Celebrate the 2011/2012 Season at Purgatory April 1, 2012!

There’s NO Joking around with the End of Season Festivities!

Durango, CO: Purgatory received more than 200 inches of snow this winter, making for excellent skiing and riding. Some of the highlights for the season include adding new equipment to its mountain operations and providing additional experiences for its guests. Purgatory added to its grooming fleet a new Prinoth Bison X with Sherpa Winch that allowed the mountain crew to accomplish “high angle grooming” on some of the steeps. January was national “Learn to Ski/Ride Month,” and Purgatory offered deeply discounted packages that included lift tickets, lessons and ski/snowboard rentals, providing first timers with everything they needed to get started. Purgatory also added the new Pinkerton Starter Park to the terrain park mix and enhanced the Animas City Adventure Park with cool new features. Alpine Chic, a new ladies clothing, footwear and accessories store in Purgatory Village Plaza opened this winter. And last but not least, debuting for its first winter season was the Purgatory Plunge Zipline that gave skiers and riders a new après ski activity over Purgatory Beach, an experience unique to most ski resorts during the wintertime.

To celebrate such a great season, Purgatory is hosting an End of Season Party on the final day of operations, Sunday, April 1, 2012. There will be drink specials, BBQ’s on the decks at the Powderhouse and Dante’s, live music with the Robby Overfield Band from 3-6pm and fun on the Beach. Discounted lift tickets are available on Mar. 31 and Apr. 1; prices are $50 for Adults, $39 for Students(13yrs-12th grade)/Silvers (62-64), and $29 for Kids (6-12yrs.)/Goldens (65+). Season Passholders can bring a friend through the end of the season for only $39 (limit one $39 lift ticket per passholder). Weekday passes are also valid on Mar. 31 and Apr. 1.

Skiers and riders can enjoy great spring conditions through April 1. All lifts will be operating and hours are 9:30am-4:30pm. The backside of the mountain closes at 4pm. The Durango Mountain Resort Skier Shuttle that runs from Durango to Purgatory will operate Fri., Mar. 30 through Sun., Apr. 1. The shuttle schedule is available at www.skipurg.com/transportation.

Other activities at Durango Mountain Resort will also be open Mar. 31 and Apr. 1, noon to 6pm, including the exciting new Purgatory Plunge Zipline and the popular Plaza activities, including the Bungee Trampoline, Mechanical Bull Ride and Bouncy House. Other resort activities include guided snowshoe tours of the backcountry that leave the resort at 9am and 1pm.
Named one of Colorado’s top on-mountain restaurants, the Backside Bistro will be open Mar. 30 – 31, featuring incredible mountain vistas and delicious dishes. Durango Mountain Resort’s other signature establishments will also be open all weekend, including Purgy’s, the Bear Bar, Village Market & Deli and Hoody’s. Creekside Italian Kitchen will be open all weekend with 30 percent off menu items and other drink specials. There will be BBQ’s on the decks on Sunday at the Powderhouse and Dante’s. Retail shops in the Plaza are having special end of season sales, including the Expert Edge on the second level of Purgatory Village.
Purgatory ends its season operations April 1 and will re-open for summer activities on May 26 for the fourth annual Quarter Horse to Purgatory, part of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. The resort will open on a daily basis for summer activities starting June 2, 2012.

Durango Mountain Resort is recognized as a top family-friendly resort. Purgatory features 88 trails, five terrain parks and 1,360 skiable acres. With 10 chairlifts and rarely any lines, it’s simple to zip around the mountain and enjoy the spectacular scenery amidst the rugged San Juan Mountains. For more information or to book a vacation, call 800-525-0892, visit www.durangomountainresort.com, or follow us on www.facebook.com/skipurg and www.twitter.com/skipurg.