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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

Purgatory snow forecast

Forecast

Issued

First snow shown in this forecast: Sun, Nov 15, 2026. Slight Chance Snow Showers

  • Mon, Nov 9, 2026 (early hours)

    Clear

    Wind from the north-northeast, 5 mph (8 km/h)

    Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Mon, Nov 9, 2026

    Sunny

    Night: Clear

    Wind from the south-southeast, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 61°F (16°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Tue, Nov 10, 2026

    Mostly Sunny

    Night: Mostly Clear

    Wind from the north-northwest, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 58°F (14°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Wed, Nov 11, 2026

    Sunny

    Night: Clear

    Wind from the west-northwest, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 58°F (14°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Thu, Nov 12, 2026

    Sunny

    Night: Clear

    Wind from the west, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 58°F (14°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Fri, Nov 13, 2026

    Sunny

    Night: Partly Cloudy

    Wind from the southwest, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 54°F (12°C)Low 29°F (-2°C)
  • Sat, Nov 14, 2026

    Mostly Sunny

    Night: Partly Cloudy

    Wind calm (0 mph)

    High 52°F (11°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
  • Sun, Nov 15, 2026

    Slight Chance Snow Showers

    Wind from the south-southeast, 0 to 5 mph (0 to 8 km/h)

    High 50°F (10°C)

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. Leaving the ski area boundary? Check the regional avalanche forecast (opens in a new tab). Times are the resort’s local time.

Forecast source: National Weather Service. Check the update time and the resort's current operating report before confirming your day.

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 for Purgatory to agree on your date, terrain, pace and meeting point.

Official sources for this mountain guide

Guide checked against these official sources on . Use these resort sources for current maps, lesson meeting points and visitor information. Confirm tickets, reservations and open terrain for your date.

Purgatory official site → (opens in a new tab)

Spot something out of date? Email powwowllc1@gmail.com and we'll check it against the resort.

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.

Find ski buddiesFind snowboard friends

Use the snow forecast guide and powder-day group plan to confirm the weather together. Explore more Colorado mountains and riding meetups.

Resorts near Purgatory

Straight-line distance. Mountain roads make the drive longer.