Skiing with Kids at Purgatory: Everything You Need to Know
Purgatory is genuinely one of the best ski resorts in Colorado for families. The mountain is manageable, the crowds are smaller than the I-70 resorts, and the entire operation has a welcoming, non-intimidating vibe that makes introducing kids to skiing way less stressful. If you're planning a family ski trip to the Durango area, here's everything you need to know to make it smooth, fun, and (hopefully) meltdown-free.
Why Purgatory Works for Families
Purgatory isn't trying to be Vail or Aspen. It's a mid-sized resort (1,605 acres, 107 runs) with excellent beginner and intermediate terrain, manageable lift lines, and a laid-back atmosphere. You're not navigating massive crowds, confusing base areas, or overwhelming logistics. Everything is accessible and straightforward.
The mountain layout is intuitive. The beginner area is separate from faster traffic. The intermediate terrain is long and forgiving. And if you have older kids who can ski, there's plenty of advanced terrain to keep them engaged while younger siblings are in lessons.
The resort is also at a more moderate elevation (base at 8,793 feet, summit at 10,822 feet) compared to places like Breckenridge or Copper, which means altitude sickness is less of a concern for kids flying in from lower elevations.
Ski School: Ages and Programs
Purgatory's Snowsports School takes kids starting at age 4 for both skiing and snowboarding. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and experienced with the full spectrum of kid personalities (from fearless chargers to hesitant first-timers who need coaxing).
Ages 4-6: Child Lessons
The Child Lessons program is designed for 4-6 year olds and includes skiing or snowboarding instruction in a small group setting. Kids meet at the Bear's Den on the second floor of the Village Center. The program includes a combination of instruction, games, and breaks to keep energy levels manageable.
Full-day lessons typically run from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and include lunch (provided by the resort). Half-day options (morning or afternoon) are available if you're not sure your kid can handle a full day. Spoiler: most 4-6 year olds are toast by 2:00 PM, so half-day is often the better play.
Ages 7+: Youth and Teen Lessons
Kids 7 and older meet at the Columbine Learning Area for group lessons. This is the main beginner zone, with dedicated lifts and terrain for learning. The group sizes are kept small (usually 4-6 kids per instructor), and they're organized by ability level, not just age.
Programs range from never-ever beginners to intermediate skiers working on parallel turns and carving. Advanced kids can join Snowburners (ages 7-12) or Dev Team (ages 13-18), which are season-long progression programs for kids who ski regularly and want to improve technique.
Private Lessons
If you want one-on-one instruction or have a family with mixed ability levels, private lessons are available. They're more expensive (starting around $200+ for a half-day), but they offer flexibility in timing and allow you to ski with your kids while the instructor coaches.
Private lessons are the move if you have a nervous first-timer who needs extra attention or an advanced kid who wants to hit steeper terrain with an instructor.
The Right Terrain for Kids
Purgatory's beginner and intermediate terrain is perfect for kids learning to ski. The runs are wide, the pitch is gradual, and the snow is generally well-groomed.
Columbine (the main beginner run) is long, gentle, and perfect for first-timers building confidence. It's served by Lift 2, which is a slow, short chair that gives kids time to rest between runs without getting cold or bored.
As kids progress, the blue runs off Lift 1 (the main Village Chair) offer great intermediate terrain — long, flowing cruisers with enough variety to stay interesting but not so steep that kids get scared or exhausted.
The mountain layout makes it easy to keep track of where everyone is. You're not dealing with sprawling bowls or confusing trail networks. If you split up (parents ski while kids are in lessons), meeting back at the Village Center base is straightforward.
The Logistics: What You Actually Need to Do
Gear Rental
Rent gear at the resort or in Durango. Kid gear is widely available and renting saves you from hauling skis, boots, and poles on the plane or in the car. Purgatory's rental shop is efficient and has a good selection of sizes.
Pro tip: Rent boots the day before if you can and have your kids walk around the house in them for 20 minutes. If they're uncomfortable, you can swap them before the first day on the mountain. Ill-fitting boots are the #1 cause of kid meltdowns.
Drop-Off and Pickup
Drop-off for ski school is straightforward. For ages 4-6, you bring kids to the Bear's Den in the Village Center. For ages 7+, you drop them at the Columbine Learning Area. Staff will check them in, assign them to a group, and make sure they're set up with the right gear.
Pickup is at the same location. If your kid is in full-day lessons, pickup is around 3:30 PM. Be on time — tired, cold kids waiting for late parents are not happy campers.
Many parents ski while the kids are in lessons, then meet up for a few family runs in the afternoon. This is a solid strategy: kids get quality instruction, parents get uninterrupted ski time, and everyone meets up for the fun stuff at the end of the day.
Food and Snacks
Kids burn through calories fast at altitude and in the cold. Pack extra snacks in their jacket pockets — granola bars, gummy snacks, crackers, whatever works. If they're in full-day lessons, lunch is included, but having snacks for morning and afternoon breaks is smart.
For parents, the base area has multiple food options: Purgy's (burgers, fries, beer), Dante's (pizza, salads), and The Lift House (coffee, pastries, breakfast). Nothing fancy, but it's all solid and convenient.
Breaks and Expectations
Take breaks. Ski for two hours, then go inside for hot chocolate. Ski for another hour, then call it a day. An exhausted, cold kid on a ski slope is nobody's idea of fun, and pushing through just creates negative associations with skiing.
Set realistic expectations. If your kid has never skied before, Day 1 is about getting comfortable with boots and skis, not bombing down blue runs. Progress is slow at first, and that's fine. Celebrate small wins (first time on the lift, first pizza turn, first run without falling).
Childcare Options
If you have kids under 4 who aren't ready for ski lessons, Purgatory offers Bear's Den Childcare (ages 2 months to 3 years). It's a licensed daycare facility with toys, activities, and nap areas. It's not ski instruction — it's childcare so parents can ski. Reservations are required and it fills up during peak weeks (Christmas, MLK weekend, Presidents' Day).
Beyond the Slopes
If you need a no-ski day (because let's be real, not every kid wants to ski every day), Durango has plenty of family-friendly options:
- Durango Discovery Museum — hands-on exhibits for kids, science and history focus
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — scenic train ride through the mountains (winter trains run to Cascade Canyon)
- Animas River Trail — flat, paved trail for walking or biking along the river
- Hot springs — Trimble Hot Springs is about 10 minutes from Durango with warm pools, a waterslide, and picnic areas
Why Our Properties Work for Families
Both Basecamp and Timberline are designed with families in mind. Basecamp sleeps 8 (three bedrooms, pull-out sofas), has a hot tub, a pool table, and a full kitchen. Timberline sleeps 6 (three bedrooms), also has a hot tub and a full kitchen.
The hot tub is honestly the secret weapon for family ski trips. After a day on the mountain, kids can soak, warm up, and burn off remaining energy while parents decompress with a beer. It's way better than trying to entertain tired kids in a hotel room.
The full kitchen means you can make breakfast at the townhome instead of paying $60 for pancakes at the resort. You can pack lunches, make snacks, and have dinner waiting when you get back. It saves money and gives you way more flexibility than eating out every meal.
And the free shuttle to the resort means no fighting for parking, no scraping ice off the windshield, and no navigating a dark mountain road with tired kids in the car at the end of the day.
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Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.
