With champagne held high, Tonia Coleman, wife of Purgatoy Resort owner James Coleman, christens the new Legends Express quad chairlift into service at the ski area Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Purgatory Resort’s Wedding and Events manager Sara Bath sits on the No. 50 chair of the new Legends Express quad chairlift that opened at the ski area Saturday. The chair carried the first skiers up the mountain and was selected since this is the ski area’s 50th year of operation. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Skiers wait their turn to board the new Legends Express quad chairlift that opened for service at Purgatory Resort Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Skiers head down the slopes of Purgatory Resort beneath the new Legends Express quad chairlift that opened for service Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Purgatory Resort owner James Coleman, left, high-fives some of the first riders to go up the mountain on the new Legends Express quad chairlift at the ski area Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

The No. 50 chair of the new Legends Express quad chairlift at Purgatory Resort was decorated to celebrate the ski area’s 50th year of operation Saturday, where the first skiers of the new lift rode to the top of the mountain. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Purgatory Resort owner James Coleman, left, high-fives some of the first riders to go up on the new Legends Express quad chairlift at the ski area Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Skiers head down the slopes of Purgatory Resort beneath the new Legends Express quad chairlift that opened for service Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald

Purgatory Resort owner James Coleman, left, and Mike McCormack, senior vice president of mountain operations, prepare to open the new Legends Express quad chairlift at the ski area Saturday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald