Paid $50 per day for Purg when daily tix went on sale. Me, wife and 12 yr old (12 and under skis free) will ski 3 days for $300 over spring break, tough to beat that.

We got $45/day which comes with the $20/day resort credit. Great deal for what you get. 2-3 drinks or a drink and lunch for every day you ski, and you ski 4 days for the price of maybe 1 day at Telluride at window prices.

Purgatory has been on my radar for some time because of the value. We just like to drive and man that's a haul. Also, having to go over LaVeta and Wolf Creek in the winter is daunting.

Scratch that. Googlemaps says take 40 to ABQ and 550 the rest of the way. I'm sure that stretch on 550 can get gnarly in weather.

Hmm.

Any suggestions on lodging and ways to book? Outside of Vrbo and Airbnb of course.

Is that true? Purgatory has only had 69" of snow this year? Sounds rough.

Aren't you in the Dallas area? Is it really that much of a difference than driving to WP? Just googling, looks like 15 minutes further (obviously depending on where from in DFW area).

Sorry - just saw your edit. We've made that drive a bunch in the winter - although usually breaking off to 160 west in Durango. It's not too bad (relatively speaking). Where 550 gets really sketch is in between Purgatory and Ouray. You;d have to be crazy to do that drive in bad winter weather.

MAS444 said:

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Aren't you in the Dallas area? Is it really that much of a difference than driving to WP? Just googling, looks like 15 minutes further (obviously depending on where from in DFW area).

Sorry - just saw your edit. We've made that drive a bunch in the winter - although usually breaking off to 160 west in Durango. It's not too bad (relatively speaking). Where 550 gets really sketch is in between Purgatory and Ouray. You;d have to be crazy to do that drive in bad winter weather.

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I made that 550 drive "million dollar highway" twice in a day 2 summers ago. We were in our RV in Ouray and did the train in Durango to Silverton.

When leaving to go home, I debated taking the rig on that road. Quickly NOPED after doing it with no trailer.

We just went the way we came, back to 50 through Gunnison and over Cochetopah pass into San Luis Valley.

MUCH farther than the crow flies but the San Juan mountain roads are treacherous.

That's an incredible deal. Don't think they were marketing those when we bought, maybe it came about due to soft sales. The $20 credit isn't available for our dates but the $10 option is, but would still cost $20-30 more per day than what I paid. Just need the snow machine to crank up over the next 2 months.

We drive from central Texas every year and weather has never stopped us. It can get a little sketchy going in and out of Durango itself but unless there is a blizzard, the rest of the trip is relatively lower and kept clear. 40 to 550, long day but it's relatively harmless as long as you don't speed through the small towns on 550.

For a Texan, I've driven 550 between Durango and Ouray an awful lot. Dozens of times. I never went over the passes in winter but I have driven it during a several inches snowfall in fall before they could run plows. They do a good job of keeping it plowed and safe from Purg to Durango.

My ski group keeps going back to Purg for the bargain. We'd love to ski bigger premium resorts but they've priced themselves out of consideration for the most part.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Purgatory has been on my radar for some time because of the value. We just like to drive and man that's a haul. Also, having to go over LaVeta and Wolf Creek in the winter is daunting.

Scratch that. Googlemaps says take 40 to ABQ and 550 the rest of the way. I'm sure that stretch on 550 can get gnarly in weather.

Hmm.

Any suggestions on lodging and ways to book? Outside of Vrbo and Airbnb of course.

Is that true? Purgatory has only had 69" of snow this year? Sounds rough.

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I'm sure you've looked into it in the past, but if you're fine with a 20+ minute drive each way to the resort from where you stay then might as well consider Wolf Creek too if Purgatory is being considered. Shorter drive from anywhere in Texas and typically much better snow numbers.

oh no said:

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I've skied in Dubai when it was over 100F outside.

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I too have skied in the Mall of the Emirates on a work trip! A thrilling 20 second run.

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Purgatory has been on my radar for some time because of the value. We just like to drive and man that's a haul. Also, having to go over LaVeta and Wolf Creek in the winter is daunting.

Scratch that. Googlemaps says take 40 to ABQ and 550 the rest of the way. I'm sure that stretch on 550 can get gnarly in weather.

Hmm.

Any suggestions on lodging and ways to book? Outside of Vrbo and Airbnb of course.

Is that true? Purgatory has only had 69" of snow this year? Sounds rough.

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I'm sure you've looked into it in the past, but if you're fine with a 20+ minute drive each way to the resort from where you stay then might as well consider Wolf Creek too if Purgatory is being considered. Shorter drive from anywhere in Texas and typically much better snow numbers.

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Skiing wolf creek requires driving over a pass that bad weather can make risky, right?

Quote:

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We did Whistler one year with the CAD being very advantageous... lift tickets were about $80/day and I had Starwood points to stay at the Westin.

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CA is still a good deal today.

E.g., Calgary Costco has Ski3 two packs for $230CAD, or $80USD/ticket/day.

I don't really need one, but considering a shell jacket. Any recommendations?

What do you want spend?"

My shell is a mountain hardwear that I've been happy with. If I was replacing it today if probably get a stio environ

McNasty said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Purgatory has been on my radar for some time because of the value. We just like to drive and man that's a haul. Also, having to go over LaVeta and Wolf Creek in the winter is daunting.

