Tamarron Resort Rental Condominiums Golf Course Frontage and Spectacular Mountain Views Tamarron Lodge at the Glacier Club Residence Numbers 868 and 869 40290 Highway 550 Durango, CO 81301

Durango Area Activities

Tucked into an elbow on the Animas River, Durango has acted as gateway to southwestern Colorado’s riches since the last century—first as a depot for the tons of precious metals coming from the high mountains, and later as a portal into the beautiful backcountry of the San Juan Mountains. Durango has been stamped a ‘hidden gem’ by Ski America, and just about everyone who lives or visits here would agree.  Durango was honored by SKI Magazine as one of America's Top 10 Ski Towns.  

The San Juans gained in value as the focus changed to the stunning vistas of the Needles Range, hikeable 14’ers within a day’s camp, world class mountain biking, the Animas River plunging down through the canyons, and of course the skiing and snowboarding at Durango Mountain Resort and in the epic backcountry.

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the four corners most treasured attractions. The Ancestral Puebloan Indians built these cliff dwellings around 600 A.D. Although this rich culture vanished mysteriously, you can still uncover the story of “the ancient ones”, designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad takes visitors on an authentic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive on the same tracks that miners, cowboys and settlers of the old west took over a century ago. The train winds through spectacular canyons in the remote wilderness of the Animas River Gorge, on it's way to Silverton, an old mining town nestled in the San Juan Mountains at 10,000'.

As culture goes the town itself has a style of its own, ranging from cowboy hats and bolo ties to violin and harp strings. Classical music arrives each summer with Music in the Mountains, taking place in large part at the Festival Tent at Durango Mountain Resort. Live music and theatre is performed at the Community Concert Hall, and an annual Shakespeare Festival plays at Fort Lewis College. The Durango Film Festival hits the screen in March, and historical museums dot the town.

Folks often come to Durango the first time to ski, bike, or hike, but they end up coming back for a multitude of reasons. For a complete list of recreational & cultural activities and events, visit Durango's Chamber of Commerce Website.

Durango Main Avenue

Durango is home to such a variety of restaurants, you might forget you’re in a small town. Options include everything from hot spot bistros to old-style steak houses, fresh seafood, authentic Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Southwestern, Pub-style, Continental and more. The styles range from prix-fixe to take-out, and you can take your pick of seats, from patio to booth to barstool - or maybe courtesy limo service to dinner peaks your interest. Whatever your style, whatever your budget, Durango’s restaurants are ready to satisfy your mountain appetite.

  With great breweries, live music venues, and a true Main Street appeal, Durango is full of nightlife. Starting from the north side of town, Carvers Brewery has an ever changing sampling of great beers and food specials. This cozy setting is ideal for getting together with friends and comparing notes on the day. Ken & Sue's at 937 Main and Ken & Sue's East at 636 Main, are two of Durango's favorite bistros. Stop in for great food, superb service, and a casual atmosphere. You can see what's happening on Main Avenue from Frontiers 'Eye on Durango' webcam.  

Also on Main Avenue is Durango's only blues club, Scoot 'n Blues. Tony Milen has been on a crusade to bring great blues and great food to Durango and has decked his joint out with his personal collection of classic Indian and Harley Motorcycles. If nothing else, dropping into Scoot 'n Blues will ensure you a museum-like visit to this motorcycle hall of fame.  Main Avenue Webcam
 

Great dining doesn't stop when you leave Main Avenue! Just off Main on 2nd Avenue, you will find Steamworks Brewing Company. With a huge facility and copper beer vats in plain view, Steamworks is one of the best spots in town to sample good ales and to enjoy great pub-style cuisine. If margaritas and great Mexican food are what you're after, both Gazpachos and Franciscos should be on your priority list. When you're in the mood for an old fashioned steak try the Ore House, one of the area's oldest and finest restaurants, with an atmosphere that truly reflects the essence and history of southwestern Colorado. And when it's seafood you're after, The Red Snapper is the place to visit. Located in a 100-year old historic building just off Main, their menu includes steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, nightly specials and an array of homemade desserts. The atmosphere, great food, and award winning service combine to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is an easy 10-minute drive from Tamarron with no mountain passes to cross. Durango Mountain Resort, formerly referred to as Purgatory, underwent a name change and new ownership several years ago. You will notice many changes up on the mountain including a new high-speed, six passenger super chair, which whisks you up the mountain in 6 minutes flat! A new terrain park featuring a newly designed halfpipe, multiple sections of rails and boxes, and sets of consecutive tabletops, step-up and big air hits is Durango Mountain Resort’s newest addition. Other improvements you will find around Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort include new ski and snowboard programs for families and children, a nighttime lesson center and a 25% increase in snowmaking capacity. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort has long been a favorite of skiers and snowboarders from all over.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort's ski area spans more than 2,400 acres with 723 acres of maintained terrain. 40 miles of groomed Nordic trails are blanketed by 240 inches of snow. 11 chairlifts serve the 75 trails, of which the longest is two miles. Durango Mountain Resort offers 40 miles of groomed terrain and 75 trails. The terrain offers 23% beginner, 51% intermediate, and 26% advanced/expert. An average of 260 inches of snow a year (over 21 feet) blankets the mountain. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort offers some premier moguls as well as gentle, forested beginner terrain.

