Summit 10,822 ft · 25 miles north of Durango
Purgatory Resort
Four-season mountain resort in the heart of the San Juans
1,500+
Skiable Acres
105
Trails
2,029'
Vertical Drop
260"
Avg. Snowfall
Founded 1965
Born from a forest ranger's dream
Purgatory Resort was founded in 1965 by Chet Anderson, a U.S. Forest Service ranger who knew the San Juan Mountains as well as anyone alive, and Ray Duncan, a Farmington oilman with the means to build. Together they carved a ski area from the spruce-covered slopes 25 miles north of Durango along Highway 550. The resort sits at a base elevation of 8,793 feet, with its summit reaching 10,822 feet and a vertical drop of 2,029 feet.
The name carries a wry local history. A witty farmer named the nearby creek after the Rio de las Animas Perdidas -- the River of Lost Souls -- and the resort took its name from that tributary. The mythology stuck: trail names include Angel's Tread, Demon, Styx, and Nirvana, weaving themes of the afterlife through the trail map. Today the resort has grown to 105 trails, 5 terrain parks, and 12 lifts spread across more than 1,500 skiable acres, averaging 260 inches of snowfall each winter.
Winter Season
Skiing for everyone
Purgatory has been named the best ski area for beginners in North America, with wide, groomed runs that give first-timers room to learn without feeling overwhelmed. But the mountain holds plenty for experts too: steep glades, mogul fields, and five terrain parks with features ranging from small rollers to competition-grade jumps.
Kids 12 and under ski free at Purgatory -- a policy that has made the resort a favorite among families. The ski season typically runs from late November through early April. With 12 lifts and 105 trails, lift lines are rare even on the busiest holiday weekends.
Mountain Stats
- Base elevation8,793 ft
- Summit10,822 ft
- Vertical drop2,029 ft
- Trails105
- Lifts12
- Terrain parks5
- Skiable acres1,500+
- Avg. snowfall260 inches
Summer Season
When the snow melts
Inferno Mountain Coaster
A 4,000-foot alpine rollercoaster that winds through the forest and down the mountainside. Riders control their own speed on individual carts, making it suitable for both thrill-seekers and those who prefer a gentler ride. It is one of the longest mountain coasters in Colorado.
Mountain Biking
Purgatory operates a full lift-served mountain bike park in summer, with trails from flowy beginner paths to technical black diamonds. The Divinity Flow Trail is a standout -- a purpose-built descending singletrack with bermed turns, gentle rollers, and sweeping views of the Animas Valley.
Alpine Slide & Bungee
The alpine slide sends riders down a concrete track on wheeled sleds, while the bungee trampoline launches kids and adults 30 feet into the air. Go-karts, an outdoor swimming pool, and archery round out the options for families spending the day on the mountain.
Scenic Chairlift Rides
The chairlift operates through the summer months, carrying hikers and sightseers to the upper mountain for panoramic views of the Needle Mountains, the Weminuche Wilderness, and the Animas River valley. The wildflower bloom in July and early August is particularly spectacular from elevation.
Location
Between Durango and Silverton
Purgatory sits along US Highway 550, the main corridor through the San Juan Mountains. Durango is 25 miles south -- about a 30-minute drive -- with its historic downtown, restaurants, and the train depot. Silverton is 25 miles north, accessible via the same highway as it climbs toward the Million Dollar Highway and Red Mountain Pass.
The resort sits within the San Juan National Forest, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. The Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest wilderness area at 500,000 acres, begins just miles from the base area. Trailheads for hikes to alpine lakes, fourteener summits, and the Colorado Trail are all within a short drive.
Steps from the lifts
Our townhouse sits at the base of Purgatory Resort -- ski-in access and mountain views from every window.