San Juan Mountains, north of Durango, Colorado
Purgatory Resort
Purgatory is a Southwest Colorado ski resort off US Highway 550 between Durango and Silverton. Its Columbine learning area and main village lesson locations are distinct, which matters when a group combines first-time lessons, children's programs and a larger mountain day.
- US 550 approach from Durango
- Columbine learning area at Chair 7
- Lesson locations differ by program
Terrain and ability at Purgatory
The Columbine Beginner's Area is at the bottom of Chair 7. The resort offers lessons for a range of abilities and publishes a trail map for the broader mountain. Choose the lesson level and open runs first, then decide which friends will ski together.
Arrival, bases and lessons
Adult and youth group lesson instructions direct guests to Columbine, while younger children's programs use The Bear's Den in the Village Center and private lessons have their own meeting flags. Confirm the booking's location and check road conditions before driving from Durango.
Plan a Purgatory meetup
Give the invitation a specific base landmark, with rental collection completed before lesson check-in. Set a village break time for friends taking different programs. A group waiting between Lifts 1 and 4 should not expect to see a Columbine lesson check in there.
Use the meetup message planner to agree on your date, terrain, pace and meeting point.
Purgatory snow forecast
Forecast
Updated Sun, 12:32 AM MDT
- OvernightLow 42°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind S 5 mph
- SundayHigh 54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind S 5 to 15 mph
- Sunday NightLow 39°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind S 5 to 15 mph
- Columbus DayHigh 52°F
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Wind S 5 to 15 mph
- Monday NightLow 38°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind S 10 mph
- TuesdayHigh 49°F
Slight Chance T-storms
Wind S 10 mph
- Tuesday NightLow 32°F
Slight Chance T-storms
Wind SSE 5 to 10 mph
- WednesdayHigh 48°F
Chance T-storms
Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
- Wednesday NightLow 26°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind NNW 5 mph
- ThursdayHigh 53°F
Sunny
Wind NW 0 to 5 mph
- Thursday NightLow 30°F
Mostly Clear then Slight Chance T-storms
Wind NNE 0 to 10 mph
- FridayHigh 53°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind ESE 0 to 5 mph
- Friday NightLow 31°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance T-storms
Wind 0 mph
- SaturdayHigh 53°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Wind WSW 0 to 5 mph
Forecast for the resort’s coordinates from National Weather Service (opens in a new tab). Conditions vary with elevation. It is a weather forecast, not an avalanche or terrain assessment.
Forecast source: National Weather Service. Check the update time and the resort's current operating report before confirming your day.
Official sources for this mountain guide
Guide reviewed . Use these resort sources for current maps, lesson meeting points and visitor information. Confirm tickets, reservations and open terrain for your date.
- Purgatory location and transportation (opens in a new tab)
- Ski school meeting locations (opens in a new tab)
- Adult lessons and beginner area (opens in a new tab)
Ride Purgatory with SkiBuds
Find people to ski Purgatory with
Start with the date, terrain, pace, and a public meeting point. Confirm lift access and the resort's current report before the day. SkiBuds' rebuilt app is coming soon, with rider discovery and conversations to help you plan with ski and snowboard friends.
Use the snow forecast guide and powder-day group plan to confirm the weather together. Explore more Colorado mountains and riding meetups.