PURGATORY News:
Purgatory Resort, one of Colorado’s most family-friendly and affordable ski resorts, will kick off its 60th ski season Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Daily operations are scheduled through April 5, 2026, with weekend operations continuing as conditions allow.
Purgatory Resort opened Dec. 4, 1965, with one double chairlift and a handful of trails. Lift tickets were $4.50 for adults. Sixty years later, the resort features 1,635 acres of skiable terrain with 107 trails, 11 lifts, year-round activities, and signature events.
Lift tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now, starting at $9 on select dates. Purgatory’s demand-based pricing rewards guests who plan ahead with the lowest rates, as prices increase with demand. In addition, Purgatory’s Power Kids program will continue to provide unlimited free skiing for all kids 12 and under this season, no purchase required and no blackout dates. Together, these programs underscore the resort’s commitment to making skiing more accessible for families and giving everyone the freedom to enjoy the mountain. Guests can view daily lift ticket rates by visiting the ticket calendar at purgatory.ski/mountain/lift-tickets.
“We are thrilled to invite skiers and snowboarders to celebrate 60 years of Purgatory,” Dave Rathbun, Purgatory Resort’s general manager said. “This achievement is a testament to the support of our community, the dedication of our amazing team, and our loyal guests who make Purgatory part of their winter traditions.”
Winter 2025-26 Capital Improvements
The 2025-26 season brings a series of improvements designed to enhance the guest experience, including the following highlights:
- Expanded snowmaking extending to the lower sections of Ray’s Ridge, Blackburn’s Bash and Legends Bypass will improve coverage and ensure more reliable access to the backside and Legends Express (Lift 8). This upgrade enhances conditions and helps ensure great coverage on some of Purgatory’s most enjoyed terrain.
- Purgatory will install a Campbell Scientific SnowVue system, a snow stake that provides real-time snow depth measurements. The new system will track 24-hour snow totals, storm totals and cumulative snowfall, giving skiers and riders clear, consistent updates to plan their days on the mountain.
- Guests will also find new HEAD rental equipment, expanded Wi-Fi coverage throughout the resort, new HD streaming cameras for live mountain conditions, an improved Purgatory app, Paradise Pizzeria refresh, and ongoing trail work to clear brush and hazard trees.
Purgatory will host a Kick-Off Party & Ski Swap on Saturday, Sept. 27, to celebrate the resort’s 60th anniversary and give the community a chance to gear up for winter. The event will feature live music, food and drink specials, games, giveaways, and the new ski swap. Full details are available at Purgatory.ski/events.
About Purgatory Resort
Known as one of Colorado’s most family-friendly and best-value ski resorts, Purgatory is located on the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains between Durango and Silverton. The resort offers 107 trails, four terrain parks, 11 lifts, and 1,635 skiable acres ranging from steep tree skiing to wide-open cruisers, plus year-round activities, lodging, dining, and signature events. Home to Colorado’s largest guided snowcat operation, Purgatory Snowcat Adventures spans 35,000 acres of glades, bowls, cliffs, chutes, gullies, and trees. Purgatory was named the No. 1 ski area for beginners in North America by OnTheSnow.com in the 2024–2025 Visitors’ Choice Awards. For more information, visit Purgatory.ski.