Featured Image: Christian Ridings, Courtesy of Purgatory Resort
Yes, you read that headline correctly. Southern Colorado’s Purgatory Resort released its operating schedule for the upcoming winter season. Along with announcing the official opening and closing dates and a slew of resort upgrades, the ski area put tickets on sale, with day passes starting at $9.00 on select dates. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s dive into why Purgatory deserves a high-ranking spot on your bucket list this winter.
The resort plans to open on November 16, making it one of only a handful of resorts in North America spinning lifts before Thanksgiving. They will continue daily operations until April 16, when they will then transition to a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule through April 27, conditions permitting.
Purgatory is one of the most underrated resorts in Colorado, with more snow and fewer people than many of the state’s ski areas. Sitting between the towns of Durango and Silverton in the San Juan Mountain Range, they average around 300 inches of snow per year. While southern Colorado is certainly known as a freeride paradise, most of the attention goes toward Wolf Creek Ski Area for its bottomless snow and Silverton Mountain for its steep and deep turns. Often passed up by tourists, Purgatory stands as a destination with a welcoming local atmosphere, fantastic Rocky Mountain pow, incredibly playful terrain and affordable prices.
Winter season passes are on sale as well as daily lift tickets, and when we say affordable we mean it. A young adult season pass (ages 25-29) will run you $849.00 for unlimited skiing at Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl, Utah’s Brian Head Resort, and even seven days at Valle Nevado, Chile. Day ticket prices vary, but you’ll find over 15 days in November and December where a ticket will run you $9.00, with prices not exceeding $89.00. Plus, Purgatory is offering their Power Kids Pass, where kids 12 and under receive a free season pass with no blackout dates. It’s the only pass in North America with a deal like that, showing that Purgatory truly delivers on their promise of family affordability.
In addition to the stellar pass pricing and operating dates, Purgatory announced several upgrades to the mountain that will be up and running this winter. The backside lift, Hermosa Park Express Lift #3, will be modernized with a low-voltage safety control system. This upgrade will ensure the lift’s reliability for years to come, improving access to the ever-popular backside trails. As the only lift transporting riders from the back to the front of the resort, this is a hugely convenient improvement for guests.
The Trail Maintenance crew has been working hard to improve six major glade areas on the mountain, making them more accessible for a variety of abilities, and improving the quality of the runs. They’ve focused on removing deadfall and standing dead trees, which will, “reduce forest fuel loading and enhance skier safety by clearing snags and ground obstacles,” according to the official press release from Purgatory. The resort is also adding four digital pass pick-up stations at the base area. Guests can now pick up their online passes and head right to the lifts, skipping the ticket office and subsequent lines.
Whether you live in Southern Colorado or you’re planning a trip west this winter, Purgatory Resort should be high on your bucket list. It’s hard to find a place that offers what you see here. You’ll get to experience a resort that has some of the most entertaining terrain for a wide variety of abilities, along with affordable prices and a passionate atmosphere.
And if resort riding isn’t your thing, touring in the San Juan Mountains is second to none. If you head to the area and are interested in exploring a few backcountry lines, be sure to check out San Juan Mountain Guides for expert information. It’s just one more reason why we’d recommend this area to everyone from the advanced rider to the family on vacation.
