Huge storm hits Purgatory

News Release
January 6, 2007
Loryn Kasten
970-385-2131
lkasten@durangomountain.com

HUGE STORM STARTS NEW YEAR OFF WITH POWDER
Purgatory receives 26 inches in 24 hours and more is on its way

Durango, CO –  People in Durango are starting to like the sound of a La Nina winter. So far the “dry, below normal moisture winter” has produced some of the biggest storms in the resort’s history. Another huge storm dumped 26 inches on the Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort in the past 24 hours with a storm total of 29 inches so far in just two days; and more snow is expected to accumulate.

A mixture of heavy wet snow continues to build an incredible base; while fluffy, light snow piles on top of it creating epic skiing and snowboarding conditions for the southwestern Colorado resort. Forecasts are calling for continued snowfall in the San Juan Mountains with another 11-23 inches of accumulation possible between now and Tuesday morning.

January has started out similarly to December for Purgatory Mountain with nearly 3 feet of snow falling in the first weekend of the month. December was the second snowiest December in the resort’s history with 99 inches of accumulation. The first six days of December 2007 saw 32 inches of snow accumulate at the resort and the following weekend brought another 46 inches. Purgatory has received 138 inches of snowfall this season, so far.

“We hope this becomes a pattern,” says Loryn Kasten, spokeswoman for the resort. “If every month started out with 2 to 3 feet of snow, that would be a storybook season. Mostly what it means is that we would be able to maintain an incredible base, while also offering epic powder conditions throughout the entire season.”

High-resolution lifestyle photos and video footage of the storm are available by contacting Loryn Kasten at lkasten@durangomountain.com.  Updated storm information is available online at www.durangomountainresort.com