Purgatory Resort: From Vision to Reality: The Colorado Couloir

For years, the steep, roadless terrain on the front side was a hidden gem known to many as the Gelande Lift project. This winter, it officially becomes the Colorado Couloir.

The name says it all. This is steep, technical, unapologetic high-alpine skiing. We’re talking glades, tight chutes, and some of the most challenging terrain Purgatory has ever offered. But this mountain isn’t just about the adrenaline—it’s about making the mountain experience smoother and more connected for our community. The Colorado Couloir is a fixed-grip triple chairlift that climbs 1,625 vertical feet directly from the Gelande parking area to the upper mountain.

What does that mean for you? It eliminates the old shuttle ride, creating a seamless new access point so you can get straight to the top. The ride itself climbs at a staggering 60% grade (rising 6 feet for every 10 feet forward), giving intermediate and expert skiers a perfect aerial preview of the raw lines they’re about to drop into.

Our crews have been working tirelessly alongside these specialized flight teams. Because this mountainside is entirely roadless, helicopters are being used to fly in concrete forms, materials, and even clear timber. This advanced construction method allows us to build out seven new trails and connectors while strictly minimizing the footprint and disturbance to the beautiful San Juan landscape we all call home.

Keeping the Spirit—and Equipment—In the Family

At Purgatory, staying true to who we are means finding creative ways to grow sustainably. In a proud nod to mountain heritage and sustainability, the Colorado Couloir incorporates the chairs, grips, and internal machinery from Telluride’s retired Plunge Lift. By keeping this proven, heavy-duty equipment out of the landfill and giving it a second life in the San Juan Mountains, we’re marrying local history with the future of our mountain.

This project is the realization of a long-range vision originally approved in our 2008 Improvement Plan and reaffirmed in 2019. It represents a core piece of the $7 million in capital improvements happening right here at Purgatory this summer, and part of the historic $37.5 million investment across our wider Mountain Capital Partners network.