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Santa Claus brought a sliver of snow and strong business to the Durango area this holiday season, according to representatives of Durango Hot Springs and Purgatory Resort on Friday.
Durango Hot Springs Operations Manager Mason Quick said the hot springs and Purgatory share many guests, who hit the slopes during the day and return to town to soak it up in the springs’ therapeutic water.
“This time of year, Durango has a very healthy economy, especially with hospitality and tourism,” he said. “So it's just something that we're all very happy about, the great visitation between Purgatory, the hot springs and the train,” he said.
Durango Hot Springs’ spa proves popular during the holidays, particularly for new esthetician services such as facials, infrared light therapy and Animas River stone massages and therapy. Quick said the hot springs have been pushing holiday gift boxes, certificates and cards for the holidays, which visitors and locals alike have taken advantage of.
Destination visitors and locals have made up most of the hot springs’ market this holiday season, which has had a steady stream of visitors in line with previous Decembers, he said.
“Locals like to bring in their family members that aren't from the area and/or friends that have never seen this area or this side of Colorado before,” Quick said.
Most travelers to the hot springs are within the “drive market,” meaning they are within driving distance of Durango. But, he said, it sees a fair amount of travelers from abroad, especially from European and Asian countries where hot springs and spas are highly valued.
Purgatory Marketing Manager Matt Ericksen said skiers enjoyed 82 out of 107 trails serviced by 10 lifts on Friday after receiving 9 inches of fresh snow over Wednesday and Thursday and another 4 inches of snow Thursday night into Friday morning. More snow is on the way too, by the looks of the forecast.
“It looks like another couple of storms are coming in,” he said, referencing a storm incoming Friday and another storm expected on Sunday. “... Our snowmaking team has been hard at work to make the mountain what it is right now, which is in fantastic shape. And then with Mother Nature's help, obviously, the mountains have gotten even better.”
He said he expects more trails to open by Sunday.
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona license plates were abound in the ski resort’s parking lot over the holiday, he said, and locals’ pent-up demand for skiing is also evident.
He attributed Purgatory’s strong seasonal business, which he said may be the best the resort’s had in recent years, to low ticket prices and crew work to prepare the mountain for the winter.
“Our mountain ops crew had commented that even our sledding hill is (in) the best shape that it's been in, maybe ever,” he said. “We've redesigned that hill and that approach to sledding.”
Erickson added that the backside of the mountain is in good condition for backcountry skiing.
“The mountain is in really good shape everywhere,” he said.
cburney@durangoherald.com
