WINTER STATS
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 10,822 ft / 3,299 m
BASE ELEVATION: 8,793 ft / 2,680 m
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 am-4:00 pm
SKIABLE AREA: 1,605 acres / 650 hectares
TERRAIN PARKS: 4
Annual Snowfall: 260 in / 660 cm
Colorado is known for its high plains, forests, vivid landscape of mountains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and desert lands. This Mountain is a part of the western and southwestern United States.
The San Juan Mountains in Colorado are home to some of the southwest’s most consistent and abundant snow. Purgatory Ski Resort situated in this region features 1,605 acres of skiable terrain, 101 trails, 13 lifts, four terrain parks, and a vertical drop of over 2,000 feet. This resort is a winter paradise perfect for families looking for an excellent vacation spot in Colorado.
After a 30-minute drive from the heart of downtown Durango, visitors will see the unmatched scenery at Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado. The annual snowfall in the resort averages 260 inches that blankets the Mountain thoroughly, ensuring that visitors can enjoy at any time of the year. The resort offers nothing but pure satisfaction and admiration.
Purgatory Resort was established in 1965 and named by TripAdvisor as Best Value Ski Resort in North America, and Outside magazine considers it as one of America’s Best Small Towns.
The resort features multiple terrain parks, over 1605 skiable acres, 88 trails, and 12 lifts, including one six-person and one high-speed quad lift. Besides the average annual snowfall it receives, artificial snow is produced on approximately one-fifth of the Mountain.
ACTIVITIES
Purgatory Resort offers various winter, summer, and spring activities to all sorts of guests. It also comprises shopping centers, more restaurants than San Francisco and provides great value for ski vacations and getaways at any time of the year.
WINTER SPORTS AT PURGATORY RESORT
SKIING. Featuring more than 1,600 skiable acres, multiple terrain parks, and Colorado’s largest snowcat skiing operation, Purgatory has something to offer every skier – beginners, intermediates, to experts.
The resort has three main areas.
- Above the Columbine base area: This is where most of the beginners’ runs and the tubing hill are found.
- Up from the Purgatory Village base area: The front side with various runs for different skiing abilities/levels.
- The backside features blue, black, and double black runs.
TUBING. There are tubes for rent that you can use as you fly down on snow-covered tubing lanes. This is absolutely fun for the whole family! Even young kids can participate in this activity.
DOG SLEDDING with the Durango Dog Ranch is also a family or group adventure like no other.
SLEIGH RIDES is another fun ride that you can enjoy while taking some photos of the picturesque Colorado backcountry. There are warm blankets provided to ease the coldness, and you can be cozy while savoring the magical views.
SNOWSHOE TOURS: Join any tours that offer snowshoeing to explore Colorado’s backcountry from a new perspective. Through this, you can learn about wildlife, geology, and flora and fauna of the region.
SNOWCAT SKIING: San Juan’s white powdered terrain offers pure fun and welcomes everyone to ski and experience a more expansive view of the terrain.
PURGATORY NORDIC CENTER offers a backcountry experience between the scenic picnic spots along the trails and the perfectly groomed cross-country and skate skiing routes. Surely will give you a memorable time.
PURGATORY RESORT LIFTS
No hassle in waiting in line for a lift in the resort as it offers great lift service, including an express 6-pack chair lift servicing the main front face and a detachable quad on the backside. Lift 1 offers a scenic chairlift round-trip ride or hop-off at the top for visitors to enjoy the San Juan Mountains’ breathtaking views.
The chair lifts have names and numbers used interchangeably, so occasionally, orientation gets confusing.
Check purgatoryresort.com for some updates and essential information about the resort, including lodging, activities, lift tickets, shopping, restaurants, events, weddings, family reunions, and group trips.
Many lodges offer all the amenities a skier wants, including restaurants, shops, pool, spa, fitness center, private lounge, game room, and concierge.
LIFT TICKETS
Although lift passes aren’t the cheapest in Colorado, they are significantly more economical than the big commercial ski resorts in America. Tickets are family-friendly; that is why the resort is mostly a favorite spot of tourists and locals that come to spend a family vacation.
With its unmatched scenery, terrain for all abilities, and vibrant, historic downtown, Purgatory is your number one source for what to do in Durango, Colorado.