November is Silverton's quiet month. The summer trains have gone back to Durango, the first real snow is settling on the peaks, and the town belongs to the people who live here. If you are visiting, or thinking about calling Silverton home, this is one of the best times to see what life at 9,318 feet is really like.
Here are our favorite ways to spend November in and around town.
Walk the historic district without the crowds
With summer visitors gone, it is easy to take your time along Greene Street and historic Blair Street. Look up at the brick storefronts, the false fronts, and the old mining-era buildings that make Silverton a National Historic Landmark District. Many seasonal shops and restaurants shorten their hours or close for a few weeks in November, so call ahead before you plan a meal around a favorite spot.
Celebrate local makers at the Great Furniture Build Off
On Friday, November 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Dera Deli Cafe hosts the judging and celebration for the Great Furniture Build Off. It is a fun way to see what local builders have made and to meet neighbors on a dark autumn evening.
Get out in the first snow
Early snow turns the high country quiet and bright. Depending on conditions, November can be good for a winter walk, a first snowshoe outing, or simply a drive to take in the views. Snow cover changes quickly this time of year, so check conditions before you head out, carry layers, and remember that daylight ends early.
Take a scenic drive, carefully
US 550 north over Red Mountain Pass and south over Coal Bank and Molas Passes is beautiful after a fresh snowfall. It also demands respect in winter. Check road conditions at COtrip.org before you leave, make sure your vehicle has good tires, and give yourself extra time.
Soak in Ouray
About 23 miles north over Red Mountain Pass, the Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a favorite cold-weather outing. Public hours are listed as 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, but it is worth calling 970-325-7073 to confirm winter hours before you drive over.
Watch for the start of ski season
Purgatory Resort, south of town on US 550, is planning to open on November 20, 2026. Silverton Mountain has announced a tentative opening of December 31. Both dates depend on snow and conditions, so check each resort's website before you go.
Share Thanksgiving with the mountains
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year. Whether you host family at home or simply take a long walk after dinner, the quiet of a Silverton holiday weekend is hard to match.
See a home the way it lives in winter
If you are considering a home in Silverton, November is an ideal time to look. You can see how a property handles early snow, how the road is plowed and accessed, where the sun falls on short winter days, and how the home is heated. Those details matter in the high country, and they are much easier to judge in person this time of year.
If you would like to talk through what is available in Silverton, or what to look for in a mountain home before winter sets in, call or text Silverton Realty at (970) 387-8808. We are happy to help, in any season.
