First Turns at Silverton
Silverton Mountain, Colorado's newest and highest ski area, gets first tracks of the 2002-2003 ski season. With several September storms dropping over 20 inches of snow at the top of the ski area, Silverton Mountain experienced its first ski run of the season on September 18, 2002. The abundance of early season snowfall has allowed Silverton Mountain to push the projected opening date for skiing up to October 17, 2002. With all natural snow and no snowmaking, Silverton should be the first ski area open in the nation this year and for years to come. All Silverton Mountain ski runs are advanced and expert--meaning early season skiing will be much more than the usual strip of man-made snow found at other areas.
A handful of Silverton Mountain employees fired up the lift to get in a few pre-season runs before work. Jerome Gardner, Silverton Mountain employee said, "Best run of the season," after skiing calf-deep powder on September 18, 2002.