"Welcome to Purgatory" isn't exactly the greeting you want to hear minutes before descending down a steep, icy slope. That is, unless of course, you are at Durango Mountain Resort in Southwest Colorado, about to ski your first run down the resorts famous Purgatory Mountain. The picturesque, rather charming little mountain village resort is nestled amid the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, just 25 miles north of the city of Durango – an area known for some of the best winter weather in the country. The main alpine village – yes, also called Purgatory – hosts plenty of great shops, restaurants and entertainment options (can you say, casino gambling?) for all price ranges and interests. And don't be surprised if you see guests lazing out on beach chairs on the deck – just because it's a ski vacation doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of that famous Colorado sunshine.
Fittingly, the front side of Purgatory mountain features runs named after (or inspired) by Dante's Divine Comedy, including Pandemonium, Paradise, Catharsis, Demon and Divinity. Lower Hades and Styx, also on the front side, are premier mogul runs and beginner terrain is located in the more gentle, forested area surrounding Twilight Chairlift. On Purgatory's back is a fantastic mix of well-groomed cruisers and Durango's signature runs: Dead Spike, Peace, and Sally's Run. For big bumps try Elliott's, Wapiti, or Bull Run. For glades give Paul's Park a go. The mountain also has two terrain parks that will have snowboarders telling you … well, to go to purgatory. For intermediate to expert riders, Paradise Freestyle Park has 5 hits, 6 rails and plenty of drops. Pitchfork Terrain Park is great for beginners all the way to expert riders, and is the new location of the 400 foot half-pipe. It also has multiple rails, a fun box, table tops, a large kicker and gaps. There is also a children's play park with an Old West theme.
11 lifts including 2 surface lifts and 9 chair lifts.
$$$ (Expensive)75 runs - 23% beginner, 56% intermediate, 21% expert. Longest run is 10,560 feet.
16 km of Cross Country trails.
Mountain Statistics: 2,029 feet vertical drop, 10,822 feet summit elevation, 1,200 acres, average annual accumulation 260 inches.
Durango Mountain Resort offers a complete Rocky Mountain winter vacation, perfect for families and groups, experts, intermediates and beginners alike because of our spectacular location, world class ski and snowboard terrain on Purgatory Mountain, slopeside lodging, and multitude of activities including tubing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowcat trips, kids programs, nordic skiing, and snowshoeing -- plus the genuine Colorado town of Durango.