Durango Mountain Resort
August is the prime month for finding delectable mushrooms in the wild, and there are plenty to be found at Durango Mountain Resort! To celebrate mother natures monsoonal phenomenon, Durango Mountain Resort hosts the annual Mushroom Festival to celebrate all things fungi on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014.
Start the day with a guided hike while foraging for edible delights around the backside of the mountain. State-recognized mushroom expert, Chris Ricci, proprietor of Majesty Mushrooms, will educate hikers on which mushrooms are okay to take home and consume. The Guided Mushroom Hunt starts at 9:30 am on Aug. 23 with a short shuttle ride to the backside of Purgatory to hunt for mushrooms. After gathering mushrooms, refuel with a tasty lunch that is included in the cost of the Guided Hunt. Participants will be brought back to the resorts base area around 1:30pm. Cost of the Hunt is $40 per person and includes a guide, shuttle service and lunch. Children 3 and under are free.
New this year, the Mushroom Festival offers a family-friendly atmosphere with more interaction and educational presentations from 3 to 6pm. The festival features seminars by Majesty Mushrooms and San Juan Mycology who will educate participants on how to identify mushrooms, how to grow mushrooms, and more. Two of Durangos top chefs, Executive Chef Sean Clark with El Moro Spirits & Tavern, and Chef Sergio Verduzco with East by Southwest, will conduct cooking demonstrations of mushroom-inspired dishes. Cream Bean Berry will feature a mushroom-infused artisan ice cream for dessert. Festival participants will savor tastings, as well as fine wine and craft beer. Durangos own The Assortment will be playing live music throughout the festival. The cost of the festival is $40 per person. Kids 12 and under receive free admission and will enjoy crafts, games, and kid-friendly food and beverages.
Those wanting to make a full day of it can save by purchasing the combination package for the Hunt and Festival for $70, or $40 for kids 12 to 4 years old. For those attending the afternoon Mushroom Festival, roundtrip shuttle service is available from the town of Durango to Durango Mountain Resort for $20 per person. Shuttles depart Durango High School at 2:30pm, and depart the resort to return to the high school at 6:30pm.
Visit www.DurangoMountainResort.com/mushroom to register for any of the Mushroom Festival activities.
Special lodging packages are available during the Festival weekend. Save 15% on one night slopeside lodging from August 21 through 26. Book lodging reservations by going online www.DurangoMountainResort.com/mushroom, or calling 800-525-0892 and mentioning “Mushroom Festival.”
For more information, visit www.DurangoMountainResort.com/mushroom.
