About Purgatory
Purgatory is a family-friendly ski resort that is perfect for someone who craves dry, light powder, few crowds and a down-to-earth atmosphere. Fantastic snow conditions, sleigh-rides, snowmobile tours and miles of cross-country wilderness surround "Purg" and nearby Durango. Terrain park enthusiasts can enjoy the Paradise Terrain Park, which features a 400-foot halfpipe, jumps, rails and drops and Pitchfork Terrain Park featuring rails, tabletops, gaps and big air jumps.
Those looking to get on the slopes for the first time will be welcomed by a world-class ski school and plenty of beginner terrain. If getting off-the-beaten-path appeals to the adventurer in you, consider a vacation to Durango, Colorado and nearby Purgatory Mountain Resort. Besides the mountain, Durango, Colorado is a 4-season mountain destination for mountain bikers, climbers, and hikers as well.
Skiing Purgatory
Durango ski resort enjoys the most reliable ski conditions in the southern Rockies, more than 38 miles of groomed skiing, and great ski weather. You'll delight in the Kids Ski Free Program, kids 6 and under, as well as half-price beginner lessons for all first-time skiers or snowboarders age 13 or older.
Durango Mountain Resort’s ski mountain spans 2,500 acres, is served by nine chairlifts, including the new Hermosa Park Express high-speed quad lift, and the snow will be terrific everywhere. Ski Durango to see that the mountain receives an average of 20 feet of powder each season and, in addition, there is an extended snowmaking system that covers nearly 80% of the ski terrain. The chances are phenomenal that the conditions will be great at Durango. There are runs for every level of skier plus over 25% black diamond terrain for the intrepid. One more unique feature of Durango Mountain Resort: Total Ticket (TM) which allows you to exchange a day of skiing for your choice of seven different vacation activities.
Great Family Resort
We went to Durango Mountain Resort over spring break. Despite the fact that all of Texas seemed to be there, it did not seem overcrowded on the mountain or at the base restraunts. The mountain is very nice for all level skiers and has a good many green and blue runs for families to enjoy together.My oldest daughter has Down syndrome and we were able to enroll her in the Adaptive Ski Program where she had a terrific experience and greatly improved in her skiing ability. Our youngest took 2 days of group lessons which were my only complaint as she had 14-15 kids in her group each day!! About the only thing she learned well in those two days was to stop since everyone had to stop every time someone in the group fell. She is an excellent stopper, so were were able to take her to the top of the mountain with us on day 3 skiing green and blues.Durango is a little lower altitude than many of the CO resorts so we felt the effects of altitude less. The snow conditions were not as good as a higher altitude resort, but it's hard to complain when there were no bare spots showing and you are skiing in 40+ sunny degrees!
Ski and Steam
I don't know how I managed to pick the perfect week for this trip when I booked it months ahead of time. We got 30 inches of snow the first 3 days, blue bird skies the next 2, then another 6 inches. We stayed at the Purgatory Village Condo/Hotel (a 1 BR unit) which was just steps to the lifts. The hot tub on the roof offered awesome views of the San Juan mountains. There were no crowds on the slopes even on the Friday before President's Day. We took a ski clinic for $50 each which turned out to be a great value because we were the only 2 in the group. \n\nThe only reason not to recommend it to "young singles" is because there is no nightlife on the mountain and only a little in downtown Durango.\n\nMid-week (on a clear day) we took a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. That was spectacular! We have been several times in the summer, but never in the snow. The air was crisp and the steam was much more impressive in the cold. The scenery seems accentuated by the snow. \n\nWhen we went out to dinner we enjoyed Ken and Sue's in the Durango historic district and the Sow's Ear in the Needles community just a mile south of DMR.\n\nAll in all, a great trip! Many thanks to Hugh Hoy of ski.com for helping me.
