RACING, ROMANCE, FIREWORKS AND MORE AT PURGATORY THIS WEEKEND

Recent storm adds more than a foot of fresh snow; more than 14 feet so far this season.

February 9, 2010, Durango, CO – Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, or the more than 14 feet of snow that have fallen so far this season, it’s a great weekend to ski or ride at Purgatory. With a 66-inch mid-mountain base, Purgatory has some of the best skiing and riding in North America, plus a full lineup of events for the holiday weekend.

2ND ANNUAL BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE UPHILL/DOWNHILL RACE, SAT. 2/13
Purgatory hosts the second annual Backcountry Experience Uphill/Downhill, a fun and irreverent race up Pandemonium from the base area to the top of Lift 6 and down Styx back to the base area. Skis or split boards, only – no snowshoes. Costumes encouraged! $20 per racer, plus $15 refundable bib deposit. Pre-register at either Backcountry Experience location, or register on race day from 7-7:30 am at Hoody’s. Race starts at 8 am, competitors who have not reached the top of the mountain by 9 am must turn around and return to the base area. Call (970) 385-2261 for info.

FIREWORKS AND TORCHLIGHT PARADE, SAT. 2/13
At 7 pm, instructors from Purgatory’s Ski and Ride School will carry lit torches as they carve a brilliantly winding route down the front side of the mountain. As the procession arrives in the base area, a spectacular fireworks display will explode overhead.

PURGATORY CUP SLALOM, SUN. 2/14
The Purgatory Cup race series is open to skiers ages 4 and above and all ability levels. Race-day registration will be held Sunday, 2/14, from 7:45-9 a.m. at Hoody’s. $8 per racer, per event for children under 12, and $15 per racer, per event for racers ages 12 and up. Racer lift tickets are available for $25 with race registration. Races start at 10 a.m., and an awards ceremony will be held in the evening at Hoody’s. For more information and for race-day weather and safety updates, please call (970) 385-2149.

7th ANNUAL SKI FOR EDUCATION TO BENEFIT DFEE, MON. 2/15
Durango Mountain Resort and Bank of Colorado present the 7th annual Ski for Education Day to benefit the Durango Foundation for Educational Excellence. Full-day lift tickets for Monday, Feb. 15, are just $25 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance in Durango at City Market (North and South), PJ’s Gourmet Market, Nature’s Oasis, and Albertsons and in Farmington at Zia Sporting Goods and Three Rivers Eatery & Brewhouse. Tickets are limited and will not be sold at the mountain. Ticket sales end at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15. Visit www.DFEE.net or call (970) 385-2168 for info.

COMING UP: STYX ENDURO, SUN. 2/28
Start training now for the Styx Enduro, coming up on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 9 am to 3 pm. Two-person teams will race to complete the most laps up the Six Pack and down Styx. Both team members must finish each lap for it to count. Entry fee is $50 per team, and race-day lift tickets for individual competitors are available for $25 each. Details and registration information will be available soon at www.skipurg.com/enduro.