North of Durango · US-550 · Ski area and summer adventure park
Purgatory Resort
Ski 1,635 acres of San Juan Mountains terrain about 25 miles north of Durango on US-550, with the 2026/27 season scheduled to open November 20 and a new steep-terrain lift on the way.
Opens Purgatory’s lift ticket page. Winter prices are dynamic and rise closer to your ski day, so buying online and early saves the most.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Winter ski area
Plus summer slide, coaster and bike park
Admission
Dynamic lift tickets
Limited $9 dates. Kids 12 & under ski free.
Hours
Lifts typically 9–4
Closed now. Skiing opens Nov 20, 2026.
Time needed
Full ski day
No half-day lift tickets offered
Parking
Free lots + shuttle
Main lot is 4+ carpools at peak times
Top elevation
10,822 ft
Summit · 1,635 skiable acres
What you’ll see
Big San Juan skiing off US-550
Purgatory is first a winter mountain, with summer rides and a bike park when the snow is gone. In late October it sits between seasons.
Photo: Stagefright07 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Start here
1,635 acres above an 8,793-foot base
Purgatory’s terrain climbs from an 8,793-foot base to a 10,822-foot summit, with about 260 inches of snow in an average winter. The mix is 20% beginner, 45% intermediate and 35% advanced or expert, served by a high-speed six-person lift, two high-speed quads and a set of triple and double chairs.
RV tip: buy lift tickets online and early, because prices rise as your ski day gets closer. Online tickets bought at least 24 hours ahead come with $10 in Purgatory Cash per person, per day on select dates.
More to see
- New Colorado Couloir liftA fixed-grip triple that climbs 1,625 feet from the Gelande parking area into steep, gladed terrain with seven new trails and connectors. Purgatory is targeting December 2026, conditions permitting.
- Kids ski freeKids 12 and under ski free all season with a free Power Kids Pass; you need proof of age and a signed waiver.
- Snowcat adventuresPurgatory Snowcat Adventures, which the resort calls Colorado’s largest guided snowcat operation, runs in winter.
- Summer activitiesThe alpine slide, mountain coaster, scenic chairlift and bike park run in summer. The 2026 slide season ended October 4, so these return next summer.
Why go
A big San Juan mountain on the road to Silverton
Purgatory sits in the San Juan Mountains of La Plata County, about 25 miles north of Durango on US-550, the San Juan Skyway. It opened in 1965, spent years under the name Durango Mountain Resort, and took back the Purgatory name after James Coleman bought it in 2015.
For RVers the appeal is how easy it is to reach. The resort entrance is right on US-550, and several Durango RV parks sit along the same highway 15 to 30 minutes south. If you can, leave the big rig at camp and drive up in the tow vehicle, especially once winter storms arrive.
Two seasons matter. Winter brings about 260 inches of snow in an average year, and the 2026/27 season is scheduled to open November 20. In summer and early fall the resort runs its alpine slide, mountain coaster, scenic chairlift and bike park; the 2026 summer season wrapped up in early October.
Photo: John Fowler on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Why it made our list
- A 10,822-foot summit and 1,635 skiable acres
- About 25 miles from downtown Durango
- Kids 12 and under ski free with a Power Kids Pass
- Limited $9 lift tickets on select dates
- A new Colorado Couloir lift for 2026/27
For RVers
Taking the rig up to Purgatory
The practical stuff we wished someone had told us before we pulled in.
Plan the US-550 drive
Purgatory is about 25 miles north of Durango on US-550, a paved two-lane mountain highway. From fall into spring, CDOT can put the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law or Chain Law into effect on any state highway during storms, so check COtrip before you leave. Purgatory does not publish RV size limits; call (970) 385-2100 if you plan to bring a big rig.
Free parking and a lot shuttle
Parking is free in the Main Village and overflow lots, and a free lot shuttle runs 8 am to 5 pm on operating days. At peak times the Main Village lot is saved for carpools of four or more, so a solo driver should expect the overflow lot.
Pets on a ski day
The Purgatory pages we checked don’t spell out a pet policy, so ask guest services before you bring a dog. On a cold ski day, a pet is usually happier back at camp than in a parked vehicle all day.
Or leave the driving to the bus
In past winters Purgatory has run a paid skier shuttle from Durango, with stops at the Durango Transit Center and along US-550, listed at $20 per ride. Check the resort’s transportation page for the 2026/27 schedule before you plan around it.
What visitors say about Purgatory Resort
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 24, 2026.
Kids 12 and under always ski FREE!
Purgatory Resort, on its lift ticket page · purgatory.ski
What visitors often mention
Popular mentions in Tripadvisor reviews
Summer activitiesMountain coasterSkiing
Tripadvisor’s review page lists summer activities, the mountain coaster and skiing among its popular mentions, a sign that visitors come in both seasons. Tripadvisor doesn’t show counts for these. Checked October 24, 2026.
How the terrain breaks down
Terrain split from Visit Durango’s Purgatory fact sheet and Purgatory’s winter press kit. At a 10,822-foot summit the air is thin, so drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen.
Good to know
Winter lift ticketsFrom $9 limited dates, online
Kids 12 & underFree with Power Kids Pass
Half-day ticketsNot offered full-day tickets only
Ways to saveBuy online earlyMidweek ticketsPurgatory Cash
From Purgatory’s lift ticket page, checked October 24, 2026. Winter prices are dynamic and rise closer to your ski day. Purgatory Cash ($10 per person, per day on select dates) needs an online purchase at least 24 hours ahead. Tickets are non-refundable after a 48-hour cancellation window.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Purgatory Resort
- Address1 Skier Place, Durango, CO 81301
- HoursLifts typically 9–4
Closed now. Skiing opens Nov 20, 2026. - Phone(970) 385-2100
- TicketsBuy online ahead; prices rise closer to your ski day
- Getting thereFrom downtown Durango, drive north on US-550 about 25 miles; the resort entrance is right on the highway.
- ParkingFree in the Main Village and overflow lots, with a free lot shuttle 8 am–5 pm on operating days. At peak times the Main Village lot is for carpools of four or more.
Hours change with the season and the weather. Check Purgatory’s snow report at (970) 385-2166 and CDOT’s COtrip for US-550 conditions before you head up, especially once winter storms arrive.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near Purgatory Resort
These are Durango-area parks we have written up along the US-550 corridor north of town, the side closest to Purgatory. Drive times are from our park guides.
JW Durango Riverside Resort
Riverfront full-hookup sites on the Animas, the closest of our parks to Purgatory. Open spring to fall, so it suits summer visits.
Westerly RV Park
A small, year-round full-hookup park next to Durango Hot Springs, handy for ski season.
Alpen Rose RV Park
A big, grassy year-round park on US-550 just north of Durango, with full hookups and a dog area.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Opening day: Friday, November 20, 2026
Ready to ski the San Juans?
Buy lift tickets online and early, carpool if you can, and check US-550 conditions before you leave camp.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos via Wikimedia Commons: John Fowler (fall aspens and US-550 fall color; CC BY 2.0), Stagefright07 (chairlift view; CC BY 3.0), Jeffrey Beall (entrance gate; CC BY 4.0), Jacob Montgomery (winter view; CC BY-SA 3.0) and mark byzewski (Engineer Mountain; CC BY 2.0); the images were resized. Video: Snowboard Traveler on YouTube (Purgatory ski resort guide). Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Purgatory Resort unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the resort’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the resort and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with Purgatory Resort at purgatory.ski or (970) 385-2100. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.