Purgatory Resort Closes One Week Early After March Heat Melts Snowpack

After an often snowless winter bookended by a historic heat wave that set numerous temperature records out West, Purgatory Resort ended operations on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The mountain, often open through mid to late April, closed March 29 rather than its originally planned April 5 date.

"We don't take adjusting a closing date lightly, but the early heat this year is accelerating our timeline," said Matt Ericksen, Purgatory's marketing director. Closing day marked the end of Purgatory's 60th successful ski season, which lasted 127 days despite a winter fraught with little snowfall and warm temperatures. By closing day, roughly 25% of the mountain remained open with a 24-inch base.

Statewide snowpack sat at 38 percent of the norm for the date and was melting fast, forcing many ski areas to announce early closing dates. Ski Cooper, Sunlight, and Powderhorn had already closed before Purgatory's final day.

Purgatory chose to close out the 60th season on its own terms. The resort hosted its closing day "Beach Ruckus," an event tagged with the descriptor "Barely Winter Edition," featuring live music, a rail jam, a costume contest, and a color party with throwable, colored powder. The Purgatory Beach Ruckus started at 9 a.m., with a rail jam near the Village Express Lift running from noon to 2 p.m. and a color throw finale at 3 p.m. DJ sets from DJ Noonz and Forest Thump, foam machines, face painting, a photo booth, and $2 drafts rounded out the afternoon. Costumes were encouraged, with the resort's release calling for the "louder, brighter, and more ridiculous, the better," and framing the day as one that "builds toward a color throw that celebrates the end of another ski season in true Durango style."

Ericksen acknowledged the toll of the season while crediting the team's persistence. "This season brought its share of challenges, and our team worked hard to keep the mountain running and deliver a great experience for our guests," he said. "We're proud of that effort, and we're grateful for the incredibly positive feedback from guests who came out, enjoyed the skiing, and made the most of every turn."

Purgatory opened on November 22, 2025, and operated for 127 days before Sunday's close. The resort noted that despite low snow and warm temperatures its teams pushed hard to keep the mountain going as long as possible, and is already selling 2026/2027 Power Passes at the lowest guaranteed price.