Backside opening Saturday plus Next Snow Search

News Release
January 3, 2006
Loryn Kasten
970-385-2131
lkasten@durangomountain.com

BACKSIDE OPENING SATURDAY
Purgatory also hosting Next Snow Search Qualifier

Durango, CO – The backside of Purgatory Mountain will open this Saturday, January 7th, with Chair 3 and a bulk of the runs serviced by the high-speed quad. The New Year’s storm that brought 10 inches of new snow, combined with ongoing snowmaking efforts, have contributed to the Saturday opening.

“The snow from this last storm had a very favorable moisture content, and we have been working hard packing and prepping the runs over the last couple of days,” said resort Vice-President of Operations Mike McCormack. “With favorable cold temperatures for snowmaking also forecast all this week, we’re looking forward to a solid opening of the backside.”

Specifics as to opening terrain will be available on Thursday. Frontside runs have continued to open as more than 16 inches of snow has fallen since the holidays began.

Next Snow Qualifier
Purgatory will host a qualifier event for the 2006 Sports Illustrated For Kids’ Next Snow SEARCH on Saturday, January 7th. The competition is open to boys and girls of all disciplines (skiing, snowboarding, telemark, adaptive) born between 1992-1997.

Purgatory’s qualifier will include freeskiing, small jibs and possibly air. Athletes will be judged on their on-mountain skills as well as their off-slope manners. Prizes will be awarded to all competitors and the winner will represent Purgatory at the Next Snow Search Finals, held later this season in Killington, VT. Registration for the event begins at 12 p.m. in the Purgatory Ski and Snowboard School Sales office, the competition begins at 1 p.m. Parents and athletes are required to attend a pre-competition meeting at 12:45 p.m. on the deck of Purgy’s.

Current members of the Next Snow Search National team will compete in an All-Stars competition later this month, which will air on NBC Sports on Saturday, February 11 (2-3 p.m. ET), the first day of competition at the Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. More information on the Next Snow Search competition and Purgatory’s qualifier event is available at www.nextsnow.com.

-www.durangomountainresort.com-