In absolutely every season of the year, Durango, Colorado is a vacation destination that provides travelers with access to the one-of-a-kind experiences they’re looking to enjoy. In the summertime, Durango is a place for incredible hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife watching in abundance. Cooler weather in the shoulder seasons lends itself well here to leaf peeping, patio dining at local restaurants, and shopping and gallery hopping too. Then, of course, there are the world-class ski slopes that open up each Durango, CO winter. When the fresh powder falls, this is the place downhill enthusiasts look for thrills that are truly unsurpassed will certainly want to find themselves.
Packing Up and Heading to Purgatory Resort
Whether skiing is an activity you’ve added to your calendar every single winter for as long as you can remember, or you’re entirely new to the experience and looking to learn for the first time, setting your sights on time at Purgatory Resort near Durango is a must. Formerly known as Durango Mountain Resort, Purgatory Resort is a top-rated destination where skiers can relish amazing surroundings in the wintertime, as well as access to a diverse lineup of trails and runs to explore.
When you make Purgatory Resort your final ski stop in the area during your wintertime getaway, you’ll find that you can treat yourself to more than 1,600 acres of skiable terrain conveniently located just 10 minutes north of Glacier. In total, skiing in Durango comes with access to 105 trails as well as dedicated areas for snowboarding when you’re looking to mix up the outdoor adventures. While there’s always a lot to see, do, and discover at Purgatory Resort, customizing your time on the slopes to fit your skill level is a sure way to make your time here more meaningful, fun, and memorable too. The following guide is a great place to start when you’re ready to tailor your ski-focused fun in Durango according to your beginner, intermediate, or advanced skillset.
Make It a Beginner-Inspired Ski Experience to Remember at Purgatory Resort with a Lesson
Before you make plans to hit the slopes in style, beginner-level skiers will want to be sure they’ve booked a lesson or two at Purgatory Resort during their visit. Doing so is certainly worth your while when you want to take some quality time to master the basics before heading out and seeing how it all works on the bunny hills or beginner-level runs.
Beginner-Level Slopes to Check Out When You’re Looking to Master the Basics
Building confidence is key to success when it comes to falling in love with the sport of skiing long-term. Beginner-level skiers heading to Purgatory Resort this winter will be thrilled to find that there’s a vast array of options across the resort’s varied terrain set aside specifically for this type of training purpose. If you’re new to skiing in Durango and excited to practice what you’ve learned here, you’re sure to appreciate Purgatory Resort’s low-pressure lift zones, gentle-progression terrain, and wide trails that are consistently covered in soft and inviting fresh powder.
Once you have your balance in place and you’re comfortable with your gear, we recommend heading over to the Columbine Beginner Area first. This is a great place to begin your adventures on the slopes because it’s situated right by the base village and is set up specifically for learning. There’s a magic carpet that runs through the Columbine Beginner Area that serves the green runs here, and the wide open design of the space makes it great for everything from getting comfortable with the process of getting on and off the Columbine or Graduate lifts to perfecting your turns on the snow.
When you’re feeling comfortable with navigating the Columbine Beginner Area at Purgatory Resort, it’s time to take your place on the Twilight Lift and enjoy access to green trails that lead directly back to the base village point. You’ll quickly discover that in addition to gorgeous views, these easy and inviting runs are set up to gently wind their way down the mountain, giving beginners an opportunity to take it all in at their own comfortable pace. From here, you have options to expand your skiing horizons on some of the top beginner runs that the resort hosts. While Sissy’s is loved for its mellow slopes, Graduate is highly recommended if you’re dedicated to working on your turns. Easy Money is a must-try for beginners as well and Mercy is worth adding to your lineup from chair #6 when you’re ready to cruise downhill at a slightly faster pace.
Enjoy a Variety of Intermediate Runs
If you consider yourself an intermediate-level skier, Purgatory Resort has thrilling runs just for you, too. These trails are typically marked blue and are often defined by tree-lined designs and diverse terrain to explore.
When you’re looking for a more moderate cruising experience on the slopes, the intermediate run known as Boogie off lift #3 is highly recommended for its fun turns and small, yet thrilling rollers! You’ll also want to check out Legends, which is suitable for skiers and snowboarders alike and easily accessible from chairs #3 and #5. If you’re looking for that ideal mix of ease and challenge at an intermediate level, time on Dead Spike off chair #5 is sure to inspire.
For the intermediate skier who is looking for something a bit steeper, time on Sally’s Run is sure to satisfy, while Paradise offers up a longer run to enjoy when you’re looking to hone your speed control skills. Over at Ray’s Ridge, intermediate-level skiers at Purgatory Resort will find they can enjoy time soaking up sweeping views while making the most of the gentle pitch.
