Nestled in the southwest corner of Colorado, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, Silverton, Telluride and Wolf Creek are four very different ski resorts with one thing in common - superior Colorado skiing.
Combined, these four resorts offer 11,300 vertical feet on more than 6600 acres of skiable terrain. Individually, they offer lift accessible, guided backcountry skiing (Silverton), the only helicopter skiing operation in Colorado (Telluride), the largest snowcat skiing operation in the state (35,000 acres at Durango), and last season, the most snow in the state (nearly 500 inches of powder at Wolf Creek).
With Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) and Durango La Plata County Airport (DRO), colorado's southwest corner is easily accessible with direct flights or a connecting flight through Denver International Airport (DEN). A visit to Durango, Silverton, Telluride and Wolf Creek can be condensed into one week or less, as all four of these resorts are located within two hours of each other, guaranteeing that precious turns won't be lost to travel time.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
At Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, guests can hit the slopes as a family by signing up for Durango's family lessons. Families can learn to ski/ride in the same group from the same instructor despite varying abilities.Many people have utilized these lessons to teach beginner skiers in the family while the more experienced members utilize the instructor as a personal tour guide, picking up pointers along the way.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is also home to the only Snow Monsters Children's Ski and Snowboard school in the country, working closely with the Snow Monsters program to teach children how to ski/ride and advance their current skills.
For those looking for an out of bounds experience, the 35,000 acres of snowcat terrain should suffice. Based at Durango Mountain Ski Resort, the San Juan Ski Company is Colorado's largest snowcat skiing operation. Escorted by experienced guides, skiers and riders will find untracked bowls, chutes, ridges, glades and treed slopes in an area that receives between 20 and 30 feet of snow each season.
Silverton Mountain
It's been said that the best non-ski activity at Silverton Mountain is sleep. If you visit, you'll know why. No place for the faintof- heart, Silverton Mountain is an extreme skiers dream. The highest ski area in North America with a peak of 13,487 feet, a single chairlift unloads at the top of a beautiful cirque which provides easy hiking along a ridge to access the mountain's 1,819 acres of snow fields. With some of the steepest slopes offered at any resort in Colorado, there are loads of bowls, chutes, cliffs and wonderful natural terrain features to be discovered.
Skiers and riders at Silverton Mountain venture into new terrain on a daily basis, providing fresh powder opportunities long after the most recent snowfall. Silverton caps the number of unguided skiers at 475 per day, but most days Silverton sees less than 80 skiers on the mountain. During early and late season guests will find unguided skiing opportunities, but during the heart of winter Silverton Mountain offers guided skiing only.
Telluride Ski Resort
A five minute shuttle ride from Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), accessing Telluride Ski Resort couldn't be easier. Once there, guests will find a unique mountain town that has retained its historic roots. Funky shops, original flare and unique characters are as commonplace as the great service, terrain and accommodations you'll find during your visit.
Telluride is opening new terrain for the 2008-09 ski season. Revelation Bowl features European-style terrain, located directly off the back side of famous Gold Hill and Chair 14. Situated above tree line, the natural, wide-open bowl offers advanced and expert skiing in an unbelievably scenic setting. From the top of the new Revelation lift, skiers and riders will be able to choose ridgelines in either direction, offering steeper pitches and rock features on the far sides of the powder bowl. The center touts an expanse of rolling, advanced terrain with a groomed path for cruising.
Even if you've explored the entire mountain, the sky's the limit with heli-skiing. Telluride's Helitrax is the only heli-skiing operation in Colorado and provides an untracked, pristine powder experience for small custom groups on the highest helicopter-accessed terrain in North America.
Wolf Creek
Ask any skier who lives in Colorado what Wolf Creek is known for, and you will hear a resounding "snow." Last season, to the excitement of everyone who visited, Wolf Creek received the most snow in Colorado (41 feet of it to be exact) which ensured powder days and face shots galore. Less known, however, is everything else that makes Wolf Creek one of the best resorts in southwest Colorado.
For starters, Wolf Creek is unassuming. Upon arriving, guests will notice a small base area with parking nearby. Guests who ski and snowboard at Wolf Creek run the gamut from a never-ever skier, to local expert who can ski glades with their eyes closed. The resort takes pride in its friendly employees, lift attendants, and ski patrollers who are always willing to stop and lend a helping hand or direct you to little known powder stashes that stay fresh long after the
last snow storm.
Speaking of lending a hand, Wolf Creek provides a free shuttle for skiers and snowboarders accessing its four backcountry access gates located on top of Wolf Creek's ridgeline. Every half hour the shuttle picks skiers up from the top of the Continental Divide on Wolf Creek Pass and returns them to the ski area.
A tree lover's paradise, more than 1000 acres of glade skiing exists at Wolf Creek. Its seven lifts serve everything from chutes and drops, to glades and groomers. Even the little ones have a place of their own. The Wolf Pup Center, designed especially for children ages 5 to 8 years, contains a pint sized Magic Carpet lift, tables, chairs and restroom facilities.
Whether you're a lifelong skier looking for an affordable bunk, cheap eats, and an intense ski experience, or your family is looking for lush accommodations, fine food, and plenty of beginner terrain with great ski instructors, a southwest Colorado ski adventure is sure to please.
