Ski bums and snow bunnies, get your boots out and your wax on: Ski season is nearly upon us. We know you’ve been counting down the days since, well, since closing day, and now it’s nearly here. Opening. Day. The four sweetest syllables to the snow-sports lover’s ears.

Purgatory Resort

Opening day at Purgatory Resort is Nov. 19, and the resort is opening with a slew of new improvements. The resort added a new ski lift and a new trail on the backside of the mountain (check out a map of the new trail and location of the new lift). Purgatory is upgrading its snowmaking system to be more productive and efficient, and the resort’s hazard tree mitigation project will not only enhance tree skiing at the resort, but also improve forest health.

This winter, Purgatory’s Power Pass includes unlimited skiing and snowboarding at five mountains: Purgatory, Hesperus, Arizona Snowbowl, Sipapu and Pajarito with no blackout dates. Power Pass holders also get three free days of skiing at nearly 20 partner mountains, including Masella Ski Resort near Barcelona, Spain, and Boulder County’s Eldora Mountain Resort.

Wolf Creek Ski Area

Wolf Creek Ski Area has the earliest (possible) opening day of all: Opening day at Wolf Creek is tentatively slated for Nov. 4. Wolf Creek Ski Area is known to have “The Most Snow in Colorado” because it receives anywhere from 350 to 420 inches of snowfall every year. But the ski area is also known for its stunning hike-in terrain. The ski resort is located in the San Juan and Rio Grande national forests just outside Pagosa Springs, about an hour and a half east of Durango.

Hesperus Ski Area

This winter, like every winter, Hesperus Ski Area will open a bit later than its snowier peers; Hesperus opening day is projected for mid-December. But don’t get it McTwisted: The ski area a longtime favorite among locals for good reason. Hesperus Ski Area is only 11 miles west of Durango, and it offers 160 skiable acres 26 trails and an average of 150 inches inches of snowfall every year. Hesperus is best known for night skiing and riding — and as home to the Hesperus Ski Patrol — but it also offers tubing, rentals and ski and ride school.

Durango Quality Inn makes a perfect base camp and ski lodge for your Southwest Colorado ski vacation. We are centrally located among the three area ski resorts: Hesperus is 14 miles due west of the Quality Inn Durango on U.S. Highway 160. Pugatory is a straight shot 25 miles north of our Durango hotel on U.S. Highway 550. Wolf Creek is the longest trek, about 1.5-2 hours east of Durango near Pagosa Springs. For all your ski and snowboard plans, be sure to stay with us at the Quality Inn Durango. Book your room today!