Durango, Colorado
Durango Mountain Resort and Purgatory Mountain
Durango Mountain Resort, known by locals as "Purgatory Ski Area ", is a year-round resort nestled in the southwest San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Durango Mountain Resort's unique location places the ski resort squarely in the middle of two weather systems with a reputation for producing big snow followed by bluebird days. With unsurpassed views of the Needle Mountain Range & the San Juans, Durango Mountain Resort offers a rare combination of natural beauty and fantastic terrain. Whether you like to ski freshly groomed corduroy, lap up the fresh powder, or rip through the trees, “Purgatory” offers it all.
Purgatory Mountain came into its modern day name in 1776 when Spanish explorers were traveling on the nearby Animas River. Some of their party was lost, and their bodies were never found. The other travelers believed the souls of the lost men would be relegated to Purgatory, and from this legend was born the designation, Purgatory Mountain. Following this legendary expedition, the river was named “El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio” or the River of Lost Souls in Purgatory (now the Animas River). The ski area originally opened as Purgatory Resort in 1965, and is now operated as the year-round Durango Mountain Resort.
Located just 30 minutes north of the western town of Durango, DMR is the perfect year-round basecamp for all your southwest Colorado activities.
Website: http://www.durangomountainresort.com/
Phone Number: 1.800.982.6103 or 970.247.9000
Address: 1 Skier Pl, Durango, CO 81301
Dates of Season: 11/28/14 - 3/30/15*weather dependent
FACTS:
Trails & Terrain:
Skiable Area: 1,200 acres (486 hectares)
Number of Lifts: 9 lifts
Uphill Lift Capacity 15,050/hour
Types of Lifts: 1 High Speed Six Person
1 High Speed Quad
4 Triple Chairlifts
3 Double Chairlifts
1 Magic Carpet
Number of Trails: 85 Trails
Trail Ratings: 23% Beginner
51% Intermediate
26% Advanced/Expert
Terrain Parks: 2-Paradise Freestyle Arena
Pitchfork Terrain Garden
Snowfall & Temperatures:
Annual Snowfall: 260” (660cm)
Snowmaking: 21%/250 Acres
Elevation:
Base Elevation: 8,793’ (2,680m)
Summit Elevation: 10,822’ (3,299m)
Vertical Drop: 2,029’ (618m)
HOW TO GET THERE:
BY AIR - Purgatory is easy to get to, but hard to leave after all the fun you’ll experience. We're here to help make your vacation as easy as possible.
Get to DMR fast with flights directly to Durango (DRO) from major airline hubs in Denver (DIA) and Phoenix (PHX). Frontier Airlines, United and US Airways all have daily service to Durango. For best rates, call our reservations desk at 800.525.0892 and we can generate great package deals including airfare, lodging, lift tickets and other activities.
BY PRIVATE AIRCRAFT
Luxury hangaring for private aircraft is available at Animas Airpark. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates are offered.
Driving - Durango Mountain Resort is one of the few Colorado ski resorts where our visitors from the south don’t have to cross any major mountain passes.
Driving time and mileage from:
Albuquerque, NM 138 miles, approximately 3.5 hours
Phoenix, AZ 454 miles, approximately 7.5 hours
Dallas, TX 855 miles, approximately 13.7 hours
Austin, TX 906 miles, approximately 14.5 hours