Month: January 2024

After a long day of hitting the slopes at Purgatory Ski Resort, there’s nothing better than kicking back with friends and family over good food and drinks. From the slopes to downtown Durango to right here at Glacier, you’ll find plenty of options for continuing the fun after skiing. Here are our go-to spots to aprés right now. 

Prospector | Glacier

Located in the Valley Clubhouse, Prospector at Glacier offers the ultimate aprés setting framed by panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains. After a day on the slopes, join us from 4pm to 6pm for good chat, great drinks and delicious eats like French onion soup and lobster mac.  And the best part of it all? You’re already home. 

The Bear Bar | Purgatory

The Bear Bar at Purgatory Ski Resort is best for soaking in the San Juan Mountain views, listening to live tunes, sipping Bloody Marys and socializing slopeside. Here, you can warm up in the sunshine in the iconic Adirondack chairs on Purgatory’s famous “Ski Beach” while listening to live music. The Bear Bar is located right at the base of the Purgatory Village Express ski lift (Lift 1) for easy access.

The Nugget | Durango

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Just half-a-mile south of Purgatory, The Nugget is a quintessential ski-lodge themed bar featuring a food truck, patio seating with fire pits and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Pull up an Adirondack chair by the fire and indulge in mouthwatering eats like sliders and fries while enjoying live music with a beer in hand. It doesn’t get any better than that. 

11th Street Station | Downtown Durango

The 11th Street Station in downtown Durango is a unique culinary collective housed in a former 1920s car repair shop and gas station, now home to a variety of popular Durango food trucks encircling Ernie’s Bar built into the original service station. From tacos to sushi and gourmet sliders, each locally owned food truck offers diverse, crave-worthy fare in a relaxed open-air setting right in the heart of downtown.

Ska Brewing | Durango

Image: ska-brewing-co.club

Ska Brewing in Durango has been brewing beer since 1995 and offers their signature brews like True Blonde Ale alongside rotating seasonal and specialty small-batch beers on tap in their modern tasting room. With a casual food truck culture and lively vibe, Ska Brewing is a laidback aprés hotspot where you can sample the latest creations from one of the region’s original craft breweries.

Located just 10+ minutes north of Glacier is Colorado’s beloved Purgatory Ski Resort, offering 1,600 skiable acres and 105 trails of epic downhill skiing and snowboarding right in our backyard. As locals with seamless access to the resort during ski season (and all seasons), we have our go-to runs that provide the best skiing and riding experience on the mountain. Here’s our guide to the top trails you won’t want to miss this winter.

Expert Favorites

For advanced and expert skiers and boarders seeking steep pitches and long, ungroomed cruisers, Purgatory has plenty of black diamonds and moguls to keep you satisfied. Top picks include:

• Pandemonium: Accessible via the #1 and #6 lifts, Pandemonium features demanding moguls and few crowds.
• Steep Styx (off of #6) & Bull Run (off of #5): Steep, deep and powder-rich, offering challenging runs even for the most experienced skiers and boarders.
• Monkey Gully, Monkey Brains & Monkey Launch Chutes: All depicted on the trail map as extreme terrain via lift #6; be mindful this zone is outside resort boundaries and not patrolled.

Intermediate Must-Skis

Did you know 45% of the trails at Purgatory are devoted to intermediate riders? For moderate cruising that takes in the mountain’s beautiful alpine scenery, check out these blue favorites:

• Boogie & Peace: Off the #3 lift, these runs are plenty of fun with a terrain-park feel. 
• Dead Spike: Off of chair #5, this trail is often split groomed for a mix of easy and challenging.
• Legends: The perfect run for intermediate skiers and boarders looking to push their limits on wide-open terrain; accessible via chairs #3 and #5. 

Best for Beginners

New skiers and boarders at Purgatory have plenty of options perfectly suited for learning. Here are the green circle trails not to miss:

• Divinity & Columbine: All trails off of chair #4 are green, including Divinity & Columbine for easy, half-mountain groomers.
• Mercy: If you’re ready to hit the summit, hop on chair #6 and take Mercy down for a fun, cruisey run.

Whether you’re an expert bombing steep chutes or a beginner making your first pizza slices, Purgatory Ski Resort offers premier skiing and riding for all abilities right in Glacier’s backyard. Ready to see what it’s all about? Contact us today.