Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Purg to replace Lift 8

High-speed quad will be built this summer
Purgatory Resort announced Friday it is replacing 30-year-old Lift 8 with a high-speed quad.

Purgatory Resort’s Lift 8 is being retired at season’s end and will be replaced with a high-speed detachable quad chairlift for 2015-16, the area announced Friday afternoon.

“This lift replacement is one of the most ambitious and impactful changes undertaken at this resort in years, and I’m pleased to unveil it during Purgatory’s 50th anniversary celebration,” Purgatory managing partner James Coleman said in a news release Friday.

Lift 8, on Purgatory’s back side, also known as the Legends Lift, has been operating for about three decades.

The last time a lift was replaced at Purgatory was 2000, when Lift 1 was replaced, resort spokeswoman Kim Oyler said Friday afternoon.

The new quad, scheduled to be installed this summer, will be almost a mile in length and will cover a vertical rise of nearly 1,500 feet, the area said. The Legends Lift is expected to take skiers and riders to the summit of Purgatory in just 5 minutes, providing a much faster ride time.

The lift provides access to intermediate, advanced and expert terrain, including tree-skiing trails.

Several changes have happened at the resort in the last few months.

Coleman announced in November that he was purchasing the ski area, then called Durango Mountain Resort. He finalized the deal in February and immediately changed the name back to Purgatory Resort, which it was known as in the past.

Those who want to say goodbye to Lift 8 can do so this weekend. Saturday is Gaper Day with Ska Brewing Co., and it’s time to break out the vintage “onesies” and party to the music of Ralph Dinosaur from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Sunday events include a children’s egg hunt and costume contest during Purgatory’s Easter Eggstravaganza, with music on the Beach by DJ Aiko Aiko.

All Purgatory season passes, including weekday-only passes, are valid this Saturday and Sunday. Purgatory will close for the week, then reopen April 11-12, Oyler said, with discounted tickets and the same deal on passes.

Information about Purgatory’s 50th Anniversary Reunion Season is available at www.SkiPurg.com/50th.

johnp@durangoherald.com

Dec 5, 2015
Purgatory in Durango celebrates its golden anniversary
Apr 7, 2015
A free Sunday at Purgatory


Reader Comments