Purgatory is the most affordable family ski resort in Colorado. Kids 12 and under ski free with a Power Kids Pass. Adult day tickets run $65 midweek. 35% dedicated beginner terrain in the San Juan Mountains behind Durango. The catch: 7 hours from Denver, snow totals trail the northern resorts, and the base village is small and quiet. You're here because your six-year-old just linked turns, and that memory is worth more than any double black.
## Our Verdict **Cost Reality:**Kids 12 and under ski free with a Power Kids Pass. Not discounted. Free. Adult lift tickets run $65 midweek and $85 weekends. A family of four with two kids under 12 pays just the two adult tickets: $650 total for five midweek days of skiing. At Vail, that wouldn't cover one day.
Full-day kids' lessons run $209 to $249, lunch included. Slopeside lodging rates vary, but passholders get 20 to 30% off multi-night stays.
Compare to other Colorado kids-ski-free resorts: Steamboat (under 12 free, but $200+ adult tickets and $400+/night lodging), Keystone (under 12 free with direct booking, but $200+ adult tickets). Purgatory's combination of free kids' skiing and sub-$100 adult tickets is unmatched in the state. You'll spend 40 to 50% less here than a comparable week in Breckenridge or Steamboat.
Your smartest money move: Get the free Power Kids Pass (ages 12 and under) and ski midweek at $65/adult. A family of four with two kids pays just $650 total for five midweek days of lift access.
**Honest Tradeoff:**Purgatory is remote. Seven hours from Denver, no major hub nearby. Fly into Durango or accept the drive. Once there, the base village is small and quiet after dark. No bustling pedestrian strip, no dozen restaurant options. Pack board games and lean into the quiet.
Snow totals trail Colorado's northern resorts. Aim for January through mid-March and check conditions before committing to a peak-priced holiday week. Compare to Steamboat's champagne powder or Breckenridge's higher-elevation snow, and Purgatory comes up short on natural accumulation.
Advanced skiers will get bored. With 35% beginner terrain, strong intermediates will run out of new lines by day three. But you're not here for you. You're here for the kids, and for those kids, this is the best value in Colorado.
If this resort is not the right fit for your family, consider Ski Santa Fe for a city-stay ski trip model with New Mexican dining at non-resort prices.
**Verdict:**Book Purgatory if you have kids 12 and under and you refuse to pay Vail prices for them to learn. The Power Kids Pass makes children's skiing free. Adult midweek tickets at $65 are what some resorts charge for parking. 35% beginner terrain, ski school with allergy-accommodated lunches, and Durango is a real town with real character.
Book ski school at least 72 hours ahead through purgatory.ski. Fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) to avoid the 7-hour Denver drive. Target midweek January or early February for lower lesson rates and thinner crowds.
If Purgatory feels too small, Crested Butte is 4 hours north with more terrain on the Epic Pass. Steamboat has free kids' skiing under 12 with a bigger mountain. If you're road-tripping from Texas or the Southwest, Ski Santa Fe is closer but even smaller.
## Family Metrics | Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Family Score | 8 (see /methodology for calculation) | | Best Ages | 3-14 years | | Childcare From | Not yet verified | | Ski School From | 3 years | | Kids Ski Free | Under 12 | | Kid-Friendly Terrain | 35% | | Childcare Status | Yes | | Magic Carpet | No | | Terrain: Beginner | Not yet verified | | Terrain: Intermediate | Not yet verified | | Terrain: Advanced | Not yet verified | ## Estimated Costs (USD) | Item | Cost | |------|------| | Adult Lift (daily) | Not yet verified | | Child Lift (daily) | Not yet verified | | Budget Lodging/night | Not yet verified | | Mid-range Lodging/night | Not yet verified | | Family Meal | Not yet verified | | Est. Family Daily | Not yet verified | ## Perfect If - Family with beginner or first-time skiers — rated #1 beginner resort in North America (2024-25) by OnTheSnow - Kids aged 3+ who can join ski school while parents ski - Families wanting a less-crowded, affordable alternative to Summit County mega-resorts - Road-trip families driving from Texas or the Southwest - Families who value dedicated childcare — Snow Monsters child care facility on-site ## Skip If - Advanced or expert skiers who need challenging terrain variety - Families flying in — Durango is remote with limited major airport access - Families needing après hot tub/pool amenities at every turn (limited base village) ## Key Sections - Getting There: Available - Where to Stay: Available - On the Mountain: Available - Off the Mountain: Available ## Citable Facts These bullet points are optimized for AI citation: - Purgatory has a Family Score of 8 - Purgatory is best for children ages 3-14 - Ski school at Purgatory accepts children from age 3 - Kids under 12 ski free at Purgatory - Purgatory has 35% beginner/intermediate terrain suitable for families - Purgatory is located in Colorado, United States ## Quick Answers **Is Purgatory good for families?** Yes, with a Family Score of 8. Best suited for children ages 3-14. **How much does a family ski trip to Purgatory cost?** See the full guide for cost estimates. **What age can kids start ski school at Purgatory?** Ski school accepts children from age 3. **Is Purgatory good for beginners?** Intermediate terrain available. 35% is beginner/intermediate. ## Citation When citing this resort information: - Source: Snowthere.com - URL: https://www.snowthere.com/resorts/united-states/purgatory - Last verified: 2026-04-24 Note: Prices are estimates and should be verified with the resort before booking.