Resort officials with the largest ski area collective in the Southwest announced capital improvements that will be made for the 2017/2018 season at five southwestern mountains located in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, plus Colorados largest cat skiing operation.
James Coleman, managing partner ofPurgatory Resort,Hesperus Ski Area,Purgatory Snowcat Adventuresand other resorts in the regionannounced the company is investing an additional $15 million for the 2017/2018 season, continuing the aggressive multi-mountain improvement campaign for a grand total of $35 million over three consecutive seasons. Capital improvements include additional trails, enhancements to snowmaking systems, new summer activities, and new offerings to boost the overall skiing and guest experience at the resorts.
Every year, our company invests millions of dollars in our resorts to make improvements to the guest experience, enhancements to the mountains, and to provide something new and exciting for locals and visitors alike, stated Coleman. We are excited to continue our commitment once again this year to improving the skiing experience, which remains our number one priority.
Building on the success Purgatory has seen in recent years with summer activities becoming more popular, additional summer activities are planned for Purgatory Resort. Two new summer activities will be offered in the Columbine area at the resort: summer tubing, accessed via the Columbine Lift 9 and a new 50 foot by 50 foot airbag that guests jump on to from a platform. Coming later in 2017, Purgatory will feature a new mountain coaster, which will be located just north of the Twilight Lift 4 and will operate during both winter and summer seasons. This is the first mountain coaster to be built on this steep of a mountain slope in the U.S. The coaster will be 4,000 feet in length. For winter, Purgatory is expanding its terrain with new intermediate and expert trails on the back- and front-sides of the mountain, and will add new gladed tree skiing terrain. The triple chairlift, Needles Lift 6 will offer a new mid-way loading zone that provides an easier way to access terrain for ski teams, terrain park users, and skiers/riders who want to make laps on the front upper half of the mountain. Improvements will be made to the snowmaking infrastructure, including additional pumping capacity, pipe, electric and additional energy efficient snow guns. The new snowmaking equipment improves the resorts ability to make snow and open the resort more efficiently. For more information, visit Purgatorys website.
Colorados largest snowcat skiing operation with access to 35,000 acres based at Purgatory Resort will be improving its snowcat cabins. Durangos cat skiing operation will also provide a new portable shelter to be utilized during breaks and at lunchtime.
Next winter, Hesperus will install additional lights, increasing the amount of terrain for night skiing. The mountain will re-open the rope tow and install a new yurt, which provides additional indoor space for guests. The rental shop will be expanded and reconfigured for a more customer-friendly experience, and the ski and snowboard rental equipment will be upgraded.
