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Find Never-ending Powder On This Colorado Road Trip

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UPDATED: Don't miss our profile of Wolf Creek Ski Area, the first ski stop on this road trip and our look at San Juan Untracked, the second leg of this powder adventure. Finally, here are the top ten reasons you need to ski Telluride, ASAP.

Colorado has been having an awesome snow season this winter (video proof here), so there's still time to pull off an epic road trip full of jaw-dropping scenery, hot springs, and more fresh tracks than you can imagine. The destination? Southwest Colorado and the San Juan Mountains. In a multi-part series of articles, Curbed Ski is bringing you the details on where to ski, where to crash, and where to fuel up after a sweet day on the slopes. Highlights include a local ski area that gets more snow than any other Colorado ski resort, the best cat-skiing you've ever skied, and a few in-bounds lines that require a hefty amount of courage. First up? Our map outlining the ultimate powder road trip.

The map below highlights the ultimate powder road trip with stops in Wolf Creek, cat skiing with San Juan Untracked, and skiing in Silverton and Telluride. Check back this week for features on each of these mountains and more details.


That's it! You've done it: the ultimate powder trip. Which mountain was your favorite?

· Ski Road Trip [Curbed Ski]

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Wolf Creek Ski Area

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Wolf Creek scores the most snowfall in Colorado with an average of 465 inches each year. No crowds and a laid back vibe make this the perfect place to start your powder road trip. PS: If you're smooth about it, you can also camp out in one of the lower parking lots.

The Springs Resort & Spa

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After catching pow turns at Wolf Creek, head to The Springs Resort to soak those legs. With 23 pools situated on the banks of the San Juan River, this place isn't cheap but it's worth the cash. If it's crowded, pay the extra money for the 5 VIP adult pools, but if there aren't many people, the $24.50 per person "Bronze" package includes 18 pools and is a good value. Pool temps range from 83 degrees to a whopping 114 degrees, so there's something for everyone.

Zia Taqueria

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After indulging in the steamy hot springs, drive to Durango for dinner at Zia Taqueria. With two locations (a north and a south) in town, Zia is a tastier and more flavorful version of Chipotle. We love the barbacoa and the pulled pork "Burrotes" (burritos packed with meat, veggies, and lots of toppings).

Strater Hotel

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Belly full of burritos, crash in Durango at the Strater Hotel, the town's most historic lodging built in 1887. A central location downtown and solid review history make this spot a good choice to catch some zzzzzzs. You'll need it, because next up is cat skiing!

San Juan Untracked

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Leave town early and head to the base of Durango Mountain Resort for an 8:00 am meet-up with San Juan Untracked. With over 35,000 acres of skiable terrain, San Juan Untracked is the largest operation in the US and the best cat-skiing Curbed Ski has done in a long time. Expect fun trees, deep snow, and expert guides. This is skiing at its best. Photo by Jason Barber

Montanya Distillers

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Okay- you've had an epic day cat skiing and now you are ready for some drinks. Head to Montanya Distillers in Silverton, the best watering hole in this small mining town. Kick back a few of their distinctive rum cocktails, but beware they pack a punch. Keep drinking water because you're headed to another powder mecca: Silverton Mountain. Photo by Jason Barber.

Silverton Mountain

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Opened in 2002, Silverton mountain is the best mountain you've never skied. Big steeps, lots of untracked powder, and a community of skiers who ski for the love of snow. The pace is slower at this one-lift ski area, but that's part of the charm. Bring your avalanche gear and your lungs, as some of the best runs require a bit of a hike. Photo by Jason Barber.

Ouray Hot Springs

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After fresh turns (and hikes!) at Silverton and the gnarly drive over Red Mountain Pass, take a break at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Although not creekside, this spot has striking views of the surrounding mountains and daily rates are only $12 for adults. Score!

Lumiere Hotel

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Finish the drive into Telluride and check into the Lumiere, the best boutique hotel in town. Located in the Mountain Village, this ski-in/ski-out property is intimate and provides easy access to downtown via gondola. After roughing it in Silverton, you'll love the pool, hot tub, and ski valet.

Alright, you've made it to Telluride and this vacation can't get much better, right? Actually it can. Grab a reservation downtown at Siam, a Thai joint that is always hopping and always delicious. Order a bottle of unfiltered sake and try as many hand rolls as you can handle. Other favorites include the Choo Chi Ahi and the Thai short ribs. If your legs are too sore to make it down the hill to town, check out their sister restaurant, Siam's Talay Grille, in Mountain Village. Image from Unofficial Networks.

