Silverton
Post office behind the Grand Imperial hotel
the Grand Imperial hotel
hired gun guarding the hotel
while the Native American sells cigars
Located in the San Juan Triangle, Silverton’s Blair Street Bordello District once attracted miners to its gambling halls, brothels and sporting houses in hordes. At a time when the drone of picks, mallets and dynamite rang out from the mountains above, Silverton housed more than 40 full-service saloons. Nowadays, Silverton resembles “a step back in time” with its Victorian-style architecture and many nuances from its wild and wooly past. Though an assortment of shops, boutiques and unique dining opportunities are more prevalent today, Silverton is a classic town, one filled with charm and charisma.
another hotel
typical residence
yet another hotel
use the stage coach to catch the train to Durango
All Aboard for Durango
Daily summer rides on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad—between Durango and Silverton—are a great way to soak up the region’s scenery.
More Photos of the Narrow Gauge Railroad
the county courthouse
the city hall
low avalanche warning level
(snow all melted in June)
One of Silverton’s main attractions is its newest edition, Silverton Mountain Ski Area. As the first of its kind in the U.S., Silverton Mountain, a lift-accessed backcountry ski area, is unlike any other. With one lift serving 340 private acres of terrain and accessing 1,300 more managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the place is for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders only. There isn’t any grooming on any of the runs and skiers and snowboarders must wear/carry and know how to use avalanche equipment. At this point, Silverton Mountain is a guided-only operation but future plans are to hopefully offer guided and unguided services. During the summer months, Silverton Mountain offers lift access for scenic tours.
delivering hay to the horse and the donkeys
