Of the 4 old mining towns of Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City in the area only Telluride has a viable year around economy as it has a major ski area and would is a good summer destination even if Imogene, Ophir, and Black Bear aren't completely open yet. Silverton has a tiny ski area but Lake City and Ouray have none and so the last 2 desparately need the summer tourists to survive and basically close shop during the winters. They need the major passes open asop so the tourists come in big numbers. It is decidedly cool to wheel the passes as they open as you drive thru towering snow on both sides where the dozers have been. You can wheel up to where the bulldozers are working and marvel at the nerve these guys have when it's difficult to determine where the trails are under all the snow and it's a steep drop off where they could roll the dozers.