Purgatory Now Offers Night Skiing

Officials at Purgatory Resort announced it began offering night skiing on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 for the first time in more than 15 years.  
 
Starting on Saturday, Purgatory will operate the Graduate Lift 7 in the Columbine area from 9am to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 9am to 7pm Sundays through Thursdays.   Night skiing hours begin at 4pm in the Columbine area and will be offered 7 days a week until Purgatory's sister resort, Hesperus Ski Area, has sufficient snow to open and offer night skiing.
 
The trails “Ski Way” and “Graduate,” which are currently open during the day, will be available for skiing after the sun goes down.  Crews are currently working to open additional trails and lifts in the Columbine area.
 
Purgatory’s mountain crews have been working around the clock making snow, pushing it out, and grooming the slopes to provide skiers and snowboarders with a great early season skiing experience.  Crews have opened more terrain and more lifts since the resort first opened for the season on Nov. 18.
 
“We’re always looking for ways to expand skiing, and enhance our guests’ enjoyment on the slopes,” stated Colin McBeath, general manager at Purgatory Resort. "We’re excited to offer night skiing again at Purgatory, which was last offered at the resort approximately 17 years ago.”
Night skiing lift tickets are $25, available at the Ticket Office in the Plaza or in the Columbine area.  Those who purchase a day lift ticket at Purgatory may also use it to ski that night.  Purgatory season passes and Hesperus season passes are also valid for night skiing.
 
"You can now enjoy top to bottom skiing during the day and then continue your fun on the snow under the lights at Purgatory,” stated McBeath.  “It’s the perfect way to end your day.”  
 
The Elevation Station, located in the Columbine area, will be open starting tomorrow, Dec. 16 offering handcrafted chili and soup, mac and cheese, and beer, wine, soda and hot cocoa.  Elevation Station will be open Fridays and Saturdays 4pm to 9pm, and 4pm to 7pm Sundays through Thursdays.

Purgatory Resort has existing lights in the Columbine area, plus portable lights that it will use to illuminate the night trails.  Purgatory will offer night skiing until Hesperus Ski Area, also owned by the group that operates Purgatory Resort, has sufficient snow and opens for the season.
 
Hesperus Ski Area is located approximately 12 miles west of Durango and recently delayed its opening due to unseasonably warm and dry weather.  Hesperus does not have snowmaking and relies on natural snow for operations.  Throughout the season, Hesperus offers skiing during the day on weekends and night skiing six days out of the week.