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How to make the most of your summer ticket

Family enjoys the alpine slide

Whether you’ve visited before, or this is your first time in the majestic San Juan Mountains, we want to help you make the most of your trip! We’ve made some changes this year, so we thought we’d answer a few questions and share a few pointers here.

First, what is the Summer Day Ticket?

Family riding down the scenic chairlift

Our Day Ticket is essentially an all-access pass to Purgatory’s summer offerings! You can plan to enjoy any of our summer activities (below) during our operating hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm.

*Mountain biking is NOT included in our summer day ticket offerings. Check out our mountain biking page to start planning your biking adventure!

What if I’m only here for the Coaster?

inferno mountain coaster

We know not everyone has a full day to enjoy our alpine activities. But we want our guests to be able to enjoy what you want without a lot of confusing options to sift through. With that in mind, we decided to lower our day ticket price and give you the freedom to spend your day however you like.

Our adult tickets are coming in at $49 (kids’ tickets range from $29-$39). If you just want to lap the coaster, go for it! If you want to head straight to the lake for a day on the water, great! If you want to sample all 6 activities, even better! Use your day ticket your way.

You can learn more about our summer tickets here.

Wait, it’s $49 just to ride the scenic chairlift?

Nope! If you really are just here for the breathtaking views, we do have an option for just grabbing a ride on the scenic chairlift. For $19 load up on Lift 1 and soak up the incredible scenery!

**PRO TIP: Prolong the picturesque experience. Pack a lunch and picnic at the top!**

Once you’ve got a ticket, now what?

Rider gains speed down the alpine slide as it snakes down the mountain

Now, it’s time to get out there and have some fun! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing change of scenery or you’re on the hunt for some faster-paced thrills, we’ve got you covered!

Unlike last summer, there are no set session times. You get to enjoy your day at your pace. Here are a few tips and pointers to help you plan your ideal day!

1. To make the most of your visit, we’d recommend getting here at about 9:30 so you can grab your wristband at the ticket window, then refill your coffee and stock up on snacks while you soak up the views. The day kicks off at at 10:00am.

Not a morning person? Not a problem! The day ticket is good all day long.

2. The Alpine Slide and the Mountain Coaster are the most popular, so we’d recommend making your way over to those activities first. If the line ever gets long, take a break. Head back down to the plaza for a snack or a refreshing beverage, and go back once it’s shorter.

3. Twilight Lake is across the highway, so you might want to start or end your day over there to avoid having to shuffle back and forth.

4. Make the chairlift ride extra special. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the top (1 hour round-trip). Take a little while to hike around on the mountain while you’re up there. Soak up the views and maybe enjoy a snack. You can either hike down the World Champs XC trail or ride the lift back down.

PRO TIP: It can be significantly chillier at the top of the mountain compared to the base area. We highly recommend packing layers and bringing plenty of sun screen.

5. Stay fueled up! Altitude can affect your energy levels. Whether you enjoy food and refreshments at one of our dining outlets or you stocked up on your own snacks, be sure to stay well fed and hydrated!

6. BONUS: It’s not part of Purgatory’s offering, but there is a beautiful hiking trail across the highway. Your day ticket is good for the whole day, so you can feel free to leave and come back.*
*Please note that the weather changes quickly in the mountains and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Take this into consideration when planning your day.

7. Be sure to keep an eye on our event calendar! We’ll have live music several Friday evenings through the summer. Plan to stick around after 5 for refreshing drinks and great music on the plaza as the day winds down.

8. Want to get a little farther out into the mountains? Check out Colorado Outback Adventures and see about a UTV/RZR/ATV rental!

Wondering what else to do in the area?

Window shopping on Main Avenue in Downtown Durango, Colorado during autumn
  1. There are tons of hiking and biking trails around Durango. This site is a great resource for bike trails, and you can find lots of favorite hikes here. Ranging from all lengths and ability levels, you can find the perfect trail(s) to fit your itinerary.
  2. Colorado Outback Adventures offers UTV/ATV/RZR and Jeep tours and rentals as well as rafting! Check them out and keep the adventure going for a full or half day.
  3. Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa is just 20 minutes south of Purgatory on Highway 550. Reserve your visit in advance and lean into full relaxation. This makes for a lovely half a day of relaxation.
  4. Visit downtown Durango! With tons of cute shops, great restaurants and micro-breweries, a lovely river trail and more, this makes a great full or half-day side trip.
  5. Take a ride on the Durango Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad! This will be a full-day excursion.
  6. Take a trip to Mesa Verde and steep yourself in the history of this remarkable place. Plan to take a full day for this outing.
purgatory tower at night

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