San Juan Ski Company
snowcat skiing specials
We are turning 15 this year and are running specials on and around the 15th of every month through April. We also have ski and stay packages. Visit our blog for information. Unless stated otherwise, all snowcat skiing specials, backcountry tours and avalanche courses include: avalanche safety gear, (BCA Tracker beacon, shovel and shovel pack), souvenir water bottle and water and a one-ride lift ticket. Prices listed below do not include taxes or gratuity.
Half-day snowcat trips
Price is $200 and includes guide and snowmobile ride to rendezvous with the snowcat (if applicable). Half-day starts at 11:30.
This trip was created to accommodate guests who have late/early flights arriving to and from Durango and for guests driving over from Telluride. Our late morning start time also accommodates skiers/boarders who are unable to ski Silverton Mountain or with Helitrax due to poor weather conditions. Due to logistics, this tour is not available every day. If you have a large group, it may be possible to book the entire snowcat for a half-day. This trip cannot be booked online.
Full-day snowcat trip with powder lessons
Price is $400 and includes powder skis and a full-day lesson with an accredited ski instructor.
Half-day snowcat trip with powder lessons
Price is $250 and includes powder skis and half-day lesson with an accredited ski instructor. We need a minimum of four to book these trips.
Our learn-to-ski powder trips are geared for intermediate skiers looking to hone their powder skills and experience backcountry skiing. These trips allow skiers a more relaxed approach to catsking. In addition to the ski instructor, our guides will also share tips and techniques on skiing powder and trees to help you master powder in the backcountry.
Steep skiing clinics
Price is $275 and includes lunch. We need minimum of four to book this trip. Get a group of like-minded shredders together and we will do our best to make your dreams of going big come true.
This trip is geared for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders who want to rip the steep alpine, huck a few cliffs and perfect their big mountain skiing/snowboarding techniques. Our snowcat will haul skiers and snowboarders to the steepest, gnarliest lines in our terrain; where short hikes will access chutes and the steep faces on Graysill Mountain and Grayrock Peak.
Trip is subject to change based on weather, snow conditions and avalanche danger. Instead, groups might be below-timberline skiing deep powder on steep-treed slopes riddled with cliffs.
Family PowderCats
Price is $250 for adults and $100 for children (up to age 16). An adult must accompany each child. We need a minimum of four full-paying adults and four children to book this trip.
We created this trip since we had so much fun with our young daughter and her rippin’ little friends last year. This trip is geared for children who have intermediate powder skiing skills and a sense of adventure. We break for lunch at our warming hut. We do not have powder rental skis for children.
If your child is a strong advanced or expert skier, we suggest you book seats on a snowcat tour. We do not offer child rates on regular trips.
Backcountry Ski Tours
Price is $225 per person and includes AT skis, skins, avalanche probe and beacon, shovel and snowmobile ride. Please bring your own boots, lunch and day pack. Backcountry Experience rents telemark gear. We need a minimum of two guests to guide this trip. Our guide-to-client radio is 1:4.
We created this trip to access the remote areas of our terrain that we logistically can’t reach with the snowcat. This area is miles from the nearest highway and trailhead and offers phenomenal old-growth tree skiing, above-timberline bowls and spectacular scenery. Ski touring into this terrain is truly a backcountry powder experience and earning your turns has never been so rewarding! You and your guide will access this terrain by snowmobiles and by skinning uphill.
Our backcountry ski tours are catered to you and your groups’ abilities and interests. We only offer private bookings. You (and your party) will have complete control of your ski day - choose how much skiing, what type of runs, and how hard (or how little) you want to push yourself and the rest of your group.
Our guides are experts in avalanche awareness and backcountry travel, including equipment use, route finding and travel protocols, and will share this knowledge and backcountry experience with every group.
This trip is geared for strong intermediate and advanced skiers in good physical shape.
Avalanche Courses
Price is $200. We need a minimum of six to book this trip. Price includes instruction, equipment and learning materials.
This trip is geared for individuals or groups wanting to sharpen their avalanche skills. There is no better place to gain avalanche awareness skills than with a snowcat skiing operation that does it everyday, day in and day out. Groups will get in plenty of skiing as well as learning about avalanche terrain recognition, assessment and selection through field observations.
Gift Certificates
Give a gift of powder! Price is $250. Gift certificates are good for any day that we are running regular trips and are transferable. Once purchased, we will email or send the gift certificate to you or the recipient.
Rent out both snowcats and/or our snowcoach
Not only do we cater to skiing and snowboarding groups, but we also rent our snowcats and 15-person snowcoach for parties, weddings and team-building workshops.
Discounted lodging for guests
The Silverpick lodge, located one mile south of our base of operations, offers a 20 percent discount on lodging for all SJSC guests. The discount includes lodge rooms and condos. The Silverpick also has one of the best restaurants in the area. Call 1.800.295.4820 for information or visit them at www.silverpicklodge.com.