Purgatory sets Nov. 20 opening; tickets under $50, new terrain

Purgatory is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 20, weather permitting. This winter brings the debut of the Colorado Couloir lift, opening about 40 acres of new advanced and expert terrain with five new trails and gladed tree skiing in one of Purgatory's steepest areas. Purgatory is also expanding snowmaking on Divinity Trail, while new nonstop United Airlines service between Houston and Durango begins Dec. 19.

Lift tickets at Purgatory Resort are currently priced below $50 on 95 days during the 2026–27 ski season, including $9 tickets on select dates. That’s about 70% of its scheduled operating days. Kids 12 and younger ski free all season with the Power Kids Pass, with no blackout dates.

“There’s a lot of attention on the Southwest with El Niño strengthening, and we’re giving skiers more reasons to visit Purgatory,” said Dave Rathbun, CEO of Purgatory Resort. “Colorado Couloir is bringing new advanced and expert trails and gladed tree skiing to one of the steepest parts of the mountain. We’re keeping lift tickets affordable, and with new nonstop service from Houston, there are some good reasons to start planning now.”

Lift tickets start at $9 on select dates, with eligible advance-purchase tickets including $10 in Purgatory Cash to spend at the resort. Purgatory uses demand-based pricing, with the lowest prices available to guests who buy early. Advance lift tickets can be exchanged for Purgatory resort credit until 11:59 p.m. the day before they’re valid.

Colorado Couloir

Colorado Couloir will expand Purgatory’s skiable terrain by about 40 acres, adding five new advanced and expert trails and gladed tree skiing in one of the resort’s steepest areas. Two new connector trails will tie the terrain into the rest of the mountain.

The lift will also create a new way to reach the upper mountain. Starting at the Gelande parking area, skiers and riders will be able to ride directly to the upper mountain and access the backside terrain, eliminating the shuttle previously required to start the day from Gelande.

Expanded Snowmaking

Purgatory is adding 13 acres of snowmaking coverage to Divinity Trail, extending from the top of Twilight Chair (Lift 4) to its midway loading station. The additional coverage is expected to help connect beginner terrain to the base area earlier in the season and provide more consistent conditions throughout the winter.

The project builds on Purgatory’s focus on beginner terrain. The resort was named the No. 1 ski area for beginners in North America in OnTheSnow’s 2025–26 Visitors’ Choice Awards.

New Nonstop Houston-Durango Flights

Travelers from Houston will have a new nonstop option to reach Purgatory this winter with United Airlines service to Durango-La Plata County Airport, about 50 minutes from the resort.

The new service begins Dec. 19 and will operate Wednesdays and Saturdays through March 27, 2027, aboard a 70-seat Embraer E-175. The Houston route joins existing year-round nonstop service to Durango from Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix.

Learn more at purgatory.ski or follow Purgatory on Instagram and Facebook.