Rugged, wild, and remote, the San Juan Mountains are a hidden gem in the Rockies. Luckily, word is spreading and the area is becoming a destination not only for Purgatory Snowcat Adventure snowcat guests but for all adventurers seeking Colorado powder. Check out the options below in this travel planner to create a custom Colorado skiing and snowboarding trip. Please don’t hesitate to call our information line – (970) 375-6112 – if you have questions or need additional information when planning your vacation.
Many lodging options are available. Check out our specials page for current deals!
Purgatory Resort
A family-friendly ski area with plenty of terrain to suit everyone and every ability. It’s also our home base of operations. For more info visit purgatoryresort.com.
Purgatory Nordic Center: Located across the highway from Purgatory Resort, the Nordic Center has 15 km of groomed trails with incredible views. Equipment rentals are available.
Snowshoe tours: Two tours leave daily at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm from Purgatory Resort and include snowshoes, guide and scenic chairlift ride to the top of the mountain. Alpenglow tours also available!
Sleigh Rides: Offered daily, sleigh rides are pulled by beautiful Belgian and Percheron Draft horses and depart from Purgatory’s base area.
National Parks & Monuments: Durango is the perfect base to explore nearby sights.
Helitrax
Located in Telluride, Helitrax operates at the highest elevations in North America. For more info visit helitrax.com
Silverton Mountain Heli
In addition to the hike-to terrain, Silverton offers heli bumps a la carte. For more info visit silvertonmountain.com
Kling Mountain Guides: Durango and DMR-based Kling Mountain Guides offers skiing, ski mountaineering, avalanche education and ice climbing. Trips are custom tailored to your needs—from the first-time-in-the-backcountry skier to the big mountain freeskier. Kling Mountain Guides has an office at DMR and in Backcountry Experience in Durango. For more info visit klingmountainguides.com
Southwest Adventure Guides: Whether you are a resort skier or rider looking to venture into the backcountry or an experienced backcountry skier or rider who wants to hit the best tours the area has to offer, Southwest Adventure Guides can put it together for you. For more info visit swaguides.com
Red Mountain Enterprises, LCC: Steeped in mining history, the Addie’s and the Mountain Belle huts are an easy tour in from the highway between Silverton and Ouray. Both cabins have awesome backcountry skiing and riding right out the door. The Addie’s sleeps twelve, and the Mountain Belle sleeps eight. For more info visit skihuts.com
St. Paul Ski Lodge and St. Paul Backcountry Hut: Located off highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray, the St. Paul Lodge sleeps up to 24 people, has a fully-equipped kitchen with meals prepared three times a day by the proprietor/chef, and has hot water, including showers. The hut is a mile tour in from the highway and sleeps six. Both the lodge and the hut have front-door access to incredible terrain! For more info visit skistpaul.com
