift-served terrain and 29,000 acres of heli-accessible terrain, with no groomed runs and limited daily capacity to preserve an authentic adventure experience.

Product overview

Silverton Mountain is a single-chairlift ski area in Colorado offering a portfolio of adventure skiing products centered on guided and unguided skiing experiences for advanced and expert skiers. The core product is guided skiing (December-April, Thursday-Sunday) accessing 1,819 acres of lift-served terrain, complemented by spring unguided skiing (March-April) for experienced independent skiers. Heliskiing add-ons include single runs ($199), 6-run days ($999-$1,599), and private helicopter experiences ($15,999-$19,999). Season pass products (Base, Premium, Kids) provide unguided access with escalating perks including heli add-ons and partner mountain days. Additional services include rental equipment, professional guide staffing, private mountain buyouts, and real-time snow reporting. The company differentiates through limited daily capacity, no groomed terrain, and exclusive access to expert-only high-alpine terrain at North America's highest ski area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guided Skiing Expert-guided lift-served skiing and snowboarding experience accessing 1,819 acres of advanced/expert terrain via single chairlift. Available December through April, operating Thursday through Sunday with group sizes of 8 or less per guide.
• Unguided Skiing Self-guided skiing access for experienced skiers during spring season (March-April). Skiers navigate terrain independently using beacon, shovel, and probe with a daily cap of 475 people.
• Single Heli Run Single helicopter run add-on to lift ticket allowing skiers to access backcountry terrain beyond lift-served boundaries. Priced at $199 in addition to lift ticket. Only operator in continental US offering single heli runs.
• 6 Run Heli Day Full-day heliskiing package offering six helicopter runs in 29,000 acres of exclusive terrain. Price varies by season ($1,299-$1,599), includes equipment and guiding.
• Private Heli Exclusive private helicopter experience for up to 7 skiers/riders with dedicated helicopter. Available 7 days a week, pricing varies ($19,999 starting) depending on date and season. Includes access to 29,000-acre heli zone.
• Telluride Heliskiing Heliskiing experience departing from Telluride Airport, ideal for visitors staying in Telluride. Includes private heliskiing, heli transfers, and various skiing packages.
• Private Mountain Rental
• Spring Unguided Base Pass Season pass for unguided skiing access during spring season (March-April) at $299. Includes one discounted $99 heli skiing add-on. Limited quantity available.
• Spring Unguided Premium Pass Enhanced season pass at $449 including two $99 heli add-ons, partner mountain days (Arapahoe Basin, Taos Ski Valley, Monarch), $99 standby skiing during guided season, and 5% off heli.life experiences.
• Spring Unguided Kids Pass Season pass for children 17 and under at $99, providing full unguided skiing access during spring season with no future price increases.
• Rental Gear Equipment rental service offering backcountry gear packages, backpacks, K2 skis, Venture Snowboards, Black Diamond beacons, shovels, probes, ski poles, helmets, and goggles. Boots and snowboard bindings not available.
• Private Guide Service Private guiding service for up to 8 people with dedicated expert guide for an intimate experience. Starting at $1,194, available Thursday-Sunday during guided season and Wednesday-Sunday during unguided season.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average snowfall exceeds 400 inches annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Black Diamond EquipmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment partner providing avalanche safety gear, shovels, probes, and beacons for rental program. Black Diamond is a major outdoor equipment manufacturer partnering with Silverton Mountain to provide safety equipment to guests.
• Venture SnowboardscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal snowboard manufacturer providing super tough boards crafted from sustainable materials for rental program. Snowboards available for rent with customers providing their own boots, bindings, and hardware.
• OakleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear partner providing goggles and sunglasses for the Silverton Mountain experience.
• Armada SkisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki manufacturer partner for Silverton Mountain.
• Montucky Cold SnacksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnack partner providing products at the mountain.
• Rambler Sparkling WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner providing sparkling water at the mountain base.
• Smith OpticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOptics partner providing goggles and helmets for rental program.
• SurefootminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoot fitting and performance partner featured at Silverton Mountain.
• The North FaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApparel partner supporting Silverton Mountain operations.
• Arapahoe BasincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado ski resort partner with reciprocal pass benefits. Premium Pass holders receive 2 free skiing days at Arapahoe Basin, plus 40% discount on Summer 2026 Via Ferrata and Aerial Adventure Park bookings.
• TAOS Ski ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Mexico ski resort partner with reciprocal pass benefits. Premium Pass holders receive 2 free skiing days at Taos, plus one complimentary summer lift ticket for mountain biking or scenic chair ride.
• Monarch MountaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado ski resort partner with reciprocal pass benefits. Premium Pass holders receive 2 free skiing days with select blackout dates during peak periods.
• Precision LLCcoreOthersFAA authorized Air Carrier (Certificate number NKVA853G) providing helicopter operations for Silverton Mountain's heliskiing program. Essential operational partner for heli-skiing services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Alta Ski Area: Utah ski area with a similar anti-mainstream philosophy: expert-oriented terrain, no snowboarding historically, no on-mountain lodging development, and a culture-first positioning. Closest philosophical and operational peer to Silverton's club-field ethos.
• CMH Heli-Skiing: Largest heli-skiing operator globally with multi-day packages in British Columbia. Direct peer in the heli-skiing category, offering comparable (but multi-day-only) products against Silverton's single-run innovation.
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: Wyoming destination resort known for expert-only Corbet's Couloir and extreme terrain. Comparable as a destination resort built around advanced/expert skiing with strong media profile and premium pricing.
• Taos Ski Valley: New Mexico resort with significant expert terrain and a recent renaissance under new ownership. Direct peer as a reciprocal partner resort with comparable advanced-terrain focus and independent-operator DNA.
• Arapahoe Basin: Colorado ski area famous for expert terrain, long season, and independent-operator culture. Reciprocal pass partner with Silverton; similar pricing-tier approach and skier-density discipline.
• Bridger Bowl: Montana non-profit ski area with a club-field, expert-friendly ethos and ungroomed natural-snow terrain. Comparable philosophical peer (cited as an inspiration for Silverton's model) operating with similar capacity-constrained economics.
• Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing: Premier Canadian heli-skiing operator offering multi-day packages in BC. Comparable as a heli-skiing specialist serving the same elite-skier customer segment, though without lift-served integration.
• Monarch Mountain: Small independent Colorado ski area with limited infrastructure and a loyal local following. Reciprocal pass partner and comparable as a small, founder- and community-driven independent mountain.
• Alyeska Resort: Alaska destination resort combining lift-served skiing with heli-skiing operations. Comparable hybrid business model pairing chairlift access with helicopter-accessed terrain in extreme environments.

Broad incumbents

• Telluride Ski Resort: Large nearby Colorado destination resort with extensive expert terrain and significant lodging base. Broad incumbent operating at much larger scale in the same geography and customer demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/silvertonmtn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/silvertonmt
• Facebookfacebook.com/SilvertonMountain
• Instagraminstagram.com/silvertonmtn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silverton-mountain

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silverton Mountain