Scratch that. Googlemaps says take 40 to ABQ and 550 the rest of the way. I'm sure that stretch on 550 can get gnarly in weather.

Hmm.

Any suggestions on lodging and ways to book? Outside of Vrbo and Airbnb of course.

Is that true? Purgatory has only had 69" of snow this year? Sounds rough.

---

I'm sure you've looked into it in the past, but if you're fine with a 20+ minute drive each way to the resort from where you stay then might as well consider Wolf Creek too if Purgatory is being considered. Shorter drive from anywhere in Texas and typically much better snow numbers.

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Skiing wolf creek requires driving over a pass that bad weather can make risky, right?

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It's pretty much at the top of Wolf Creek pass so that's mostly accurate. It's less hairy than others imo, including Berthoud pass which is what you take to get to Winter Park from Texas, but you're having to go up Wolf Creek pass everyday you ski.

ChipFTAC01 said:

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What do you want spend?"

My shell is a mountain hardwear that I've been happy with. If I was replacing it today if probably get a stio environ

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My budget is going to be <$200, but that is including prodeals, so budget could be up to $400 MSRP or so.

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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McNasty said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Purgatory has been on my radar for some time because of the value. We just like to drive and man that's a haul. Also, having to go over LaVeta and Wolf Creek in the winter is daunting.

Scratch that. Googlemaps says take 40 to ABQ and 550 the rest of the way. I'm sure that stretch on 550 can get gnarly in weather.

Hmm.

Any suggestions on lodging and ways to book? Outside of Vrbo and Airbnb of course.

Is that true? Purgatory has only had 69" of snow this year? Sounds rough.

---

I'm sure you've looked into it in the past, but if you're fine with a 20+ minute drive each way to the resort from where you stay then might as well consider Wolf Creek too if Purgatory is being considered. Shorter drive from anywhere in Texas and typically much better snow numbers.

---

Skiing wolf creek requires driving over a pass that bad weather can make risky, right?

---

It's pretty much at the top of Wolf Creek pass so that's mostly accurate. It's less hairy than others imo, including Berthoud pass which is what you take to get to Winter Park from Texas, but you're having to go up Wolf Creek pass everyday you ski.

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Lodging is also super limited on the east side (easier side of the pass)

Pagosa Springs up and back every day can suck. I skied Wolf Creek many years ago. We spend every summer in South Fork for a week or so.

I'd argue it's good for a 2-3 day weekend of skiing,
not a week. But, if budget is the issue, it beats the hell out of anything in New Mexico.

RangerRick9211 said:

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Quote:

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We did Whistler one year with the CAD being very advantageous... lift tickets were about $80/day and I had Starwood points to stay at the Westin.

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CA is still a good deal today.

E.g., Calgary Costco has Ski3 two packs for $230CAD, or $80USD/ticket/day.

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Yeah I looked at Whistler this year and flights are just silly. Lodging for a lot of people is tough vs just staying in hotels.

My dad turns 70 this year and we still rip it together (relatively). I've told him we need to get him to Whistler. It's like the Mecca of North American mountains.

Yesterday said:

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Bottom line. Never pay window price for lift tickets. There are too many avenues for discounted lift tickets.

I'm retired Military so I get the huge epic discount. Very lucky that Vail does that. I may cry if they get rid of it.

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You should really look into Edwelweiss lodge in Garmisch Germany and their military ski packages.

https://www.powder.com/news/large-moose-startles-colorado-skiers

This would have been an interesting experience.

We see them very regularly

Steamboat is looking VERY cold Monday/Tuesday. Leaning towards shifting the kid's lessons from Tue-Thur to Wed-Fri. Tuesday at 9am is showing -12. 10 degrees by Noon but that's half the lssson right there. Will have 2 kids at the base and 1 going all over the mountain. Burr

Meh. Kids are hardy creatures. They'll be fine.

While I'd agree, there's no way my 4 year old girl doesn't need to be in that for her first real experience. The goal is for her to enjoy it so she'll want to come back! That's the beauty in booking extra days to be flexible. Heck, I'm done boarding in negative weather! No thanks

supposed to be close to -60 at pikes peak, (yes I know this isn't a ski mountain). thoughts and prayers to all skiing this weekend

TheVarian said:

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supposed to be close to -60 at pikes peak, (yes I know this isn't a ski mountain). thoughts and prayers to all skiing this weekend

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There's actually a fair amount of skiing on pikes peak.

More snow forecast for central Texas than southern Colorado in the next few days…

Skied with my 5 yo at -5 just after Christmas. Let er rip tater chip.

snow was awesome at steamboat. so much powder.

I've pretty much only skied Steamboat every year for the past 20 years due to family there. That champagne powder for which they're famous does not disappoint.

oh no said:

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I've pretty much only skied Steamboat every year for the past 20 years due to family there. That champagne powder for which they're famous does not disappoint.

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Come up in the summer and have a 20+ inch trout suck your hopper under in the Yampa river.

I've been going to steamboat nearly every summer for 20 years too.

Our family cabin is in Clark. Wish it were closer to town during the winter but it's amazing in the summertime

Snow was starting to come down this afternoon as I was coming back over Loveland pass.

maroonpivo said:

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Our family cabin is in Clark. Wish it were closer to town during the winter but it's amazing in the summertime

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Elk River road is fabulous and one of the prettiest drives around there. . I like stopping in the Clark store. But yes, a little ways to the ski area.