Things to do / Travel Guide
Even though the Four Corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado converge to form a box, this guide specifically focuses on the southwest corner of Colorado since other ski resorts in the area are located further away from this nexus point. Winters in this area are mild overall but temperatures can fall below freezing temperatures during the nighttime which lends to great snowmaking conditions, manmade or brought on by Mother Nature. Also, because the skies are clear almost year-round, there are plenty of stunning views to behold on the slopes.
Skiing in and around the San Juan Mountain Range
The San Juan Mountains are an extremely steep set of peaks and provides ample textures that the various ski areas take advantage of. Telluride Ski Resort is the only one who has gone corporate in the area, but there are plenty of less crowded and still great ski areas around.
Hesperus Ski Area is a self-described “Mom and Pop” place for skiing which is best for quick trips rather than all inclusive vacations. Their 8,880 foot summit is only made more beautiful with the LaPlata Canyon and Mountains as a backdrop. Beginner boarders and skiers have a separate area of learning and growing terrain designed exclusively for them, making Hesperus a great place for beginners or children. A terrain park, complete with a halfpipe and various features, is sure to keep those on a single board occupied for hours.
Durango Mountain Resort, also known as Purgatory is located only 25 minutes from downtown Durango. It was named after several Spanish travelers in 1776 that disappeared in the area, never to be seen again, and whom the locals believed that as “lost souls”, the travelers would be admitted to Purgatory. Keeping up with this theme, the Durango Mountain Resort likes to gather all of its “lost souls” on their 85 trails and two terrain parks and transport them to the top of the 10,882 foot summit which is blessed with over 260 inches of powder annually.
Silverton Mountain is labeled as an extreme ski area that serves as a heli-skiing and snowboarding or backcountry area, and is only available to riders with advanced reservations. For those not into the adrenaline rush or expense of heli-skiing, make sure to check out Wolf Creek Ski Area located in the Wolf Creek Pass area. With more average snowfall than any other resort in Colorado, Wolf Creek takes those 435+ inches and spreads them over the 11,904 foot summit, 1600 acres and 77 trails! Almost half of the trails are rated at advanced or expert catering to the natural topography of the San Juan Mountains, but there is also a beginner and intermediate section of the mountain to explore.
Durango, Colorado is a logical choice for the home base of winter vacations as it offers easy access to five major ski areas, in Colorado itself or the rest of the Four Corners area. Drive 35 miles west into Mesa Verde National Park and find miles of cross-country and backcountry trails with rustic camping features. Or stay in town and enjoy the Mexican and Southwestern architecture that pay homage to Durango, Mexico after which the Colorado town has been named. There are over thirty hotels, dude ranches, guest ranches and B&Bs. Upscale or economy, historic or modern, Durango knows how to treat its visitors right. Stay at the Doubletree Hotel and don't forget to ask for their specialty cookies, or ride on over to the Wits End Gust Ranch for the classic dude ranch experience, complete with a spa onsite to relax those muscles. With almost as many restaurants in downtown Durango as some of the biggest restaurant capitals of the States, it's almost unfair to the taste buds to have to choose. There's authentic Mexican, fresh sushi, steakhouses and chuckwagon's—and that's only the beginning!
Easy access to four states which contain many skiing and snowboarding opportunities, the Four Corners area is a terrific choice, especially for those indecisive of where to go with so many options. Stunning views, plenty of trails and snow annually – that's what the Four Corners are all about and they're not ashamed of it!
Ski Resorts in Durango and Four Corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado
Skiing
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