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 meetup at Purgatory
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 Mon, 4:47 PM MDT
- TonightLow 37°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind 0 mph
- TuesdayHigh 56°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SSE 0 to 5 mph
- Tuesday NightLow 37°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph
- WednesdayHigh 55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
- Wednesday NightLow 42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
- ThursdayHigh 51°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SE 0 to 10 mph
- Thursday NightLow 38°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SSE 10 to 15 mph
- FridayHigh 46°F
Slight Chance T-storms
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
- Friday NightLow 31°F
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Wind E 0 to 5 mph
- SaturdayHigh 47°F
Chance Snow Showers
Wind SSE 0 to 5 mph
- Saturday NightLow 28°F
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Wind N 0 to 5 mph
- SundayHigh 51°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Wind SE 0 to 5 mph
- Sunday NightLow 31°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind 0 mph
- MondayHigh 50°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Wind S 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.