Photo credit: Sven Brunso, Durango Mountain Resort
With more than five feet of snow already falling this season, including 30 inches last weekend, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is kicking off its winter season today, Friday, November 29 and will be open 9am to 4pm through Sunday, December 1.
This weekend, Purgatory will offer top-to-bottom skiing and riding on the front side, with Lift 1 and Lift 2 operating and the Pitchfork Terrain Park open. All front side terrain will be open, with the exception of Ambassadors Glade.
Discounted lift tickets are available Friday through Sunday. Prices are $55 adults; $43 young adults (13-17 yrs); $47 seniors (65-79); $33 kids (6-12 yrs); and $21 super seniors (80+). Purgatory season passes, including weekday passes will be honored Friday through Sunday for the next two weeks.
These are some of the best opening conditions I can remember, and our signature steeps such as Styx and Lower Hades will be open, which is not typical on opening day, stated Sven Brunso, vice president of sales and marketing at Durango Mountain Resort. Purgatory couldnt have scripted a better scenario of multiple storms this fall with high moisture content, making for a great start to the season.
Durango Mountain Resort will temporarily suspend operations on Monday, Dec. 2 to allow its snowmaking and grooming team to operate at maximum capacity throughout the week. Even though Mother Nature has blessed Purgatory with great snowfall thus far, its not enough to carry us through the entire season, stated Mike McCormack, senior vice president of mountain operations. The mountain operations crew needs to continue to prep the mountain and ensure we have adequate coverage to get us through spring conditions.
Purgatory will resume operations on Friday, Dec. 6. The goal of the mountain crew is to open Purgatory for daily operations, seven days a week, starting on Dec. 6th, stated McCormack. With Mother Natures cooperation, Purgatorys crew will make additional snow to cover terrain on the backside in order to open additional trails and Lift 3.
On Fri., Nov. 29 from 1-3pm, join the Season Kick-Off festivities with a Bluegrass jam band in Purgys and beer specials from Steamworks. On Sat., Nov. 30, enjoy drink specials on Purgatory Beach with sponsor, Standard Distributing, from 2-5pm.
This weekend, Purgys Restaurant will be open 11am to 9pm for lunch, aprs ski and dinner (on Sunday, Purgys is open until 4:30pm) and Purgys Coffee Kiosk will be open at 8am. Village Market and Deli hours will be 7:30am to 6pm. Shops in Purgatory Village Plaza will also be open 8am to 5pm, offering fantastic sales to kick off the season at Purgatory Sports and Alpine Chic. Snowmobile Adventures are offering tours all weekend, for information, call 970-385-2141.
For the latest information on mountain operations, the snow report and other information, visit www.skipurg.com or call 970-247-9000.
