You Can Do A Lot More Than Ski
At Durango Mountain Resort
If you think Durango Mountain Resort is only for skiing, you’re in for a surprise. They not only have numerous winter activities, but quite a few things to do in the “off-season”, too! For the curious, below are the “Stats” about the resort. Then a list of things to do while you’re there, whether summer or winter. Have a blast!
Mountain Stats
Purgatory Mountain
Base Elevation: 8,793' (2,680m)
Summit Elevation: 10,822' (3,299m)
Vertical Drop: 2,029' (618m)
Skiable Area: 1,200 acres (486 hectares)
Annual Snowfall: 260" (660cm)
Snowmaking: 21%/250 Acres
Number of Lifts: 10 lifts
Uphill Lift Capacity 15,050/hour
Types of Lifts: 1 High Speed Six Person
1 High Speed Quad
4 Triple Chairlifts
3 Double Chairlifts
Mountain Adventure of All Sorts!
Obviously, you can downhill ski at Durango Mountain Resort (also known as Purgatory, in the “old days”). And you can snowboard. But you can also cross country ski, snowshoe, skibike, snowcat ski and snowmobile. And that’s only the outdoor winter activities.During the summer you can ride the alpine slide. Or take a chairlift ride to view the spectacular scenery. And the dining options are many. Add to that the live summer entertainment right there, and you’ve got a great place to play!
Winter Activities:
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Of course, downhill snow skiing and snowboarding are the first things anyone thinks when they hear “ski resort”. And Durango Mountain Resort is a great place to do that! With 10 lifts and a capacity to take over 15,000 people up the hill every hour, you won’t get bored here. They have 1200 acres you can ski on. And lessons and rentals and everything else you might need. Just don’t forget your goggles and sunscreen or your enthusiasm at home!
Snowshoeing
If you like backcountry and peace and quiet, how about snowshoeing? Durango Mountain Resort has all you need to enjoy the San Juan National Forest in this “anyone-can-do-it” way. There’s nothing to learn, you can move at your own pace and see parts of the high country in a unique way.Durango Mountain Resort provides guides and all your gear: snowshoes and poles, as well as lunch and water. They recommend you wear layers (the weather can change very quickly out here!), including sturdy, warm boots, heavy socks (I prefer two layers to keep my feet dry, but I see on their site they recommend only one to the kids so you won’t bunch them up and get blisters…), comfortable clothing such as you’d wear to ski, plus hat and gloves. Gaiters (waterproof ankle to knee covers) are recommended as well, since you’ll likely be in deep, powdery snow at least part of the time. You might also want a small backpack or fanny pack with extra water and sunscreen. And don’t forget your camera! Reservations are required no later than 4 pm of the day before you want to go. Call 970-385-2147. Snowshoeing is included in the Total Adventure Ticket program. Or, you can rent snowshoes from Performance Peak or guest services at 970-385-2147, and go exploring on your own.
Cross Country Skiing
Another serene and quiet mode to get around the mountain is cross country skiing. Durango Mountain Resort has nearly 10 miles of groomed trails you can use for both skate skiing and cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing. Great for all ages! The Nordic Center is across Highway 550 from Purgatory Village. There, you can get rentals, group lessons, private lessons, moonlight tours, half and full day tours, group discounts, clinics and races. The Nordic Center is operated by The Durango Nordic Ski Club – Call them for trail conditions and information at 970-385-2114.
Skibiking
Ever heard of skibiking? We hadn’t, until we checked out winter sports in Colorado. Imagine your bike with skis instead of wheels and you get the picture. Durango Mountain Resort offers this newest trend in winter fun. You can rent skibikes at Purgatory Rentals from two different companies: K2 and Brenter. You must be certified to skibike, or take a certification course from Purgatory Ski and Ride School before you can take to the slopes with this sport. For more information, call them at 970-247-9000, extension 5110.
Snowmobiling
This is what my “boys” like: snowmobiling. While our son hasn’t yet had a chance to snowmobile in the mountains like his dad has, he does own his own snowmobile and rides with his dad in Minnesota (and nearby Wisconsin) whenever he gets the chance.Durango Mountain Resort is one of the many places you can snowmobile near Durango Colorado. Snowmobile Adventures! can take you high into the mountains on a variety of one- to four-hour guided tours. With more than 60 miles of trails (and spectacular views), you’ll be having a ball in no time, starting right at the resort. You can ride alone, or with one passenger. Anyone 6 years and older is welcome. They offer tours all day from 9 am to 5 pm, weather permitting. Call 970-247-9000, extension 141 for reservations and more information.
Snowcat Skiing
Now, here’s another winter activity we’d never heard of before: snowcat skiing. We know what a snowcat is (my son has even helped drive the one that belongs to the snowmobile club he and my husband belong to here). And I know Durango Mountain Resort has had snowcats for a long time. But snowcat skiing?
