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Purgatory ski resort in Durango opens for 50th year

Skiers, boarders hopeful about El Niño, new owner

Stoked. That was the overwhelming feeling of locals flocking to the mountain on Saturday for Purgatory Resort’s 50th opening day.

Mediocre snow didn’t dim the excitement of many season-pass holders, who are hoping El Niño will bring much more snow than last year.

“I think a lot of people are getting hyped up,” said Andy Grenhart, a ski-school instructor at Purgatory.

Lift 1, the magic carpet and the DC and Angel’s Tread terrain parks opened Saturday, and although there was some grass peeking through the snow, it was better than some skiers and snowboarders expected.

To some itching to get back on the snow, the conditions didn’t matter much.

“We’ll ride on anything. That’s the way some locals are,” said Grenhart’s girlfriend, Amber Neumann.

The new owner of the resort, James Coleman Jr., and the change he has brought to the mountain are also causing a buzz.

“I already see a new attitude,” said Roy Igo, pointing to the new Lift 8 and an early opening date.

The new season pass deals also got good reviews. The new passes include unlimited skiing at other resorts Coleman owns, including Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff and Sipapu Ski Resort and Pajarito Ski Area in northern New Mexico. There are also free days included at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico; Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn and Sunlight among others.

“They added some new mountains this year, which is really cool... I am going to take advantage of it and ski all around the West,” said Bill Doherty.

The sale of the resort to Coleman, a Durangoan, was announced in October 2014, and so far, the local ownership has brought positive change for the staff, said Judy Wachob, vice president of village services.

“We see James up here all the time; that has kind of breathed some excitement into all of us,” she said.

The new Lift 8, a high-speed, detachable quad chairlift, and some new trails are the first of many planned upgrades for the resort that are outlined in Purgatory’s master development plan, said CEO Gary Derck.

“Upgrading the mountain in a very thoughtful and consistent way is a great thing,” he said.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the resort, Purgatory is also planning several exhibits about the history of the mountain and a short film and coffee-table book that is going to be released in early December, Derck said.

While the new lift, which begins operating Dec. 19, and the historical exhibits may be the most visible changes on the mountain, the resort also hired a new chef at Purgy’s, who introduced menu changes with lots of local offerings, said spokeswoman Kim Oyler.

These new choices range from Bayfield trout to Honeyville sauces that will be served in desserts.

The Durango Mountain Institute is also starting meditation classes for guests, she said.

To stay competitive in the future, the resort is also looking to continue growing its summer business, Derck said.

Over the past five years, summer bookings have doubled, to 10,000 room nights in 2015, he said.

Purgatory unveiled its flow trail in September, and Derck sees mountain bike trails and other summer amenities as a way for the resort to grow.

For those focused on the winter, Purgatory will stay open through Thanksgiving week, but it is unknown whether it will stay open on weekdays after the holiday, Oyler said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

If you go

Opening weekend

Discounts will be offered for lift tickets at Purgatory Resort on Sunday through Wednesday. Power Pass season passes and weekday passes will be honored during opening weekend. During the week, season passes can be picked up at the Purgatory office in Bodo Industrial Park.

Lift ticket prices by age

$31: children (6-12)

$40: teens (13-17 )

$50: adults (18-64)

$43: seniors (65-79)

$18: super seniors (80+)

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