Telluride Ski Resort

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At the Lumiere Hotel, you can sleep in and still catch first chair which is great because today's your day to ski Telluride Ski Resort. Telluride has a little bit of everything, but the powder and hike-to terrain here is out of this world. It also might be the most beautiful ski area in the world, with gorgeous mountain views in every direction. Get after it! Photo by Jason Barber.

Giuseppe's

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Giuseppe's is a tiny (but tasty!) spot on-mountain dining spot that serves up a New Orleans themed menu. Epic views, a convenient location at the top of the Plunge Lift (#9), and good prices make this a local's favorite. Try the Muffalettas or the Po Boy sandwich.

Wolf Creek Ski Area

Wolf Creek scores the most snowfall in Colorado with an average of 465 inches each year. No crowds and a laid back vibe make this the perfect place to start your powder road trip. PS: If you're smooth about it, you can also camp out in one of the lower parking lots.

The Springs Resort & Spa

After catching pow turns at Wolf Creek, head to The Springs Resort to soak those legs. With 23 pools situated on the banks of the San Juan River, this place isn't cheap but it's worth the cash. If it's crowded, pay the extra money for the 5 VIP adult pools, but if there aren't many people, the $24.50 per person "Bronze" package includes 18 pools and is a good value. Pool temps range from 83 degrees to a whopping 114 degrees, so there's something for everyone.

Zia Taqueria

After indulging in the steamy hot springs, drive to Durango for dinner at Zia Taqueria. With two locations (a north and a south) in town, Zia is a tastier and more flavorful version of Chipotle. We love the barbacoa and the pulled pork "Burrotes" (burritos packed with meat, veggies, and lots of toppings).

Strater Hotel

Belly full of burritos, crash in Durango at the Strater Hotel, the town's most historic lodging built in 1887. A central location downtown and solid review history make this spot a good choice to catch some zzzzzzs. You'll need it, because next up is cat skiing!

San Juan Untracked

Leave town early and head to the base of Durango Mountain Resort for an 8:00 am meet-up with San Juan Untracked. With over 35,000 acres of skiable terrain, San Juan Untracked is the largest operation in the US and the best cat-skiing Curbed Ski has done in a long time. Expect fun trees, deep snow, and expert guides. This is skiing at its best. Photo by Jason Barber

Montanya Distillers

Okay- you've had an epic day cat skiing and now you are ready for some drinks. Head to Montanya Distillers in Silverton, the best watering hole in this small mining town. Kick back a few of their distinctive rum cocktails, but beware they pack a punch. Keep drinking water because you're headed to another powder mecca: Silverton Mountain. Photo by Jason Barber.

Silverton Mountain

Opened in 2002, Silverton mountain is the best mountain you've never skied. Big steeps, lots of untracked powder, and a community of skiers who ski for the love of snow. The pace is slower at this one-lift ski area, but that's part of the charm. Bring your avalanche gear and your lungs, as some of the best runs require a bit of a hike. Photo by Jason Barber.

Ouray Hot Springs

After fresh turns (and hikes!) at Silverton and the gnarly drive over Red Mountain Pass, take a break at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Although not creekside, this spot has striking views of the surrounding mountains and daily rates are only $12 for adults. Score!

Lumiere Hotel

Finish the drive into Telluride and check into the Lumiere, the best boutique hotel in town. Located in the Mountain Village, this ski-in/ski-out property is intimate and provides easy access to downtown via gondola. After roughing it in Silverton, you'll love the pool, hot tub, and ski valet.

Siam

Alright, you've made it to Telluride and this vacation can't get much better, right? Actually it can. Grab a reservation downtown at Siam, a Thai joint that is always hopping and always delicious. Order a bottle of unfiltered sake and try as many hand rolls as you can handle. Other favorites include the Choo Chi Ahi and the Thai short ribs. If your legs are too sore to make it down the hill to town, check out their sister restaurant, Siam's Talay Grille, in Mountain Village. Image from Unofficial Networks.

Telluride Ski Resort

At the Lumiere Hotel, you can sleep in and still catch first chair which is great because today's your day to ski Telluride Ski Resort. Telluride has a little bit of everything, but the powder and hike-to terrain here is out of this world. It also might be the most beautiful ski area in the world, with gorgeous mountain views in every direction. Get after it! Photo by Jason Barber.

Giuseppe's

Giuseppe's is a tiny (but tasty!) spot on-mountain dining spot that serves up a New Orleans themed menu. Epic views, a convenient location at the top of the Plunge Lift (#9), and good prices make this a local's favorite. Try the Muffalettas or the Po Boy sandwich.