Legends Expansion

PURGATORY EXPANSION ADDS EXPERT TREE-SKIING TERRAIN

New for the upcoming ski season, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is adding 125 acres of new, expert terrain, slated to open in late December 2009. The expansion, located west of Elliot’s run, extends our boundary to the west and features 1,200 vertical feet of gladed tree skiing, expanding our expert terrain by more than 30 percent and our total skiable acreage by 10 percent. The project is the first phase of a series of improvements planned to make the Legends area one of the best zones for upper-intermediate and expert skiing in the Southwest. Future improvements include the replacement of the Legends lift (Chair 8) with a high-speed quad, and the clearing of additional terrain.

EXPANSION BLOG:
by: Sven Brunso

Today is my first time to walk the new Legends project in its entirety. I hike down the entire vertical of better than 1,200 feet. The new playground is immense. Each time I look down the hill I see a different line come into view. How am I going to choose when the snow flies? I found at least 10-12 lines I want to make "My first" run. Guess I will have to make a dozen or more laps to explore the zone and appreciate all the newfound steeps. The area has everything from ultra-steep, tigh lines to more open less agressive pitches for those chosing to work on technique in the more forgiving sections. The fall line and pitch are more consistent than anything othe mountain. There will be little change to catch your breath, as the terrain is going to be charging hard from the time you roll into until you spill out on the valley floor. Get in shape this fall as this zone will reward those coming in fit.

Sven Brunso

by: Sven Brunso
Updated September 4th, 3:53 PM

Today was my second time exploring the Legends expansion area in the past 2 weeks. I am still very impressed at the steepness of this new terrain. When I first visited the new area a few weeks ago I could see potential lines through the trees, but the work on clearing had just begun. Today, I spy dozens of lines through the forest with perfect pitches and trees spaced tightly enough to keep you honest but no so tight as to close out the obvious lines. The clearing crew has done a fantastic job cutting just the standing dead trees, hazard trees and small trees that would not likely survive the competition for limited sunlight on this north facing slope. I am more excited for this winter than any I can remember in the last 17 seasons. This new terrain is raw and should provide ample challenge for locals and visitors alike. I can already imagine the adrenaline of the first powder day as I roll over the crest of the new glades and push my tips below the surface. I will be like a kid in a candy store with untouched lines peeling away to my left and right. I will stay focused so as to avoid a run-in with a steadfast spruce. I expect to hear hoots and hollers as my friends and I explore this zone which will be the new frontier at Durango Mountain Resort. Wax up your planks because winter is on the way and this winter we all have a new playground to share.