(This isn't the snowcat you'd ride in for skiing, this is one of their trail groomers. The other snowcats were out when I was there.)Turns out it means that you ride in an enclosed-cab snowcat to one of numerous locations in the backcountry, ski (with guides) on down, and get back in the snowcat to go to the next mountain to conquer. With 15-30 minutes between runs, you have plenty of time to warm back up before attacking the next slope. Pretty neat way to go backcountry skiing without having to ski all the way in first. Purgatory boasts of being home to the largest snowcat operation in the lower 48 states. And they have 35,000 acres of back country they can take you to ski on. Pretty impressive. The San Juan Ski Company provides both snowcat skiing and snowboarding in the San Juan National Forest. Intermediate, advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders are welcomed (this is beyond beginners). They are based at Durango Mountain Resort and only 30 minutes from the Silverton Mountain Ski Area and 2 hours from the Telluride Ski Resort or the Wolf Creek Ski Resort. Come check out the extreme back country skiing, in areas that get 20 to 30 feet of snow a season. The snowcat can go out, no matter the weather, and you can enjoy fresh powder any day! A note of caution: this is high altitude skiing. The San Juan Ski Company has a permit that allows them to take snowcat skiers from 8,800 feet in elevation, up to 12,500 feet. If you’re coming from a low elevation, give yourself a few days to acclimate to the higher elevations before tackling these extreme altitudes. Call 1-800-208-1780 or 970-259-9671 for more information and to make reservations.
For the Kids:
For the kids in your group, Durango Mountain Resort has special instructors for both skiing and snowboarding, and special activities and areas geared just to them. With an Old West fun park right on the mountain and the Pitchfork Terrain Garden for beginners to practice in, kids are all set to have fun, too! Dress in layers (the weather can change fast), and wear thick socks. Don’t forget your goggles and sunscreen! At Hoody’s Hangout , you can have fun and try new things (they don’t say exactly what on their website…). Or try out one of the two terrain parks. Durango Mountain Resort’s Terrain Park Crew spends their day riding in the park, while they shape and mold it. The Paradise Freestyle Arena gives you the chance to get “big air” with huge kickers, winding rails and a massive pipe. Have someone bring a camera and catch you in midair with the Needles Mountains in the background to impress your friends. You need to be either intermediate or expert to use this park. The smaller Pitchfork Terrain Garden is geared toward the younger set and first time riders. If you want to learn, here’s the place to go. This park is for beginners to intermediate.
Now on to the other things you can do, winter or summer.For your dining pleasure, Durango Mountain Resort boasts six restaurants right there, and three more very close by. If you want to go into Durango proper to dine (and you should at least once, to check out the place), our favorite restaurants are: Fransisco’s Mexican style, extraordinaire! on Main near 6th (or College Ave); The Ore House, a steak house ½ block off Main on 6th (or College Ave—they changed the name I think); Sweeney’s, another steak house just past the north city limits, headed toward Durango Mountain Resort; and Christina’s, a superb family dining/American cuisine done best place just west of town at the Durango Inn (Best Western). At Durango Mountain Resort, you can get everything from a fast breakfast before you hit the slopes, to everyday American cuisine, to Southwest zingy to steak. The Creekside Restaurant is in the heart of Purgatory Village. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is a casual place to meet family and friends before or after you’ve skied (or ridden the Alpine Slide). Everything from nachos to burgers.
Next, they have Purgy’s a local’s “hot spot” in the original 1960’s lodge at Purgatory. They serve pizza, burgers, kids meals and more, and have an indoor bar. Or try the cocktail service on Purgy’s Beach with live entertainment included. (summer only).Mountain Market & Deli is where you can stock up on groceries and quick meals, including homemade soups and sandwiches, right in Purgatory Village. You can also purchase packaged liquors and sweets. At Café de los Piños enjoy the views while you dine. Located upstairs of Dantes on the back side of Purgatory Mountain, you get fine southwest food with a wonderful Durango flair. Also on the back side of the mountain, Dante’s is just off chair lift 5. They serve a la carte favorites, such as burgers, brats and chili. Don’t forget dessert! On the front side of Purgatory Mountain sits Powderhouse. Meet up with your family and friends for a bite of lunch or enjoy the football games and entertainment, relaxing on the couches in front of the TV. Pizza and pasta, plus an outdoor grill, make this a great choice for everyone. Just a mile north of Purgatory Village is Cascade Grill . Go there for casual dining in a beautiful mountain setting. Dinner nightly Friday through Sunday includes such choices as grilled elk medallions, fresh cut steaks and seafood. Or try their bottomless pasta bowl. A children’s menu is also available for the smaller appetites. One of two choices ten miles north of Durango Mountain Resort is Hamilton Chop House . Located in the Lodge at Tammaron, they serve prime beef, wild game and local specialties. A full bar and wine menu are both available, too. For this restaurant, it’s recommended you have reservations. Also at the Lodge at Tammaron is Cliffside Deli . They serve gourmet salads, sandwiches hot drinks and cappuccinos. Or for your sweet tooth, try one of their sweet treats. While this is only the winter activities, we’ll be back soon with more information on the summer ones (and lots of winter pictures, I hope). Happy skiing (and everything else) at Durango Mountain Resort!
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