Fifty years ago, Kendall Mountain Ski Area opened in Silverton. In a twist this weekend that customers will find refreshing, the town is turning back the clock and offering $2 lift tickets ($1 for kids) – the same prices offered when Kendall opened in 1964.
It’s all part of Silverton’s Snowscape, an annual celebration that will feature snow sculpting, snow golf, a cardboard derby with a 1960s car theme and one thing Silverton is more renowned for on Independence Day: fireworks.
And although it is next weekend (Feb. 15-16) that Silverton’s also-renowned annual skijoring competition (a horse pulling a skier) will be contested, Snowscape weekend will feature canine skijoring – a dog pulling a child on skis.
Kendall Mountain opened in January 1964 just across the Animas River from downtown Silverton, tucked up against the slopes of the mountain that rises to 13,066 feet above the town. It operated until 1974, then shut down for nearly a quarter-century until its grand reopening on Feb. 20, 1999.
The town’s ceremonial 50th anniversary ribbon-cutting with the family of George Bingle, mayor 50 years ago and one of the founders of Kendall Mountain, is at 6 p.m. Saturday. Bingle died in 1990. Fireworks will follow about 9 p.m.
Town spokeswoman Chelsea Stromberg said a snow-bike exhibition is planned, and other events will include snow-shovel racing, broomball, a snowmobile parade and live music in town.
Kendall Mountain operates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Adult tickets usually cost $20.
johnp@durangoherald.com
More information
For more on Snowscape, visit the Snowscape Facebook page.
For more on Kendall Mountain Recreation Area and the town, visit www.skikendall.com or www.silvertoncolorado.com.
