Thanks to recent snowstorms, the Hesperus Ski Area will open Friday at 4 p.m.
The ski lift and tubing hill will be open daily from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Hesperus Lodge, snack bar, rental shop, and ski and boarding school also are open.
Thursday, uphill skiers were invited to help pack the slopes’ fresh snow.
The recent storms came just in time, said Theresa Graven, of Treehouse Communications.
“We were worried opening day would have to be delayed, then the snow fell. It’s a Christmas miracle!” she said.
Lift tickets are $46 for adults, $38 for teens and $39 for seniors. Tubing is open whenever skiing is available and costs $15 for the first person, $10 for the second person in the same family. Tubes are available.
After the holidays, Hesperus plans to offer night skiing on Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For Friday night skiing and riding, college students can buy a lift ticket for $23. The deal is available for students, faculty and staff with a valid college identification.
Also, Hesperus honors active military personnel by offering free lift tickets every day and night of the season. Active military identification card must be presented.
The resort also offers an uphill access pass that allows skiers and boarders to climb up the hill then ski or ride down during closed hours.
The uphill pass is available at Purgatory Sports in Durango. Uphill skiing is not allowed during normal operating hours. Park on the east end of the parking lot near the rental shop. Do not park on the highway.
Uphillers must stay clear of grooming and operations. Dogs are welcome for uphillers as long as their owners clean up after them.
The Hesperus Ski Area is 33 miles east of Cortez and 11 miles west of Durango on U.S. Highway 160. It has 13 trails, one chairlift and 60 skiable acres – 30% beginner, 20% intermediate and 50% advanced terrain. It is the largest night skiing operation in the Four Corners.
Opened in 1962, the summit is 8,800-foot base is 8,100 feet with a 700-foot vertical drop. Average annual snowfall is 150 inches.
Hesperus has something for everyone – steep headwalls, easy cruisers, tree skiing, moguls, skiing under the stars, tubing and bunny hills for beginners.
“It’s great for kids to learn, and is fantastic for midweek powder days,” said Shannon Livick. “With night skiing, you can hit the slopes after work.”
The Hesperus Ski Area is managed by Mountain Capital Partners, which also manages Purgatory Resort along with a collection of ski resorts and mountain bike parks in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas.
For more information and ticket prices, visit www.ski-hesperus.com or call 385-2199.
