Durango Mountain Resort

Durango is among the most beautiful places in Colorado to visit. There are National Parks and Monuments nearby and so many things to see and do, you could take weeks exploring the area. The Durango Mountain Resort used to be known as Purgatory, originally named by a farmer in the late 1800’s who adopted that name for a nearby creek, which was a tributary of the Rio de las Anima Perdidas (the River of Lost Souls). That creek was named by Spanish explorers for a group who disappeared on the river during Durango’s early history. The name Purgatory is still used in the Ski village and around the mountain. This beautiful place will make you want to visit again and again.

More Resort Facts

Nearest Town: Durango, Colorado

Base Elevation: 8,793 ft (2,680 m)	Average Snowfall: 260 inches/year
Top Elevation: 10,822 ft (3,299 m)	Snowmaking: 21%

Total Runs: 85
23% Beginner	51% Intermediate	26% Advanced	0% Expert

Terrain Parks: 2

Paradise Freestyle Arena, Pitchfork Terrain Garden, Divine Comedy”The Paradise Freestyle Arena will cure all of your rail-riding, big-air-ills. The Pitchfork Terrain Garden is home to a 260 foot Half Pipe, plenty of rails, bumps, and a medium size jump at the bottom for some serious air. Divine Comedy, know by the locals as DC, is located just above the base of the high speed 6-pack chairlift. This is a great place for the experienced terrain park enthusiast. Also a great place to meet friends and take pictures!”

Total Lifts: 10

1 high-speed six-person chairlift, 1 high-speed quad chair, 4 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, 1 surface lift

Total lift capacity: 15,050 people per hour

2011/2012 Daily adult lift ticket price: $ 65.00 (multi-day discounts are available)

Durango is near the Four Corners junction with New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, elevation 6,512 ft. and is between red sandstone bluffs in the Animas River Valley. The San Juan and Needles Mountains, which rise to an average elevation of more than 10,500 ft. are to the north. Purgatory Mountain, just 25 miles north of Durango, Colorado, is some of the best skiing in Southwest Colorado. Looking over the beauty and colorful vistas is one part of what you’ll enjoy here. We offer two terrain parks, a children’s play park, a NASTAR racing course, 85 trails, and 1,200 acres of legendary terraced terrain. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or snowbiking is all available from beginner to expert levels.

At the heart of Durango Mountain Resort, you’ll find Purgatory Village, which features the majestic views of the San Juan Mountains. Enjoy spending time in a variety of shops and restaurants and have family fun on the climbing wall, bungee tramp or the bouncy castle. There is no better place to “watch the evening alpenglow over the Needles Peaks.”

The Durango Mountain Resort Website offers this welcome to visitors and invites you to explore the new things to come this season in the resort: “When you visit the resort this season you may notice a few changes. Some buildings you may have seen before are gone, and in their place new buildings are taking shape. This is the beginning of a very exciting time at Purgatory Mountain. Our new plans will make your vacation at Durango Mountain Resort even better. The first phase of the new Purgatory Lodge is underway. This beautifully designed facility will feature an exterior surfaced with native river rock and rough hewn pine beams and will include upgraded skier services, new retail and rental outlets, a redesigned Purgy’s restaurant and day lodge and more. Purgatory Village is also receiving a makeover during this time with a newly renovated Village Center, when complete it will feature an ampitheater, a water feature and more. These great changes will allow it to grow into the central gathering place for Purgatory Mountain where we can hold concerts, après ski events, and even wedding ceremonies. Visit this site often to view updates on our progress and watch as the new face of Purgatory takes shape.”
We certainly hope that your vacation plans include the southwest corner of our beautiful state of Colorado – you’ll be glad you did!