Kendall Mountain Recreation Area in Silverton is continuing its traditional night skiing series, beginning on Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and ending in March.
“We are expected to run a series of three night ski events January, February and March,” said Silverton Community and Events Manager Nathan Baxter. “One of them will also coincide with our Snowscape Winter Festival. We are gearing up for the first night ski this Saturday.”
The night skiing series is part of Kendall Mountain seasonal passes. Daily ticket prices for night skiing are at the half-day rate of $17 for adults and $12 for kids, seniors and military/vets. Children under 6 can ski for free.
Baxter said it is the children who really help light up the slopes during the night ski series, as Kendall Mountain provides several props to help bring glowing color to the area.
“Everyone’s going to be lit up with glasses, necklaces, bracelets and foam swords,” Baxter said. “With night ski, we do get light towers out there. But it’s the running down our blue run which all the kiddos absolutely love.”
Baxter said watching the children ski down the slopes with their glow-in-the-dark accessories is the highlight of the series.
“It's absolutely amazing,” he said. “Just watching them came down the hill is probably the best part about it. It's amazing how talented those kids are. And how fearless they are.”
Baxter also said night skiers at Kendall Mountain can expect more than just glow-in-the-dark skiing on Saturday.
“We're going to be hosting different events throughout the night ski series,” he said. “This first one we're going to have a community potluck and concessions. We're also hoping to have live music from the local radio station 92.5 (KSJC) out there, so we can rock out.”
Baxter said each series from January through March will have something different to look forward to.
“Each night ski will have a different theme to it,” he said. “So this one's just the initial community theme. Snowscape (Silverton’s winter festival) will determine the theme for the February night ski and then March will have a different theme as well.”
Returning night skiers can also expect to stay a little warmer this year between ski runs.
“What’s new this year compared to the last few years is that the base lodge is open again, so people can go inside and warm up,” Baxter said. “We will be having some fire pits set out so people can enjoy being outside watching everyone ski down, as well as warming up between runs, along with our Kendall ski area, lift crew and rental operators. They absolutely love it as much as anyone else.”
No one is more excited than Baxter for the night ski series to roll around, so he can get out onto the dark slopes and show off his glow-in-the-dark attire.
“It's beyond fun,” Baxter said. “I always work it and ski when I can. I get to join the kiddos and watch them ski every single night. Totally worth it.”
molsen@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story gave incorrect ticket prices for night skiing at Kendall Mountain Recreation Area. The half-day rate is $17 for adults and $12 for kids, seniors and military/vets. Children under 6 can ski for free. Incorrect information was given to the Herald.
