Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles north of Durango, will hold Benefit Day Wednesday, Nov. 22, and it could be the biggest and best season debut in years with beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain from top to bottom skiing and snowboarding.

"It’s a blockbuster start to the season," Bob Kunkle, senior vice president of Durango Mountain Resort, commented. "Early snows have been frequent and deep. And with more than $5 million in improvements resort-wide, skiers and boarders are in for a real treat."

According to a resort spokesperson, more than 60 percent of the entire mountain will be open, including trails served by the Hermosa Park Express high-speed quad lift from Styx all the way over to Snag.

A total of 100 percent of the front side of the mountain will be open on Wednesday. All trails served by the quaddd will be open, too. A total of 47 trails are set to open, served by lift nos. 6, 2, 4, and the Hermosa Park Express. A total of 443 acres of terrain is open. According to the latest report, the mid-mountain snow depth is 35 inches with 1.5 inches of new snow.

"To put that into perspective, we will have open an area the size of 443 football fields. We’re looking at one of the strongest opening weekends in many years," he added.

Proceeds are being donated to a worthy community cause. This year proceeds will benefit the Durango World Cup Mountain Bike Event, set for July, 2001. Lift tickets are $10 across the board.

The Telluride Ski Area will open its lifts for Donation Day today, Nov. 21, and all net lift ticket proceeds will go to Telluride’s ski and snowboard competitive youth programs including the Alpine Racing Team, the Freestyle Team, and the Snowboard Team.

The Telluride Mountain will have more than 70 percent of the terrain open, accessed by 10 out of 12 lifts for the first day of the season.

The Telluride Ski and Golf Company (Telski) is reporting a 26-inch settled base at mid-mountain and 27 inches at the summit. A total of 66 percent of the mountain is open. Telski reports it plans to open lifts no. 1 (the chondola), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on Donation Day. The ski area is located about 65 miles north of Cortez, just off Colorado Highway 145.

Telluride’s Ski and Snowboard School for adults and children, the nursery, and the Gorrono Ranch Restaurant will be also be open. The gondola is open and will be open for mountain access on Donation and throughout the season.

"The natural snow we received last weekend, comined with our snowmaking crew’s efforts, has made for a good base for opening day and Thanksgiving Weekend of us," Terry Fernald, vice president of mountain operations for Telski, said. "We plan to have 10 lifts open, which includes the two legs of the gondola, and more than 60 percent of the lift-served skiing terrain in the lift 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 pods. We’ve received enough snow to open our steepest trails, including The Plunge, Bushwacker, Mammouth, and Joint Point."

Lift ticket prices are $20 for everyone except children five and under for Donation Day. All season pass and Telluride Card holders will be required to purchase a ticket because it is a donation day. Surface conditions are good to excellent on the upper slopes with some early-season conditions existing on the lower slopes.

Early season prices and Ski Free and More go into effect Wednesday, Nov. 22, and that goes until Dec. 16. Full-day ticket prices are $40 for adults and $22 for children. Skiers staying at participating Telluride properties until Dec. 16 and again from April 2-15 Ski Free and More by choosing a free day of skiing, ski school clinic, lunch on the mountain, or a half-day of child care for each night they stay.

Reports from Wolf Creek Ski Area, located at the top of Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs, say skiing and snowboarding is excellent right now.

The area opened Oct. 28 after some late fall winter-like storms put down a base of 63 inches with 50 inches at midway. The surface conditions are excellent on powder and packed powder. A total of 90 percent of the mountain is open with six lifts operating. The Water Fall Area, Knife Ridge, and Alberta Peak are all open. The area is open from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. daily.

The adult all-day lift ticket is $38 and $25 for children aged 12 or younger.

Ski Hesperus, located about 36 miles east of Cortez on U.S. Highway 160, is not open but has received several inches of snow. That is a good sign because the small area did not even open last year and was only open a few days over the past two years. If all goes well, it is hoped the area will open before Christmas.

The Kendall Mountain Ski Area and Ice Rink, located in Silverton, will open for the season Friday, Dec. 1. The ice rink is open daily whenever there is ice. Use of the ice rink is free of charge. Rental skates are available at the Chamber of Commerce at the entrance of town for 50 cents. The ski area is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with longer hours for holidays. Prices are $6 adult all day ($50 season pass), children (7-18) $3 ($30 season), and seniors 65 plus $3 and $30. Family passes are available. For details, phone (970) 387-5522.