Purgatory installs Colorado Couloir towers

Purgatory Resort said on September 2 that all lift towers are now in place for its new Colorado Couloir chairlift, the latest construction milestone on a front-side expansion aimed at expert skiers. The Durango-area resort has said the lift is scheduled to open in December 2026, weather and conditions permitting. The project adds a new access point from the Gelande parking area and opens terrain that the resort has described as steep, technical and advanced. The Colorado Couloir project arrives after Purgatory’s 60th winter season, which the resort marked during the 2025-26 operating year. Purgatory opened on Dec. 4, 1965, and told guests last season it was celebrating its 60th anniversary and 60th winter season. ### Where does the new chairlift go? (powder.com) The new lift will run from Purgatory’s Gelande parking lot to the “Top of 6” area, giving skiers another way to reach the upper mountain. Purgatory chief executive Dave Rathbun said in a July construction update that the chair “expands advanced and expert skiing on the front side of the mountain, creates a new access point from Gelande, and helps us evolve in a way that stays true to what makes Purgatory special.” (snowbrains.com) InTheSnow reported on July 14 that the terrain served by the lift had previously been accessed only by shuttle from Gelande. The resort has also said the expansion will include seven new trails and connectors, with names to be announced separately. ### How big is Colorado Couloir? Purgatory has described Colorado Couloir as a fixed-grip triple chairlift with a span of 4,439 feet and 1,625 vertical feet of climb. (powder.com) The ride is expected to take about nine minutes, and the line is designed to carry 1,445 skiers per hour. At its steepest point, the grade reaches about 60%, according to construction updates cited by ski industry outlets. (inthesnow.com) July construction reports showed helicopters ferrying components into steep, roadless terrain on the resort’s front side. Purgatory said helicopter transport was being used because the corridor has no road access, and earlier work included timber removal and excavation for tower and terminal foundations. ### Why did the resort rename the project? (inthesnow.com) The project was previously known as the Gelande Lift before being renamed Colorado Couloir. InTheSnow said the new name was chosen to reflect the steep, technical terrain the lift is intended to unlock. The lift has been part of Purgatory’s long-range planning for years. Construction reports said the project was originally proposed in 2008 and later reaffirmed in a 2019 environmental review. (powder.com) ### What else is part of the build? Purgatory said in July that Colorado Couloir is part of $7 million in summer capital improvements at the resort. (inthesnow.com) Powder also reported that the resort is reusing chairs, grips and other machinery from Telluride’s retired Plunge Lift. Purgatory’s website says 2026-27 season passes are already on sale, and the resort’s trail map and app pages say guests can use the app for live trail views, navigation and updates once winter operations begin. (powder.com) ### What should skiers watch for next? December 2026 is the target opening window for Colorado Couloir, according to multiple construction updates. (powder.com) Purgatory has also said the names and locations of seven new trails and connectors will be released separately, and the resort posts operating updates through its Purg-spective blog and trail-map pages. (purgatory.ski)