Snowy winter playground of Durango
It’s snow season, and what better place to experience the Colorado high country’s majesty?
The snow season has blasted into the high country and transformed Durango, Colo., into a white, wintery playground.
Crystal powder makes Purgatory Mountain (purgatoryresort.com) a must shush for skiers and snowboarders, especially after the ownership invested in a super-fast quad lift that helps haul people to the top of the mountain in rapid fashion. It’s opened up the backside to new and exciting trails.
“Purgatory’s Lift 8 replacement is one of the most ambitious and impactful changes undertaken at this resort in more than a decade,” said James Coleman, managing partner for the resort.
The new lift that takes riders on a journey of nearly a mile while climbing about 1,500 vertical feet will move riders to the top in less than five minutes.
The addition of two new trails off of the ridge, as well an easier route to the bottom complements the new lift.
Next to Purgatory, nothing puts the town on the map like the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (durangotrain.com) that chugs through the Animas River Valley with majestic views of the San Juan Mountains.
Carving a path between the two former mining towns, the coal-and-steam-fired train makes frequent stops to allow riders to get off and take photos and enjoy the majesty of the surroundings.
The New Year’s Day brunch train is one of the highlights of the season as premium seating includes a personal attendant in each car, live music, hot buffet, a glass of champagne or sparkling cider, dessert buffet and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip.
Adding to the backwoods experience and all-day adventure, the train has combined with Ice Pirates Snowmobile Tours (dgoicepirates.com) for a halfday train ride followed by a two-hour snowmobile tour along Molas Pass.
And when it comes to snow play, tubing or sledding down Chapman Hill (durangogov.org/index.aspx?NID=544) within the town limits is an inexpensive way to enjoy the feeling of flying downhill.
When it comes to unique,
outdoors adventure, it’s hard to top standing behind a team of dogs speeding through the snow, said Gregg Dubit, owner of Durango Dog Ranch.
The choices feature onehour introduction rides, halfday rides and full-day rides, said Dubit, who boasts 20 years of experience.
“It’s very hands-on,” he said. “Everybody who wants to gets a chance to drive the sled. We encourage interaction between the guests and the dogs.”
Patrons even help hook up the animals, he said.
The trails traverse “some of the moist rugged, beautiful terrain on earth,” Dubit said. “You cut the through the woods and through the valleys, mostly on trails and forest service roads. It’s mindblowing scenery.”
If that sounds like too much work, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the area is an elegant alternative to enjoy the splendor.
Prairie Fire Percherons (facebook.com/PrairieFirePercherons) is one of several area companies that offer the service. Percherons uses the River Bend Ranch, which covers 110 acres near the Animas River.
The 45-minute ride features the red rock cliffs on Missionary Ridge on one side and sculpted sandstone cliffs on the other.
“We have hot chocolate for the guests and sometimes they like to bring marshmallows or hot dogs and we’ll build them a bonfire,” said owner Dave Harwood.
After all the many activities, however, soaking in the warm, soothing waters of the Trimble Spa & Natural Springs (trimblehotsprings.wordpress.com) helps ease aching muscles.
Just north of Durango, the spa features two natural, outdoor hot springs that are iron-based “so you don’t have that sulfury smell that you get from some hot springs,” said Bobbie Hassel, spa manager.
The spa also features an outdoor, fully heated Olympicsized swimming pool, saunas, massage and other services.
Amenities include a honeymoon suite as well as a family guest cottage for overnight guests, Hassel said.