Unlike the resort towns built around a single mountain, Durango is a real, working small city with a colorful Old West downtown — and the skiing is one of several reasons to come. It anchors a corner of Colorado packed with railroads, ruins, rivers, and trails.
| Ski area | Purgatory Resort, ~25 mi north (independent — on the Power Pass, not Epic/Ikon) |
|---|---|
| Town elevation | ~6,500 ft (Durango); Purgatory base ~8,800 ft |
| Known for | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, historic downtown, Mesa Verde, mountain biking |
| Getting there | Fly Durango (DRO); ~6 hrs from Denver |
| Best for | A Western basecamp, families, rail + national-park trips |
Purgatory Resort
Purgatory is the ski area north of town on US-550, and it’s a refreshing change of pace: family-friendly, rarely crowded, and affordable, with terrain for every level across its tiered runs. Because it’s independent (it anchors the regional Power Pass rather than Epic or Ikon), a ski day here costs a fraction of the big I-70 resorts.
The railroad, the town & nearby
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a bucket-list steam train that chugs through the Animas River gorge to the old mining town of Silverton — a highlight of our Colorado scenic train rides guide. Downtown Durango is a National Historic District full of restaurants and breweries, and Mesa Verde National Park, with its ancient cliff dwellings, is under an hour west. In summer, Durango is a legendary mountain-biking town and a hub for rafting the Animas.
Lift tickets & passes
Purgatory is independent — it’s on the regional Power Pass, not Epic or Ikon — which is a big part of why it’s so affordable. Day tickets and the Power Pass are the main options. If you’ll ski more than a few days, a season pass almost always beats day-of window tickets. Our Epic vs. Ikon guide covers which mountains each pass includes. Direct lift-ticket and pass links are coming as we finalize our booking partners.
Where to stay in Durango
Durango has lodging across the range, from slopeside to in-town. Direct “check availability” booking links for Durango are coming as we finalize our booking partner. For how we think about choosing a base, see our where to stay guide.
Getting there
Durango is a long haul from the Front Range — roughly 6 hours by car — so many visitors fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO). If you drive, the US-550 “Million Dollar Highway” north toward Silverton and Ouray is one of the most spectacular (and hair-raising) mountain roads in the country.
Gear & what to pack
Deep cold, thin dry air, and intense high-altitude sun make layering and eye protection matter. Start with our base layers, ski gloves, and goggles guides, then the full Colorado ski packing list — and read up on altitude sickness before you go.
Durango FAQ
Is there skiing in Durango?
Yes — Purgatory Resort is about 25 miles north of town on US-550. It’s family-friendly, uncrowded, and independent (on the Power Pass, not Epic or Ikon), which keeps lift tickets affordable.
Is Purgatory on the Epic or Ikon pass?
Neither — Purgatory is independent and anchors the regional Power Pass. That’s a big reason a ski day there costs much less than at the I-70 resorts.
What is the Durango & Silverton railroad?
A historic narrow-gauge steam train that runs from Durango through the Animas River gorge to Silverton — one of the great scenic rail trips in the country. See our scenic train rides guide.
Is Durango near Mesa Verde?
Yes — Mesa Verde National Park, famous for its ancient cliff dwellings, is under an hour west of Durango, making the two an easy combined trip.
How do you get to Durango from Denver?
It’s about a 6-hour drive, so many visitors fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO). The scenic US-550 route north of town is spectacular but demanding in winter.
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