Steep peaks, deep snow, and wide-open terrain — Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are a dream destination for skiers of all stripes. And, if you’re on the hunt for fresh powder, the San Juans deliver. Thanks to its unique positioning to catch moisture coming from the Pacific, the region sees more fresh snow on an average year than anywhere else in Colorado.

Whether you’re touring the backcountry or spending nights tucked away in a remote ski hut, there’s no shortage of ways to earn your turns in this wild and beautiful range. 

Wondering how to experience it for yourself? Here’s a look at options for all levels.

Go Resort Hopping

For skiers who prefer to enjoy their powder days inbounds, the San Juan range is home to several top-tier ski resorts. Just off Highway 145, Telluride Ski Resort is famous for its diverse terrain, from beginner slopes to expert-level side-country areas.

On an average year, the resort sees around 47 days of snow. That means 47 chances to have the powder day of your dreams, exploring more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain with 149 groomed trails and 17 lifts. 

East of Telluride along Highway 550, skiers can explore off-the-beaten-path at the San Juan Mountains’ smaller resorts. Advanced skiers and snowboarders can take on steep terrain at Silverton Mountain. Here, a single chairlift shuttles skiers nearly 2,000 feet to access 26,819 acres of terrain, with skiable lines in every direction.

With an average of more than 400 inches of snowfall annually, the area is perfect for skiers looking for that backcountry powder experience that comes with some perks of a resort. If you prefer a more traditional ski resort vibe, travel south on the same highway to Purgatory Resort. This ski area offers a welcoming atmosphere and a wide variety of terrain for all levels, accessible via 12 lifts, plus an average of 260 inches of snow per year.

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Take a Ski Touring Class

Ready to venture fully off the resort? The San Juan Mountains offer some of the best ski-touring terrain in Colorado — and plenty of ways to learn how to navigate it safely.

Several local guide companies, including San Juan Mountain Guides, offer backcountry skiing classes out of Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride. These classes are geared toward skiers who are comfortable skiing variable expert terrain on the resort and want to build the skills and confidence for backcountry travel.

From introductory avalanche education courses to multiday ski mountaineering clinics, the programs include hands-on training with avalanche rescue equipment, route planning, snowpack assessment, and terrain management. Plus, the seasoned instructors who teach the classes know the San Juans inside and out, so they also offer guided trips into the backcountry to put your new skills to the test.

Ski to a Backcountry Hut

The region’s impressive backcountry hut system is one of the most unique features of skiing in the San Juan Mountains. Modeled after the networks of backcountry huts found in Europe, these cozy basecamps offer skiers seemingly unlimited access to untracked terrain while seriously cutting down on the approach time.

Skin out with your food, gear, and friends — many huts are accessible with just a few hours of touring. Then, enjoy back-to-back days lapping powder-filled bowls or skiing in the trees to your heart’s content. Because most huts are equipped with wood stoves, firewood, cooking gear, and bunks, you’ll be able to enjoy a touch of comfort as you recharge for the next day.

First-time hut skiers with groups of up to eight can plan an approachable tour to the Blue Lakes Hut near Ridgeway. The 5.5-mile winter route to the hut follows a snow-covered road with a gentle slope and a 1,260-foot elevation gain.

For a full-service experience, check out the Opus Hut near Ophir Pass. A stay here includes prepared meals, so you won’t have to worry about carrying all of your food with you as you skin 3.5 miles out to the hut.

Traverse a Multiday Hut Circuit

Experienced backcountry skiers can find adventure beyond a single basin on a multi-hut trip in the San Juan Mountains. Plan your route to fully explore the area by linking stays at remote huts. Stay a few nights at each stop to enjoy a more leisurely pace, or traverse to a new hut every other day to maximize your access to new skiable terrain.

These trips require solid route-finding skills, avalanche awareness, and a strong sense of self-sufficiency. But the payoff is huge: untracked snow, jaw-dropping scenery, and the kind of solitude that’s hard to find anywhere else. 

Prefer a less DIY approach? Opt for a guided trip, like the famous Million Dollar Traverse, which connects the OPUS Hut, Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, and Mt. Hayden Backcountry Lodge over 5 days of backcountry exploration. With hot meals, expert guides, and deep powder right outside the door, these trips blend the thrill of remote touring with the ease of a supported stay.

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If you love to ski fresh powder, the San Juan Mountains are an experience you’ll never forget.

This article was sponsored by the all-new 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. Whatever level of ski adventure you decide to get after, the Honda Passport TrailSport can help make sure you’re never far from the action — or the powder.