Purgatory Resort will add its name to a short list of U.S. resorts spinning lifts during Memorial Day weekend when it opens for a bonus weekend of skiing this Saturday and Sunday. May 25 will not only mark the kickoff to summer but also the first time in resort history Purgatory has opened for skiing on the last weekend in May.
After picking up 8” of snow through Monday morning (with up to two feet expected through Thursday according to OpenSnow), Purgatory officials announced today it will open Lift 1, an expected 130 acres and one terrain park (conditions permitting) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Winter operations are expected to conclude after Sunday, May 26 and summer activities will continue to be open every day.
Less than a dozen ski areas will be open in the U.S. this weekend – Purgatory is the southern-most resort.
2018-2019 and 2019-2020 season passes will be valid for skiing only and 2019 summer passes will be able to use their pass for winter and summer activities during the historic weekend. For non-pass holders, discounted lift tickets will be available at the window: $29 for adults (18-64), $22 for teens (13-17), $19 for kids (ages 11-12) and $23 for seniors (ages 65-79). Guests ages 80 and older ski free, and kids 10 and younger receive a FREE Power Kids season pass that’s valid for skiing during the bonus weekend and every day during the 2019/2020 winter, too.
In addition to Purgatory Village Express (Lift 1), the new Inferno Mountain Coaster, zip line, bungee trampoline, ropes course, scenic chairlift rides, treasure panning, gyro chair, and a bounce house will be operating as well. Additional activities, including Durango’s only alpine slide and the Purgatory bike park will open later in the season once the legendary snowpack (which brought over 30 feet of snow to Purgatory this year) subsides.
New this year, Purgatory’s day ticket (formerly called the Total Adventure Ticket) will provide unlimited and all-day access to Purgatory’s summer activities and – for this weekend only – skiing and snowboarding, too. Discounted day tickets will be available online at PurgatoryResort.com
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic will kick off the Saturday activities with Purgatory hosting the Quarter Horse finish. Cyclists will ride from downtown Durango to Purgatory, a 25-mile ride with a vertical of 2,300 feet, as part of the renowned IHBC event. Road and highway closures will be in effect – guests are encouraged to visit the IHBC website for details.
“Our guests and staff love living in and visiting Durango for the incredible recreational activities available, and this will be on full display beginning Saturday,” said Purgatory general manager Dave Rathbun. “This weekend, you can literally do everything you’re passionate about: skiing, biking, ziplining, coaster riding – and we are thrilled that Purgatory can be a base camp for it all.”
The 2018-2019 winter season was a banner year for the resort: Purgatory received 362” of snow, a feat accomplished only two other times since the Durango-area ski resort opened in 1965. The Durango resort concluded the historic season on May 4 – the longest season in resort history.
For more information, visit PurgatoryResort.com.
