Purgatory Ski Resort is an iconic destination in the Durango and Southwest Colorado area. Known primarily for its snowy winter slopes, the resort also offers plenty of things to do in the summer months.
Bike Park
Swap out your skis or snowboard for a bike and take on the mountain on two wheels. The same terrain offers flowy downhill singletrack trails with varying levels of difficulty. You can choose to ride uphill or take advantage of lifts. Rentals and lessons are also available from Purgatory Sports in the plaza.
Alpine Slide
A longtime favorite, the alpine slide takes you down over half a mile of track for an exhilarating self-driven adventure. After taking Lift Four up to the top of the course, you’ll hop in your sled and travel down at your own pace. There are two parallel tracks so you can race your friends too!
Mountain Coaster
The Inferno Mountain Coaster takes it up a notch with an elevated track and 300 feet of climb. The ride delivers a roller coaster-like experience with climbs, drops, twists and turns. Your car is equipped with a handbrake so you can control your speed. Take in the views from this exciting ride, which is also available in the winter for snowy scenery.
Scenic Chairlift
Two chairlifts, Lift 1 (the main lift, also used for the bike park) and Lift 4 (also providing access for the alpine slide), are open for scenic rides. Lift 1 takes about 15 minutes each way while Lift 4 takes about 30 minutes each way. You can enjoy the round trip or hop off at the top to explore.
Twilight Lake
On the other side of Highway 550, Twilight Lake offers paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks from Durango Board and Boat. You can take the free shuttle from the Purgatory base area or park by the lake. Fishing is available, along with a playground, trails, and stunning views of the Twilight Peaks, for which the lake is named.
ATV/UTV/RZR Rentals & Tours
Colorado Outback Adventures runs ATV/UTV/RZR tours and rentals from Purgatory Resort for easy access to the backcountry. A variety of vehicles accommodate different comfort levels but all are equipped with GPS to follow trails and location tracking.
Hiking, Events, and More
- Take a step back into the rich mining history and pan for gold and other treasure in the plaza.
- Although you can’t hike directly from the Purgatory base area, there are many nearby trails including Hermosa Creek, Purgatory Flats, and Cascade Creek.
- Throughout the summer, Purgatory hosts a variety of events including group rides, races, festivals, cooking classes, Oktoberfest, and live music.
Season passes and day tickets are available for many of the activities. Even without paying an entrance fee, you can visit the base area and enjoy on-site restaurants, shops, and beautiful views. For more things to do in the summer, visit our blogs here or contact The Durango Team at The Wells Group.
