Kendall Mountain: Silverton's own little ski hill

Silverton’s name usually pulls up two extremes: the expert-only chutes at Silverton Mountain, or the avalanche warnings that come with backcountry season. Quieter, and a lot closer to everyday life, is Kendall Mountain Recreation Area, which the Town of Silverton owns and runs itself.

It sits at the edge of town, and the Town’s Parks and Facilities staff care for it alongside Molas Lake Park. The pitch is the opposite of intimidating: gentle, beginner-friendly terrain where, as the Town puts it, a whole family can ski for less than a single lift ticket at one of Colorado’s bigger resorts. Kids five and under ski free. Beyond the lift, there’s a Nordic trail network for cross-country skiing, an ice rink for skating, and ski, snowboard, Nordic, and skate rentals on a first-come basis.

One honest caveat: Kendall relies entirely on natural snow, so its open dates shift with the weather, and the hill sat out the 2025/26 season. The community has also been studying ways to expand it into more of a year-round draw. The Town of Silverton’s Parks and Facilities page is the place to confirm current status, hours, and rates before planning a trip.