Whether you’re a die-hard Southwest skier, or a Front Range rider who’s planning your first trip to the southern resorts, there’s plenty to see in the Southwest region of Colorado. Use our Southwest Ski Season Checklist as a guide to make sure you don’t miss anything while visiting the San Juans.
Hesperus – A small local ski hill near downtown Durango, Hesperus offers 26 trails on 160 acres and night skiing six nights a week. Hesperus recently installed additional lights to increase night skiing terrain this season, which means more opportunities for moonlit turns until 9 p.m.
Purgatory – Take a break from skiing to ride the brand-new Mountain Coaster, 4,000 feet in length with a 300 foot-vertical drop and open year-round. While you’re there, get your thrills with Purgatory Snowcat Adventures, Colorado’s largest snowcat skiing operation with access to 35,000 acres.
Silverton – Go heli-skiing. Every dedicated skier and rider should try a heli drop at least once. At Silverton, heli-skiing is a bucket list item made affordable by being able to purchase by the drop for only $179 per person per drop. Or commit to a full-day heli-skiing adventure with 6 drops for $999.
Telluride – Ride the free Telluride Gondola. Telluride’s gondola system provides free transportation between the Mountain Village and the town of Telluride, a quiet 13-minute ride from Oak Street Plaza to Mountain Village Center, with breathtaking scenery and 360 degree panoramic views.
Wolf Creek – Ride the Lynx Lift. New for the 2017-18 season, the Lynx Lift is a covered conveyor lift that will service beginner terrain and help intermediate and advanced skiers access the Elma and Alberta lifts. While you’re there, take the Horseshoe Bowl Snowcat Shuttle for fresh tracks in an in-bounds backcountry experience.
Did you miss our Front Range Ski Season Checklist? And stay tuned for the Ski Season Checklists in the Route 40 and West/Central regions of Colorado in parts 3 and 4 of our series.
