Durango sits in the southwest corner of Colorado in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. It is convenient to the entire Southwestern part of the US and offers a multitude of entertainment options. World class hiking, biking, jeeping, and fishing is available just a short drive away. Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory) offers a wonderful family environment for skiing, and the Animas River provides an opportunity for any level of river rafting. The towns of Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride are all nearby, linked by the San Juan Skyway, which ranks as one of the most scenic drives in North America.
Lake Purgatory subdivision is a mountain community located just off Highway 550 24 miles north of Durango and about 1/4 mile south of the entry to Durango Mountain Resort. The house is nestled in the back of the subdivision on a secluded cul-de-sac and backs up to the National Forest. Every mountain activity conceivable is nearby, but you will still feel miles away from it all!
Other Activities: The southwest corner of Colorado is a summer haven and a winter wonderland with an almost unlimited number of options available to make your vacation memorable. Snow skiing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking, river rafting, mountain biking, scenic driving, four wheeling, fly fishing, golfing, and many other options are all available within a short distance. The San Juan Mountains offer every conceivable activity in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and the climate is truly second to none. Our home is managed by a long time local resident who has managed multiple properties and who knows many of the local outfitters, restaurants, etc... In addition, there are several websites linked on our home's website (lakepurgatoryhouse.com) that will provide you with all you need to start planning your vacation. Can't miss activities include riding the Durango Silverton train, driving the Alpine Skyway, river rafting on the Animas river, and enjoying Durango itself.
Golf: Dalton Ranch is a mountain links course located about 20 miles south of the house on highway 550 just north of Durango. It is available for daily play at a reasonable rate. There are several other courses both north and south of the house within 1-2 hour drives, and there is a nice municipal course in Durango itself. If you have a fortune or friends in high places, see if you can get on to the Glacier Club course just 10 miles from the house near the Tamarron resort on highway 550. This is a very private course, but it's definitely worth the opportunity if you can get access.
Ski: Durango Mountain Resort was previously known as Purgatory Resort, and it is located about 2.25 miles away from the house on Highway 550. It has almost 1400 acres of skiable terrain, with 10 lifts and 88 runs to choose from. The resort receives 260 inches of snow per year, and is usually one of the warmer places to ski in Colorado. It is a wonderful family mountain with options for the whole family to enjoy. In the winter, it is usually a 10-12 minute drive to the base, and ample parking and valet service are available.
Wolf Creek Pass is located near Pagosa Springs, and it is famous for it's tremendous snowfall numbers, ranking second in Colorado annually for snowfall. It's about 2 hours away, but makes for a fun excursion. Silverton Mountain is an expert only mountain that boasts the greatest snowfall numbers in Colorado annually, and it located about 30-40 minutes away in Silverton. We have made the 3 hour drive to Telluride as well for skiing when road conditions permit.
