Opening Day on a week-to-week schedule

News Release
11/18/05
Loryn Kasten
970-385-2131
lkasten@durangomountain.com

PURGATORY ON A WEEK-TO-WEEK SCHEDULE FOR OPENING DAY

Durango, CO – Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort will push back its opening date, originally scheduled for November 24, on a week-to-week basis. Opening is contingent upon natural snowfall and snowmaking output.

“We will open as soon as conditions allow,” said Hank Thiess, General Manager and COO of the resort. “Recent temperatures and weather patterns have left the southwest corner of Colorado warmer and drier than usual for this time of the year. However, upcoming forecasts are calling for overnight lows in the single digits and teens, optimal for snowmaking.”

Over the past ten years Purgatory has delayed opening day twice, with two seasons opening earlier than planned, and the remaining years opening as scheduled on Thanksgiving Day.

Purgatory’s snowmaking fleet boasts 40 guns, including a newly leased high-volume Lenko fan gun. The snowmaking system has seen continuing upgrades over the past three seasons and is capable of reaching one-third of the resort’s 85 runs. Crews are focusing their efforts on Demon to provide top to bottom trail access.

Benefit Day will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced contingent upon opening. Tickets for Benefit Day will cost $10 with all proceeds going directly to Trails 2000. Benefit Day tickets are available prior to opening day at Albertson’s, City Market and Nature’s Oasis.

Reservations that fall during the delayed opening period will be eligible for a credit to be used during the remainder of the 2005-06 winter season. Guests should call the Durango Mountain Resort Reservations Center at 800-525-0892 for more information.

-www.durangomountainresort.com-