Terrain:
The terrain at Purgatory was quite different from most resorts. There are huge rollers, which made for big hills and lots of flat areas in between. This can make it harder for a beginner snowboarder to ride around Purgatory, because you can get stuck on the flatter areas. If you do not mind some rollers, the terrain seems just like a fun roller coaster ride. Although due to these rollers, most of the terrain is not great for beginners. Purgatory makes up for this by having an entire section below the main base just for beginners. This is perfect because having an area just for beginners helps people learn faster and stay away from some of the crowds.
Purgatory does have a small park with some rails and some M sized jumps for those who enjoy a few park laps during the day. At the end of the season Purgatory makes their park a lot bigger with L features, hence some park rats wil flock there during this time. For the more advanced skiers and boarders, there are a few double blacks and some regular blacks off of Legends Express Lift (Lift 8). There are some awesome out of bounds runs looker’s lefts of lift 6 and 1; Monkey Brains, Monkey Gully and the Monkey Launch Chutes, for advanced skiers only. There is a shuttle that will pick you up from these runs and take you back to the resort. Remember if you want to do out of bounds runs, please bring the proper safety equipment and a friend.
My favorite of the inbounds advanced terrain was the McCormack’s Maze. This area is a lovely open glade. It says these runs are double blacks but because the trees are so open these runs are closer to a regular black. These were by far some of my favorite runs on the mountain because I rarely saw others here. I had the entire area to myself and was able to find fresh tracks each run.
Base Elevation – 8,793 ft
Peak Elevation – 10,822
Number of Lifts – 12
Number of Trails – 105
Total Terrain – 1,650 acres
Easiest Terrain (Greens) – 20%
More Difficult Terrain (Blues) – 45%
Most Difficult/Expert Terrain (Blacks/Double Blacks) – 35%
Resort Hours – 9am-4pm Daily
Atmosphere and Locals:
I was transported back into the 80s. Given that I wasn’t alive during the 80s, I can only imagine it was close to skiing at Purgatory. The buildings looked like old cabins instead of modern resorts. Many people were wearing the same ski gear they’re been wearing since they started skiing. This is why I would consider Purgatory one of the last true Colorado ski resorts.
While at Purgatory, I had a hard time not talking to the locals. I had great conversations on every lift ride throughout the day. Now this could be due to the amount of stoke from the snow Purgatory had received when I visited, but generally the locals were thrilled to tell you why they made Purgatory their home mountain. It was hard to leave and I couldn’t help thinking about the next time I would come back.
Students from the local college, Fort Lewis, usually make Purgatory their most frequented resort while in school. The other locals I talked to didn’t grow up in Durango, but after skiing there a few times they decided to make Purgatory their permanent home ski resort.
Accessibility and Parking:
There is free parking at and near the base with a free shuttle that runs from the parking lots to the base area. The San Juan mountain range that Purgatory lies in, can get huge storms, which can make HWY 550 less safe. Make sure to have the proper safety measures in your car. Not only does the proper winter car equipment help you stay safe on the road but in case you’re enjoying a great powder day at Purgatory, getting out of the parking lot could be a challenge as well. Nothing will ruin a powder day more than having to get towed out of the parking lot.
Pricing: $$
Purgatory has some restaurants and cafeterias throughout the mountain with the classic ski food you would expect from every resort. There is also a nice outside bar by the main base of the resort, which seems like a great place to hangout and grab a few drinks after skiing on a warm spring day.
Lift Tickets –
Adult: $109 (Full day), $79 (Late Arrival), $45 (Late Late Arrival)
Senior(65-79): $75 (Full day), $53 (Late Arrival), $45 (Late Late Arrival)
Children: $75 (Full day), $53 (Late Arrival), $45 (Late Late Arrival)
Super Senior (80+)/Child (10 and younger): Free
Associated Season Passes – Power Pass
Lessons –
Private Lesson $255 (2 Hours), $375 (3 Hours), $555 (5 Hours)
Family/Friend Private $290 (2 Hours), $445 (3 Hours), $650 (5 Hours)
Adult/Teen Group $69 (2 Hours), $69 (3 Hours), $95 (5 Hours)
Kids Group $69 (Morning Half Day), $69 (Afternoon Half Day), $95 (Full Day)
Rentals –
Basic Ski $35
Performance Ski $40
Child Ski (4-12) $25
Adult Learn to Ride Board $36
Adult Cruzer Board $40
Adult Performance Board $45
Child Board $25
For more information visit https://www.purgatoryresort.com/
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