2007 Benefit Day Recipients Announced

News Release
October 31, 2007
Loryn Kasten
970-385-2131
lkasten@durangomountain.com

PURGATORY ANNOUNCES 2007 BENEFIT DAY RECIPIENTS
Durango Winter Sports Foundation and Durango Nature Studies team up for Benefit Day

Durango, CO – Ski season is right around the corner and locals are already getting their gear ready for another great season. To kick things off, Purgatory will host the 15th annual Benefit Day on December 1st with $15 tickets and all proceeds benefiting the Durango Winter Sports Foundation and Durango Nature Studies.

In its 15th year, Durango Mountain Resort has decided to change the Benefit Day lift ticket to $15 to be able to pass the proceeds on to two organizations, where as in the past only one organization was the beneficiary. $10 of each lift ticket will go to a new local non-profit organization selected each year by a panel of Durango Mountain Resort employees. This year’s benefactor is the Durango Nature Studies, which will use the funds to repair the South Bridge at the organization’ s facility and add a new information kiosk next to the Lion’s Den pavilion. Durango Nature Studies is dedicated to providing environmental education to children and adults in the Four Corners.

“Everyone at DNS is thrilled to be selected as this year’s Benefit Day recipient,” says Allison Pease, director of Durango Nature Studies. “This is a great partnership between two organizations dedicated to getting people outside and connecting them to nature in safe, fun and rewarding ways.”

Following similar Benefit Day models at other Colorado resorts, Durango Winter Sports Foundation has been selected as a recipient of $5 of each Benefit Day ticket for this season and in years to come.

“We see the Durango Winter Sports Foundation as an organization that can grow with Benefit Day funds each year and help us continue our goal of keeping children active in winter sports’” says Hank Thiess, the resort’s president of operations.

Purgatory’s Benefit Day has raised more than $200,000 for local non-profit organizations in La Plata County since 1993.  Previous benefactors include Trails 200, Durango Discovery Museum and the Durango Arts Center.  Benefit Day tickets can be purchased from DSWF members, Durango Nature Studies, Magpies and local supermarkets closer to the event date.  For more information please visit www.skipurg.com.

-www.durangomountainresort.com-