Day 1. Leave Golden, CO, and head south on US 285 towards US 50 and Monarch Mountain. Either head up old Monarch Pass for some snowshoeing, or head to Monarch Mountain for some uncrowded turns at the ski area. Stay the night at the mountain.
Day 2-3. Head west on US 50 to the turn off for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The South entrance, which is 15 miles East of Montrose, is open year-round and offers a great opportunity to snowshoe the South rim of the Canyon. The South Rim Campgrounds are also open year-round, so stay a couple of days and explore this amazing canyon.
Days 4-5. After visiting The Black Canyon, Head west on US 50 to the Junction of US 550. Head south on US 550 to the Junction of CO 62. Take CO 62 to the town of Telluride. There are plenty of boarding and snowshoeing opportunities here. (see maps and guide) You will probably want to stay here at least 1 full day if not 2 to take in the beauty, and explore the town of Telluride.
Days 6-8. Backtrack on CO 62 to US 550, then head south to the town of Ouray. It would be worth it to take a dip in one of the many Hot Springs in and around this town. Continue south to the Town of Silverton. Camp in Silverton, or head directly to Silverton Mountain Ski Area. I would allot 3 days to enjoy all that Silverton Mountain has to offer. Day 1, ride the only lift on the mountain to amazing steeps and tree runs. Also, there is great hike-to terrain abound. Day 2, Try some cat skiing. Their Snowcats will get you to some of the best terrain on the mountain. Day 3, the Grand Finale! Heliboarding some of the best snow in all of North America! Pay per run or shred the whole day. It’s all up to you and your level of skill and endurance. This will probably be the most epic stop on your trip.
Day 9. Head South on US 550 towards Durango. Spend a day either snowboarding, snowshoeing, or both at Durango Mountain resort, formerly Purgatory. Stay the night in Durango or on the mountain.
Day 10. Continue South on US 550 to the Junction of US 160. Head East on US 160, through the neat town of Pagosa Springs, onto Wolf Creek Ski Area. This Ski area gets the most snow in the entire state by far. 2-4 ft dumps are not uncommon here. Enjoy the day shredding Powder then enjoy apres ski at the mountain bar. There is an RV area right on the Mountain for camping. Days 11-12. Continue East on US 160 to the junction of US 285. Head North on US 285 to the Junction of US 50. Head West to the town of Buena Vista. You will need 2 days to visit Cottonwood Hot springs, Deerhammer Distillery, and all of the attractions in the Town of Buena Vista.
Days 13-14. Backtrack East on US 50 to US 285. Head North to the junction of CO 9. Take CO 9 North to the town of Breckenridge. Here you will find Great Boarding, Snowshoeing, Tubing and Shopping. Take your pick, or do them all on your last 2 days.
Return. Enter 319 Lookout View Ct into the GPS and arrive at the starting point, hopefully no worse for wear.
