Purgatory is scheduled to open for the 2026–27 winter on Friday, November 20, according to its opening-day event page. The big project of the year is the Colorado Couloir, the new chairlift that climbs from the Gelande parking area. Its opening target is December 2026, so it is not set to run on opening day.
That gap changes what the first weeks look like. The upgrades skiers can use in late November are on the gentle side of the mountain: added snowmaking on Divinity, a free season pass for kids 12 and under, and a pass lineup with a better deal for bringing friends. The expert terrain comes later, and when it arrives depends on a rope, a bottom terminal and a state inspection.
Two calendars on one mountain
Here is how the season's dates line up, with each item's current status:
| Date | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2026 | Resort opening day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Purgatory Village Express | Scheduled, weather permitting |
| Nov. 26, 2026 | Thanksgiving dinner at Purgy's | On the resort calendar |
| December 2026 | Colorado Couloir lift and its new terrain | Target date, conditions permitting |
| Dec. 31, 2026 | New Year's Eve fireworks and torchlight ski parade | On the resort calendar |
Opening day sounds promising. The resort's event page says the mountain "has already been blanketed with its first few coverings of snow" and calls this an El Niño winter. Opening-day festivities are listed as "to be announced soon." In September, KRQE reported that the November 20 date depends on the weather.
The Couloir's December date has been the plan since summer. In a July construction update, Purgatory said the lift was "scheduled to debut this December, conditions permitting." That update also retired the old planning name, the Gelande lift.
What still stands between the towers and the first chair
August 17 and 18 were the dramatic part of the build. Helicopters carried tower sections, crossarms and sheave assemblies up the line. By the end of the second day, every tower was standing with its sheaves hung, and the top terminal was built.
The resort's Sept. 1 progress post listed the work still remaining, in order:
- The bottom terminal, which drives the lift
- The haul rope that carries the chairs
- The electrical work and controls that operate the lift
- Testing and certification by the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board, which makes the lift "officially lift-ready"
That post is still the latest construction update in the resort's Purg-spective blog series. The next entry, on October 8, covered snowmaking. Purgatory has said it expects guests to ride the lift "this winter," and the target month is still December. Until the state signs off, the target is a plan, not a date.
Once it runs, the lift makes a real difference. Unofficial Networks lists the Colorado Couloir as a fixed-grip triple about 4,439 feet long, with about 1,625 feet of vertical rise. It serves roughly 40 acres of advanced and expert terrain, including seven new trails and connectors, steep glades and technical skiing. Crews have finished glading and brushwork on both the new runs and the existing runs in that area. In July, Purgatory said it would announce the names of the new trails later in the summer.
The Gelande lot, before and after
The Couloir also changes how you get onto the mountain. It loads at the Gelande parking area and runs to the upper mountain. Purgatory says this gives direct access without the old shuttle ride to the village. Skiers who park at Gelande will be able to get into the lift network without going through the Columbine or Village base areas.
That change starts when the chair starts turning. Opening day itself is listed at Purgatory Village Express, which means the season begins at the village.
Where the new snowmaking goes
The project likely to matter first this season is on beginner terrain. Purgatory calls it the Divinity Pipeline. It adds about 13 acres of snowmaking coverage from the top of Twilight Chair, Lift 4, down to the lift's midway loading station.
Location is the point. In the resort's words:
"For many guests, Divinity is a primary learning area after graduating from the Columbine Beginner area. It's a place where beginners learn to link their first turns, families spend time together, and returning skiers build the skills that allow them to explore more of the mountain."
Before this project, the next step up from Columbine relied more on natural snow. The Oct. 8 post says the added coverage gives the snowmaking team "more flexibility when building the mountain early in the season." It also says the work will "support our ski school and learning programs." Early season is when gaps in natural snow show up most, and early season is the stretch before the Couloir's December target. For a family whose kids have moved past the beginner area, Divinity is where this season's investment is likely to show up first.
Kids ski free, and the price math for everyone else
The pass lineup also favors families and new skiers. Purgatory's Power Kids pass is still free and unlimited for children 12 and under, and no adult pass purchase is required. KRQE reported that kids 12 and under ski free all season with no blackout dates.
Adult pass prices are flat. The season pass page says starting prices are held at 2023 levels, with lower monthly payment plans available. Every passholder gets an RFID card this season. The bigger change is the Buddy Ticket benefit. Nearly every pass now includes six tickets at 50% off the online rate, which helps when visiting family or friends join a ski day.
Daily tickets have a wide price range. KRQE reported that tickets would be under $50 on 95 days of the 2026–27 season, about 70% of scheduled operating days, with some dates starting at $9. Online prices vary by date, so it pays to check the calendar before buying.
Holiday dates on the resort calendar
Two events are already on the resort's calendar:
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving dinner at Purgy's, the week after opening day
- Thursday, Dec. 31: New Year's Eve drinks, fireworks and a torchlit ski parade
If the Couloir opens on its December target, New Year's Eve could be one of the first big nights with the new lift running. If certification takes longer, the season still opens as planned, with new snowmaking on Divinity and free passes for kids.
If you own a condo or cabin up the valley and want to know where your place stands before the season gets going, Judi Mora can walk you through it. Request a Free Home Valuation, and you'll have your answer before the Couloir carries its first chair.
