SnoNews

Bring on a snowy 2019! If your resolution is to ski/ride more, you’re in the right place - read on for the snow jackpots in our forecast. 

Mountain biking is king at Purgatory. (Purgatory/Facebook)

As Durango businessman James Coleman bought five southwest Rockies resorts, he promised to put significant money into improvements at these mountains in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

James Coleman, owner of Purgatory Resort, Arizona Snowbowl, Pajarito Mountain and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, is acquiring Hesperus Ski Area. (Scott DW Smith)

Hesperus Ski Area, 11 miles west of Durango, Colorado, is now part of the Power Pass, the largest ski area collective in the Southwest, with unlimited skiing and snowboarding at five resorts: Purgatory, Pajarito Mountain, Arizona Snowbowl, Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, and Hesperus. 

For 50 years, winter sports-lovers have made the drive up the Animas River to strap on skis (and, later snowboards) to hit the slopes at Purgatory in the middle of Colorado's San Juan Mountains.

A large ski resort group in the Southwest is investing $10 million in mountain improvements for the 2015/2016 ski and snowboard season, including three new quads, more trails, and additional snowmaking infrastructure. 

Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort -- the New Mexico ski and snowboard mountain known for long seasons and beginner friendliness -- will put in a new chairlift this summer to serve more of the mountain's easier terrain.

For three decades, Purgatory loyalists have relied upon old-faithful Legends Lift 8 to take them to the tranquility, bumps and glades of Durango Mountain’s back side. That's about to change.

James Coleman, a local Durango resident and avid skier, finalized his purchase of Durango Mountain Resort this week and promptly changed the name of the iconic Southwestern Colorado resort back to Purgatory.

Better late than never. A south-arcing storm system this week put enough snow down at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area to get the lifts finally spinning for the 2015 season.

Skiers and riders in the Southwest may be the biggest winners as the market for Western resorts remains hot. A Durango businessman and avid skier with ownership interests in two northern New Mexico resorts, has purchased both Durango Mountain Resort and Arizona Snowbowl.The new collective is now the largest in the region.

Skiers and riders in the Southwest may be the biggest winners as the market for Western resorts remains hot. A Durango businessman with ownership interests in two Northern New Mexico resorts, has purchased both Durango Mountain Resort and Arizona Snowbowl.

After abruptly closing down mid-season in 2014, Pajarito Mountain has a new life as nearby Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort agreed to take over operations at the local hill above Los Alamos, N.M.

A combination of declining ticket sales and poor snow years has forced members of the Los Alamos Ski Club in New Mexico to seek outside help to keep Pajarito Mountain open.