How to Go Skiing in Durango Mountain, Colorado

Durango, Colorado, is home to Purgatory Mountain, named for the simple fact that once you get here, you might not be able to leave. Dazzling scenery, crisp white snow and the historic town of Durango await.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Book Lodging at Durango Mountain Resort

1. Make plans through the Durango Mountain Resort Web site (see Resources below). You may also call [phone].
2. Choose lodging that fits your budget. Slopeside accommodations in Purgatory Village are expensive but you'll be within a snowball's throw of some of the best skiing in Colorado. Moderately priced options are just outside of Purgatory Village, but still easily accessibly by shuttle.
3. Reserve a home or cabin deep in the mountains for a retreat of a different sort. You'll have a short drive to the action, and you'll experience a new level of serenity.

Get to Durango Mountain Resort

4. Arrange for a flight into Denver International Airport.
5. Reserve a shuttle online or rent a car at the airport for the two-hour drive to the Purgatory Durango Mountain Resort.
6. Drive from Denver on I-70 West to Highway 550 South.

Prepare for the Slopes at Durango Mountain Resort

7. Get the latest snow report from the Durango Mountain Resort Web site (see Resources below.) You can even sign up to get snow alerts by email or text message.
8. Try something new. At Purgatory, you can try snowcat skiing, backcountry skiing or skibiking.
9. Know that more than half of Purgatory's 85 trails are rated intermediate or expert and that Purgatory's summit reaches 10,822 feet.

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