Record-breaking warmth and a distinct lack of snow have been a cornerstone of Durango’s winter season so far. While some businesses that benefit from warmer weather have seen benefits, others that depend on snowfall are feeling worried.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Braeden Winters, Durango has received only 8 inches of snowfall so far this winter – about 2 feet below the typical 30- to 35-inch average.
Average temperatures this December also reached a record-breaking 10 degrees above normal, he said.
Though higher mountain elevations are faring somewhat better, and some snowfall may be coming in the next several weeks, it likely won’t be enough to reverse the dry pattern the region has been stuck in this season, Winters said.
The warmer weather has caused the few snowstorms that have touched down to be wet and slushy, Winters said – hardly an effective type of snow for creating snowpack.
Conditions like these can mean trouble for businesses whose success depends on consistent winter weather.
The unseasonably warm weather and lack of snow have caused some concern for Durango businesses that rely heavily on winter conditions, said Tim Walsworth, executive director of the Business Improvement District.
“Those businesses that are reliant at this time of year on some snow being on the ground – whether it’s in a parking lot and there’s snow removal happening, or you’re an outdoor gear business that focuses on renting skis, buying skis, selling jackets, selling gloves – are certainly going to be impacted by the weather that we’re experiencing,” he said. “(The season’s) not over, but it has been a slow start, and yes, it is certainly a little worrisome.”
Ski Barn owner Bill Brown told the The Durango Herald in December that revenue was down roughly 25% in comparison with previous seasons, but he was remaining cautiously optimistic.
Other winter sports and ski rental shops in Durango reported surprisingly positive news on their sales so far this season – despite the warm weather and lack of snow.
“We’ve been pretty steady,” said Cody Beaver, a sales and racks tech at the Boarding Haus. “Obviously, it’s slowed down quite a bit now that the tourists have left after Christmas break, but even right now we’re setting six people for rentals.”
He said this year has been in line with sale numbers from last year – but that the 2023-24 season, with its colder weather and influx of snow, was a standout for sales.
Durango received 35 inches of snow that season, Winters said – right in line with the average. The 2024-25 season mirrored much of what has been seen so far this season, he said.
Adam Bojan, owner of Performance Sports, said the shop has seen decent business so far this season and that sales have remained steady throughout the past several seasons – despite the 2023-24 season having significantly more snow than the 2024-25 and early 2025-26 seasons.
“So far, (business has) been pretty dang good considering the amount of snow,” he said. “As long as Purg can get open and people can ski, they’re skiing.”
The Durango Nordic Ski Club, a nonprofit organization that offers cross-country skiing and outdoor recreation to the region, had yet to open for the season as of Thursday.
“We do not have enough snow yet to groom our trails, so we are not open to the public,” a member of the nonprofit said on the organization’s voicemail Thursday. “... We are anxious to open and will open as soon as we can, but I don’t know a date.”
Less snow can mean fewer people staying in Durango hotels, Walsworth said – and though official revenue numbers for this winter season aren’t in yet, he expects the data to reflect a slower season.
“Certainly, the weather is impacting visits to Purgatory and the surrounding ski areas,” he said. “... Probably where we’ll see the impact is when we get occupancy reports at hotels. When we get some of that hard data in the form of sales tax collections, we’re probably going to see some slowdown.”
Purgatory Resort declined to speak with the Herald about this season’s visitors.
At the Junction Hotel & Hostel, guests can pay a higher nightly rate in exchange for two lift tickets for every two nights they stay at the hotel. This season has been one of the slowest on record for the program, said Front Desk Manager Chessie Garfield.
She said only five people have taken advantage of the program since the new year, in contrast to the usual 15 to 20 the lodge sees by mid-January.
“January is usually our biggest (income) portion of the year (for the ski pass deal), but we have been having some problems because we haven’t had snow,” she said.
Though guests aren’t taking as much advantage of the free lift ticket program this year, the hotel’s occupancy on the whole has reflected average numbers for this time of year, Garfield said.
Though the warm weather and lack of snow have caused some negative ripples for businesses that rely on the city’s winter economy, other businesses and industries that benefit from warmer months are experiencing an upshot from the uncharacteristically balmy temperatures.
“Since it’s warm people can get outside more, and maybe instead of holing up in the house they choose to come out and spend some money and do some shopping and go out to eat,” Walsworth said.
City spokesman Tom Sluis told the Herald in December that the city of Durango’s snowplow expenditures came in about $171,000 under budget, allowing the city to redirect remaining funds toward other operational maintenance projects.
Pedal the Peaks, which offers bike rentals, sales, demos and repairs on Main Avenue, saw an 80% increase in business over the holidays this year compared with last year, said store manager David Howard.
The store has seen a 40% increase this month compared with previous Januarys, he said.
Cole Glenn, owner of The San Juan Angler, told the Herald in December that the shop was booking more guided fishing trips than usual because of the high temperatures. On Thursday he said that January is usually the shop’s slowest month, but that he’s still seeing increased business for this time of year.
Though projections from the National Weather Service for the rest of the season seem grim, Walsworth hasn’t lost hope that snow may touch down in Durango and with it help save the city’s winter economy.
“Winter’s not over by any means,” he said. “It just remains to be seen if Mother Nature is going to bless us with some snow.”
epond@durangoherald.com
