A Winter Wonderland in Durango, Colorado

Over a dozen vacations in one destination – Durango Colorado

Anne Klein | Durango Area Tourism

Durango, CO – Fresh powder blankets the mountains in Southwestern Colorado for Durango’s magical winter featuring over a Dozen Vacations in One Destination! In addition to skiing and winter sports, our charming Colorado mountain town boasts a vibrant arts scene, relaxing hot springs, five craft breweries, scrumptious cuisines, inspired festivals and more. Plan your Colorado winter vacation at www.durango.org.

Tis’ the Season
Noel Night, The Polar Express train ride, Festival of Trees, Nutcracker Ballet, Winter Solstice celebration. Durango’s 9th annual HOLiDAZZLE offers festivities to make merry; kicking off with Singing with Santa and the Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting and continuing through New Year’s Eve.

San Juan Untracked
With over 35,000 acres of terrain, San Juan Untracked is the largest snowcat skiing and snowboarding operation in the United States. From rolling glades to wide open bowls, cliffs, chutes, gullies and trees blanketed in abundant snowfall, San Juan Untracked offers an exceptional backcountry experience to skiers and riders of all abilities through daily guided trips.
www.sanjuanuntracked.com, 800-208-1780

Credit: San Juan Untracked

Christmas at Vallecito Lake
December 13 – 15
The cozy holiday festival at Vallecito Lake includes a winter fireworks display, dog sledding, ice sculpting and snowman building contests, Kids' Christmas Party, “A Country Christmas” skit, and Christmas caroling.
vallecitolakechamber.com

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Named the “Best Value Ski Spot” by TripAdvisor and hailed as a “Top 10 Emerging Ski Town in North America” by National Geographic.  The resort provides snow enthusiasts 88 trails, five terrain parks, 10 chairlifts and 1,360 skiable acres. There’s snow tubing, dog sledding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice climbing, snowbiking, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and more!

Buy 3, Get the 4th Free:  Book 3 nights of lodging at DMR and buy 3 days of lift tickets; you’ll get a 4th day and night for FREE! durangomountainresort.com, 800-525-0892

Credit: Family Ski Day at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort

Mesa Verde Discovery
Small group, guided interpretive tours explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest cliff dwellings remaining in North America. Enjoy a fascinating journey through time while you explore this major center for Puebloan culture. Tours are round trip, daily from Durango.
www.Mild2WildRafting.com, (970) 247-4789

Dog Sledding Adventures
Siberian and Alaskan Huskies guide your sled through picturesque Colorado mountain trails on dog sled adventures. New this year, whisk through the winter wonderland during an hour-long adventure from Durango Mountain Resort.  Full day “Mushing Madness” and half-day “Mush on the Brain” at Durango Dog Ranch guarantee exhilarating adventure and breathtaking beauty. 
www.durangodogranch.com, (970) 259-0694

Credit: Dog Sledding with Durango Dog Ranch

Snowdown Winter Festival  2014: Safari So Good
January 29 -February 2, 2014
Colorado’s premier winter festival is a non-traditional and bit zany celebration of winter. Think Safari and the African plains at the 36th annual celebration with more than 60 unique events including: torchlight parade, ski softball tournament, Snowdown Balloon Rally, wine tasting, beard growing contest, Snowdown Follies, Sorrel Sky's Wild Life Masquerade Ball, bed race, and a magnificent fireworks show!
www.snowdown.org

Credit: 36th Annual Snowdown Winter Festival

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The historic steam train transports you to the snow-filled wonderland of Cascade Canyon. On board the Photographer's Train, it’s the rare opportunity to stop and photograph the historic train against the winter snow.
The Polar Express makes its magical trip to the North Pole November 23, 2013 – January 4, 2014. Hot chocolate and a treat served by your personal chefs as they read The Polar Express story en route to the North Pole! Santa delivers a gift for those who “just believe.”
www.durangotrain.com

All Aboard the Polar Express!

Colorado Winter Vacation
Packages and lodging available at: www.durango.org/lodging/info.aspx . Plan your trip at www.durango.org.

The Durango Area Tourism Office is a not for profit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events and services. 1-800-GO DURANGO, www.durango.org.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.