San Juan Ski Company

details

Dates and time: Daily December- April (conditions allowing) 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Guests meet at 8 a.m., and after briefing and orientation, take a short chair-lift ride to the snowcat.

Location: Our desk is in with Backcountry Experience, an outdoor specialty store, located on the plaza level of the Purgatory Lodge at Durango Mountain Resort. DMR/Purgatory is 23 miles north of Durango (allow at least 30 minutes drive time from Durango), 23 miles south of Silverton (we do not recommend that guests stay the night in Silverton before their scheduled trip since the road is often closed for avalanche control), and an approximately three-hour drive from Telluride.

How we get to our snowcats: Guests ride a high-speed chairlift to the top of the ski area and ski/ride a short run down to our snowcat. We leave the ski area boundary immediately after loading the snowcat. At the end of the day, around 4:30 p.m., guests are dropped off at the top of a ski run and ski down to the base area.

2010/2011 Season rates: $250 for a single seat or rent the entire cat for $2,500 (up to 12 skiers/boarders).

Price includes: Avalanche safety gear, (BCA Tracker beacon, shovel and shovel pack), souvenir water bottle and water.

Rental skis: 2011 Black Diamond skis - the Justice, the Megawatt and Starlet - are available for demo at Backcountry Experience for $25. Our reservation desk is located in with the outdoor store, so renting skis is hassle free. Call 1.800.208.1780 to reserve skis. Skis MUST be reserved in advance.

Reservations: Can be booked online through our booking system 24/7 or by calling 1.800.208.1780. Our reservations line is open daily 7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.

Ability: Guests should be advanced or expert skiers and able to ski in variable snow conditions on steep treed slopes.

Reservation policy: A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required to confirm and reserve a seat, and a $1,000 deposit for a private cat. The remaining balance is due the morning of your trip.

Cancellation policy: No refunds will be given for guests who paid in full within seven days of the scheduled trip. Please understand our cancellation policy and respect our mutual commitment. We are reserving seats on our snowcat for you and your group and turning away potential guests on the day of your reservation.

Refund policy: In the rare case that skiing and boarding must be canceled, we will provide a full refund. We do not provide refunds for cancellations due to health-related issues, family emergencies, injuries or weather-related travel cancellations. We reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time and full refunds will be given. We cannot be held responsible for any guest's personal inconvenience or travel expenses.

What to bring: The weather can change quickly at high altitude. Dress in layers and bring a hat, goggles, neck gaiter, sunglasses and sunscreen. Carry a small day pack or fanny pack for your lunch, snacks, extra layers and personal items.

Snowcats: The San Juan Ski company operates two Bombardier snowcats, custom designed for comfort. Only one snowcat operates per day. Guests may also be transported by a 15-person snow coach or on snowmobiles to meet our snowcat on days when we explore the far boundaries of our terrain.