Hesperus Ski Area, located 12 miles west of Durango on U.S. Highway 160, closed for the season Monday.
Hesperus, known locally for its night skiing, was open for more than 65 days this season, a huge improvement from a year ago when the ski area closed Feb. 16 after an unreasonably warm winter and Chinook winds.
This year, rain and high daytime temperatures brought an end to Hesperus’ season. This year, early-season storms helped Hesperus stay open until early March, and it usually targets the middle of March for its closing day. A dry and warm February made it difficult to last any longer.
“We appreciate our season pass holders, our home school groups, our media contacts, our Facebook friends and all who support Hesperus Ski Area. Have a great summer,” owner Jim Pitcher said in an email to The Durango Herald.
Hesperus opened for the season Dec. 23 to more than twice the amount of snow it had opening day a year earlier.
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