By the early 1960s, Dolph Kuss had put together a competitive ski team that trained at Calico Hill as well as newly opened Hesperus Ski Area. Chet Anderson, a U.S. Forest Service snow ranger, helped to coach the team as did oil executive Ray Duncan. The three men realized that not only did the team need a bigger hill to train on but that there was the potential for a major ski resort north of town. The community was ready to provide the support to build a resort which could provide Durango year-round opportunities.
The land targeted for the resort belonged to Helen Swire Tinker. She had inherited the property from her father and was not anxious for it to leave the family. When she decided to sell, rumors spread through the Durango business community. A meeting of community leaders was held on January 20, 1965 at the Strater Hotel. The San Juan Development Company was formed that day and founders started selling stock at businesses along Main Avenue for $100 a share. They raised nearly $90,000 and received a Small Business Administration loan for $350,000. The money was then loaned to the Durango Ski Corporation and work began almost immediately. The necessary permits were acquired and trails were designed and cut. A day lodge and lifts were built during one of the wettest summers in Colorado history.
Postcard from about 1965 showing the Purgatory lift.
Catalog number: 03.53.53
On December 4, 1965 Purgatory Resort opened with a few trails offering a 1,500 foot vertical drop. A day pass for the one double chairlift was $4.50. The Grand Opening celebration was held on January 8, 1966. Colorado Governor John Love and his wife Ann as well as officials from the U.S. Forest Service and the Durango Ski Club were on hand to christen the chairlift. Durango became a four season recreation town, bringing bustling business to the once sleepy winter community.
Purgatory button
Catalog number: 02.72.110 Gift of D&SNGRR
Shotglass
Catalog number: 14.10.18 Gift of Durango Area Chamber of Commerce
“SMILE IF YOU LOVE SNOW” button
Catalog number: 96.28.7 Gift of Paul Souder