Chasing Powder in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

Presented by the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport

With the highest average snowfall in the state, the San Juan Mountains provide the perfect setting for powder-filled ski trip.

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 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 scoring powder stashes at a resort, learning to tour in the backcountry, or spending nights tucked away in a remote 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 Hwy 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 Hwy 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.

Honda Genuine Accessories — like the roof platform and ski/snowboard attachment — add versatility so you can explore new rugged adventures. Top: Shutterstock. Bottom: Honda.
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Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.

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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.

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Disclaimer: Passport TrailSport Elite shown with accessory MOLLE Panel Set and premium color. Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.

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 until 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.

Seamlessly transition from off-road to on with a 285-horsepower V-6 engine and 10-speed transmission to help navigate mountain terrain. Top: Shutterstock. Bottom: Honda.
Disclaimer: Passport TrailSport Elite shown with Honda Genuine Accessories and premium color. Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.

Traverse a Multi-Day 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 five 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.

When you’re headed off the grid, rely on the Passport’s four USB-C 3.0A charging ports throughout the cabin to make sure the whole group can power up devices faster. Top: Shutterstock. Bottom: Honda.
Disclaimer: Passport TrailSport Elite shown with accessory seat back protector. Honda reminds you to properly secure cargo items and follow all applicable load limits and loading guidelines.