Skip Black Friday: Go Skiing Instead
While the rest of the country camps outside Target at 4 AM fighting over discounted TVs, you could be making first tracks at Purgatory. If the resort is open by Thanksgiving weekend (which it typically is), Black Friday skiing is one of the most freeing experiences you can have. It's the anti-Black-Friday — quiet slopes, fresh air, and zero credit card regret.
Why It Works
The mountain is usually open but not yet crowded. Early season conditions mean fewer runs, but also fewer people. The vibe is laid-back — everyone there chose skiing over shopping, and that self-selects for good energy. You'll see locals who do this every year, plus a handful of visitors who figured out the secret.
Lift lines are minimal to nonexistent. On a typical Black Friday at Purgatory, you might ride chair after chair without stopping. That doesn't happen later in the season when holiday crowds arrive.
The Day: A Better Black Friday Blueprint
Morning: Hit the Mountain
Start early. First chair if you can. Early-season snow is usually groomed and firm — perfect for carving clean turns. The air is cold, often below freezing, and the light is crisp. Ski until lunch, which on a day like this means three to four hours of uninterrupted runs.
Purgatory's early-season terrain usually includes the base area runs and a few mid-mountain sections. It's not the full mountain, but it's enough to get your legs back under you after the off-season. By late November, you're shaking off rust and remembering what your edges feel like on hardpack.
Afternoon: Shop Local on Main Avenue
This is where Black Friday in Durango gets interesting. Head into town for a different kind of shopping — local shops on Main Avenue with unique gifts, no crowds, and no parking lot chaos. Small businesses, locally made goods, and actual human interaction. This is the anti-Black-Friday shopping experience.
You'll find everything from handmade jewelry and local art to outdoor gear and Colorado-made products. The shops are independently owned, the staff are friendly, and your dollars stay in the community. Downtown Durango's Main Avenue has dozens of boutiques, galleries, and specialty stores within a few walkable blocks.
If you need outdoor gear, hit Backcountry Experience or Pine Needle Mountaineering for actual deals on quality gear — not door-buster garbage that breaks in three months.
Evening: Post-Ski Food and Beer
By evening, you've earned a big meal. Steamworks Brewing on Main Avenue is the classic après-ski spot — beer brewed in-house, solid food, and a warm atmosphere after a cold day on the mountain. The Cajun boil is a crowd favorite, and the Backside Stout is perfect for a November evening.
You've skied all morning, supported local businesses in the afternoon, and you're ending the day with good food and local beer. That's a Black Friday worth doing.
The Philosophy: Opt Outside
There's a growing movement of people who opt out of Black Friday consumerism and do something active instead. REI started the #OptOutside campaign in 2015, closing their stores on Black Friday and encouraging people to spend the day outside. Thousands of people now treat Black Friday as a day to hike, ski, paddle, or just be in nature instead of a mall.
Durango is the perfect place to practice this. The town already leans toward outdoor culture and independent businesses. Spending Black Friday on the slopes and Main Avenue instead of at a big-box store feels natural here.
Tips for Black Friday Skiing
Check Purgatory's opening status before you book. Most years the resort is open by Thanksgiving, but early-season snowfall varies. Follow Purgatory's website for opening announcements.
Dress warm. Late November is cold, especially in the morning. Temps at the base can be in the teens, and the summit will be colder. Layer up.
Tune your skis for early season. Early-season snow often has thin coverage and hidden rocks. A fresh tune helps protect your edges, and you won't cry as much if you hit something unexpected.
Book lodging early. Thanksgiving weekend is popular. If you're planning to do this, reserve your accommodations well in advance.
For more early-season skiing tips, check out our guides to beginner skiing at Purgatory and Christmas week at Purgatory.
Our townhome Basecamp sleeps eight, has a hot tub and pool table, and sits right across from Purgatory Resort with a free shuttle to the lift. It's perfect for Thanksgiving week ski trips when you want space for family, a full kitchen for turkey leftovers, and a hot tub to soak in after Black Friday powder.
Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.
