Purgatory
Purgatory offers a dreamlike escape from the Colorado crowds in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in Southern Colorado
Mountain Statistics
Summit
10,822ft
Vertical
2,072ft
Terrain
1,635acres
Snowfall
260in/yr
Lifts
11
Runs
107
Terrain Parks
4
Base Elevation
8,793ft
Resort Scores & Rankings
Terrain Breakdown
As Pure As It Gets
The skiing at Purgatory resort is as pure as skiing gets in Colorado. With over 1,600 skiable acres serviced by 11 lifts and 80 percent of the mountain catering to intermediate and advanced skiers, there's little left to be desired in Southern Colorado.
Trail Maps
Trail Map
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7-Day Snow Forecast
Current Conditions
28°F
broken clouds
Weather data provided by OpenWeatherMap
Updated: 2:15:17 PM
Skiing Purgatory
Rated as one of the best ski resorts for families and beginners, Purgatory offers all of the incredible views Colorado resorts are known for, without overly intimidating terrain or local atmosphere. Across the 1,600 skiable acres, skiers will find a plethora of pristine groomers set to the backdrop of the stunning San Juan Mountains. A dedicated learning area gives total beginners a welcoming space to learn and because almost every lift offers blue runs, the entire family can stick together while individually seeking out terrain that excites them.
For more advanced skiers, the backside of Purgatory offers steeper terrain with opportunities to get off piste and weave between the trees. After a storm, Steep Styx and Bull Run on the backside are going to open the gates to powder heaven and when all of the fresh snow is chewed up, Pandemonium will get the heart rate and the legs pumping. For the best tree skiing on the mountain, head to Ambassador's Glade off Lift #2.
Planning Your Trip
Purgatory is the ultimate family ski vacation destination. The terrain and skiing opportunities are endless, no matter ability level, the crowds are virtually non-existent thanks to its location on the San Juan Scenic Byway and the value of your stay cannot be understated. Affordability is hard to come by these days, but Purgatory's offerings remain reasonable despite rising costs throughout the industry.
Getting There
Although Southern Colorado seems like a tough place to get to, Purgatory is just 25 miles from the town of Durango, and you don't have to drive over a mountain pass to reach it. If you're arriving by plane, Durango-La Plata County Airport is just 40 miles from Purgatory and Montrose Regional Airport is just 83 miles away. If you're coming from Denver, expect about seven hours in the car to travel the 370 miles. Albuquerque, New Mexico is technically closer, just 240 miles or about four hours in the car.
