We wish. The little mountain that could turns 64 this year, and once again, the old double chairlift’s bull wheel won’t be turning (Herald, Sept. 19). Hesperus has faced its share of challenges, especially as a ski area without snowmaking. Last year, it remained closed because of a $200,000 lift repair.
Hesperus has long been a beloved starter hill, which likely drew the attention of James Coleman, founder of Mountain Capital Partners, who acquired it in 2016. As a feeder area for Purgatory and other MCP resorts in the Southwest and beyond, Hesperus has offered beginner-friendly terrain at an affordable price –$48 for a full day or $36 for a half day or night skiing in 2023-24. Compared to $300-plus day tickets at larger Colorado resorts, it remains remarkably accessible. As one devotee said, “It’s been a great resource to the community.” The Herald’s editorial board agrees and hopes to see the 700-foot vertical hill thrive again, if not under MCP, then possibly through a community co-op ownership model (think Vermont’s Mad River Glen).
We’re not privy to the finances, but operating a small ski area is costly, even with a volunteer patrol, as Hesperus has enjoyed for over 50 years (Herald, Nov. 4, 2016). Major expenses include lifts, grooming, snowmaking, instructors, rentals, concessions, and popular attractions such as night skiing and tubing – activities for which Hesperus is famous.
Hesperus’ story began in the late 1950s when Jack Scott’s family ran a small rope tow on their ranch west of Durango. After closing it due to operational challenges a year later, the Hare brothers from Bloomfield, New Mexico – Bill, Wilbur and Bruce – leased the property and built a new tow powered by the engine, transmission and rear axle of a Chevrolet pickup hauled to the top of the hill. In 1962, with a gravel lot and growing public interest, the Hares officially opened the hill, charging $1.50 for a full day, eventually rising to $4 (Herald, Feb. 13, 2023).
Decades later, Jim Pitcher bought Hesperus in 1988. Pitcher added lights for night skiing, and kept ticket prices among the lowest in the region. His stewardship helped establish Hesperus as an affordable, community-focused mountain that has proven to be a training ground for generations of skiers and snowboarders.
The Hesperus ski patrol is also known for its annual November ski swap, taking place on Sat., Nov. 8 (Herald, Nov. 4, 2016). This year, locals can also participate in Purgatory Ski Resort’s 60th-anniversary kickoff and ski/snowboard swap on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with food, live music, boot fittings, wax specials, giveaways and more.
Though modest and sometimes beleaguered, Hesperus endures as a cornerstone of the local skiing community – a mountain where generations of families have learned to ski and snowboard uniquely at night, inner tubed, and experienced the simple joy of snow. Its enduring charm lies not in luxury, but in accessibility, history, and community spirit – a true little mountain that could. Here’s hoping for another day.
[Editor’s note: This editorial has been updated to omit the incorrect reference to Jim Pitcher purchasing Wolf Creek Ski Area in 1984. Wolf Creek has been owned and operated by another Pitcher family since 1976. The current owner and operators are Davey and his wife, Roseanne Pitcher. The editorial was also updated to include the date of the Hesperus Ski Swap which will be taking place on Nov.8. ]