In the event you find yourself looking to elevate the challenge a bit further, you might consider making your way to Divinity, which is a much more winding trail to explore, while destinations like Upper Pandemonium provide intermediate skiers with a blue-black hybrid run complete with tree island and moguls to navigate.
Purgatory Resort Is a True Adventure for Advanced Skiers
Purgatory Resort near Durango is the ideal place to land when you’re an advanced skier looking for the next unforgettable challenge on the slopes. Those who are seasoned in this wintertime sport will love that nearly 43% of the trails here are dedicated specifically to expert skiers excited to put their skills to work on the fresh powder. Whether you’re on the hunt for heart-pounding black runs or breathtaking double black trails, you’ll find the collection of tight tree lines, powder stashes, and steep pitches you’ve been dreaming of with absolutely no problem.
For those expert skiers searching for impressive pitch, we recommend starting out on the double black run known as El Diablo. Afterward, you can make your way to Lower Hades, which has earned its name from the tight trees that adorn the challenging route. Make time on your daily ski itinerary for Catharsis when you’re hoping to take on technical turns with precision, and pair that with gorgeous views too, while a run on Steep Styx is a must for skiers excited to take on a narrow chute with moguls. Inferno Ridge will inevitably call to those advanced skiers searching for an idyllic mix of deep snow, cliffsides, and chutes, while the Black Forest Glades gives you inviting room to play thanks to the more spaced-out trees and exciting hidden lines to maneuver your way through.
Options for Expert-Level Skiing Further Outside of Durango
Upon arrival, it’s easy to see why Purgatory Resort successfully charms so many skiers of all skill levels who head this way in the name of winter fun and adventure. In fact, Purgatory Resort has a wonderful habit of effectively turning first-time visitors into return guests year after year! That said, when you’re looking to expand your options for expert-level ski-focused fun during your stay in Colorado, you can certainly include other stops on your itinerary too, if you’re up for a bit of a drive.
Places like Silverton Mountain can be accessed in just about an hour and 20 minutes from Durango, following US-550 North for 54.3 miles. This is a prime place to find yourself if you’re an advanced-level skier who doesn’t require groomed runs. Here, you can count on a thrilling backcountry experience that’s both raw and challenging, and when you’re planning your visit, you’ll want to keep in mind that avalanche gear is mandatory for your excursions. It’s the unique access to untouched wilderness that draws many advanced-level skiers this way, while opportunities to enjoy deep powder and steep chutes are often hard to pass up as well.
Ski Tips for Every Level
No matter how long you’ve been skiing, when you head to Durango, CO this winter, excited to hit the slopes, there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind that will make your experience more successful and memorable.
Beginners checking out the ski slopes at Purgatory Resort for the first time will want to be sure to show up early in the day to give themselves plenty of time to get familiar with the practice zone layouts. Showing up as early as possible also means you can effectively enjoy quality time, taking lessons at a more leisurely pace. To that end, don’t forget to book your lesson well in advance of your arrival to ensure availability, and those looking to make the most of a budget-friendly day on the slopes will be delighted to find that those 12 and under ski free here.
If you’re an intermediate-level skier spending time on the slopes of Purgatory Resort, booking your place on a private mountain tour with a local guide is a great way to mix and match difficult levels of runs. It’s also a terrific route to accessing some more off-the-beaten-path trails while you’re here and hoping to hone your skills.
Advanced skiers taking to the slopes of Purgatory Resort will want to make sure to utilize the special Powder Alert System in place for keeping track of freshly covered trails to explore. It’s also worth your while to book an off-piste terrain experience with a local guide when you’re excited to take your expert skills to the next level of excellence alongside a backcountry professional.
Book Your Durango, CO Winter Getaway in Style Today
When nothing sounds more refreshing, revitalizing, or endlessly fun than a ski-focused journey to Durango this winter, the team at Durango Colorado Vacations is ready and waiting to help you find an exceptionally wonderful property to book right near the slopes! Our winter Durango homes for rent are ideal for solo travelers, small groups, and large groups alike looking to make the most of access to the mountains and the fresh powder that leads the way to downhill thrills. Knowing that when you return from a day of skiing, you can easily settle into elevated standards of luxury, comfort, and style can make all the difference in your guest experience, and at Durango Colorado Vacations, that’s exactly what we offer our guests.
Reach out to our dedicated team of hospitality experts today to learn more about our exciting lineup of property options available and how we can make your next ski adventure to Durango absolutely unforgettable. We can’t wait to see you in Colorado soon!
