Purgatory Resort plans to open Saturday and Sunday for skiing to allow powder hounds to enjoy the fresh snow the area is expected to receive through Thursday.
Snow is expected to be followed by sunny skies Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
“I think it’s going to put us in a great position for a final bonus weekend,” said Stacey Glaser, spokeswoman for the resort.
It will be the first time in history Purgatory has opened for skiing on the last weekend in May, according to a news release from the resort. The two additional days of skiing will cap off what already was the resort’s longest winter season in history. The resort closed for skiing May 4.
Closing day had a “fantastic” turn out, and Glaser said she hoped the bonus days of skiing would draw a similar number of skiers and snowboarders, but it was tough to know.
“This is totally unchartered territory,” she said.
Less than a dozen ski areas will be open in the U.S. this weekend – Purgatory is the southernmost resort, according to the news release.
The resort expects to open Lift 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with access to Lower Mercy, What, West Fork, Sas Psyche, El Diablo, Demon and Pitchfork Terrain Park.
The resort will also host the finish to the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s Quarter Horse race and open some of its summer activities Saturday.
Summer activities will include the Inferno Mountain Coaster, zip line, bungee trampoline, ropes course, scenic chairlift rides, treasure panning, gyro chair and bounce house.
The resort’s bike park remains closed, Glaser said.
U.S. Highway 550 northbound will be open Saturday morning, but drivers should expect delays between 7 and 10 a.m. because of the Iron Horse, Glaser said.
For more information about traffic, visit ironhorsebicycleclassic.com.
Purgatory will accept 2018-19 and 2019-20 season passes for skiing and snowboarding. Summer passes will be accepted for both summer and winter activities.
Discounted lift tickets will also be on sale.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