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort - Mountain Statistics
Durango, CO town elevation 6580 ft. pop. 14,796
Durango Mountain Resort is 25 miles/40km North of Durango on Hwy 550
Base/Top Elevation: 8,793 ft/ 10,822 ft 2680m/3299m
Vertical Rise: 2,029 ft 618m
Skiable acres: 1,200
Average Snowfall: 260 Inches/660 cm
Snowmaking Acres: 250
Lifts: 11 Uphill capacity: 15,600 per hour
Trails: 85
Terrain: Beginner-23% Intermediate-51% Advanced/Expert-26%
Terrain Parks: Paradise Terrain Park with 400ft half-pipe, hits, rails & drops. Pitchfork Terrain Park features hips, rails, tabletops, gaps, big air hit.

Durango Mountain Resort has been the recipient of many honors and accolades. Snow Country Magazine ranked it "the second-least-crowded ski area on the continent." It's long been known that the San Juan Mountains with its majestic Needles and La Plata Ranges jutting up around the resort provide views compared more commonly to the Alps than the Rockies. Jean-Claude Killy called it "the most beautiful scenery this side of the Italian Alps." In a recent SKI Magazine readers’ poll, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort gets picked as #1 for best weather among North American resorts!

Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort can also entertain the summer visitor with many different activities such as the alpine slide – great fun for the whole family. For those more daring souls, try mountain biking down the mountain after a scenic chairlift ride to the top. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort hosted the Durango World Cup July 11-15th of 2001 and hosted the World Mountain Bike Championships in 1990. Visitors are invited to ride the chairlift for free, then explore the top and hike or ride the lift back down. There is a small fee to ride the chairlift for mountain biking and the alpine slide but it is definitely worth the experience.

Tamarron Area Dining

Cascade Grill
Located at Cascade Village, Cascade Grill is the place to go for casual dining in a beautiful mountain atmosphere. Cascade Grill serves dinner nightly with offerings ranging from Grilled Elk Medallions, fresh cut steaks and seafood to our popular bottomless pasta bowl. Grilled sandwiches and Kids meals make Cascade Grill a favorite for the whole family, plus you can find the best deals around during Happy Hour in our scenic bar.

Sow’s Ear
Located inside Silver Pick, the condominium village one mile south of Durango Mountain Resort, Sow’s Ear features hand-cut steaks, ribs, fresh fish, pasta and poultry, as well as home-made desserts. A long-time member of the mountain family, Sow’s Ear is popular for locals and visitors alike.

Olde Schoolhouse CafÈ
Known for its free pool, outstanding pizza, beer and football-sized calzones, the Schoolhouse is located several miles north of the resort.

Aspen CafÈ
While en route to Durango Mountain Resort from Tamarron, breakfast never tasted better than at the Aspen CafÈ. Just four miles south of the ski resort in the Needles Village, the cafÈ serves home-style breakfasts, and hearty lunches and dinners in a mountain casual environment.

Other Area Activities

Buck's Livery - Horseback Rides

Adventure on horseback! Experienced wranglers will help you explore the San Juan National Forest & Cascade Canyon on a horse that fits your ability level. 1 hour, 2 hour, 1/2 day, and all day rides are available. Try the Sunset Dinner Ride - a 2 hour ride followed by Colorado steaks or chicken grilled over an open fire. Kids & special menu items also available. For more information and reservations, call 970.247.9000 or stop by the main ticket office at Purgatory Village.

Animas Valley Anglers

Animas Valley Anglers is the most complete fly fishing guide service in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. AVA offers experienced guiding to the best spots in the region, including BLM, USFS, State Park, Wilderness and private lands. AVA caters to all levels of anglers, with focus on education and experience. For information and reservations, please call 970.259.0484 or visit www.gottrout.com .

Guided Naturalist Hikes- Free

Guided Naturalist Hikes are a great way to learn about the natural environment at Purgatory. The San Juan Mountain Association offers free guided hikes every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm during the summer.
For more information and to register please call 385-1210.

Mountain Bike Adventures

If you can ride a bike, we have a tour for you! Bring your own, or you can rent from Purgatory Sports next door. If you've never mountain biked before, we have introductory lessons and tours. We operate under a permit in the San Juan National Forest, and all of our guides are experienced local riders. They are safety conscious and know the area; best of all, they know how to have fun! For reservations and more information, call days 970.385.2141 or 970.259.7293 evenings.

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