Purgatory Resort

Challenge

Purgatory Resort is situated 25 miles north of downtown Durango, Colorado, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. With a summit elevation of 10,822 feet, over 1,605 acres of skiable terrain, 101 trails, 13 lifts, 5 terrain parks, and a vertical drop of 2,029 ft, Purgatory is a popular resort for adventure-seekers across the southwest.

To accommodate the area’s rising popularity among both tourists and new residents, the planned build-out of 1,500 residential units and 410,000 square feet of commercial space required a comprehensive infrastructure strategy to support ongoing development while preserving the mountain's character. The site presented a range of challenges, including complex topography, limited space at the base area, and the need to manage substantial pedestrian and vehicle traffic throughout the year. Development also needed to be carefully phased to avoid interfering with winter skiing and summer recreation, all while navigating multiple jurisdictions and utility systems.

Solution

For over 20 years, SEH has partnered with the resort, the Purgatory Metropolitan District, and various private developers to guide the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure that supports the resort’s vision for continued growth.

Master Planning and Utility Infrastructure

The SEH team began by preparing conceptual master plans to guide the development of subdivisions, roadways, parking areas, water and sewer systems, and transit routes. This planning effort laid the groundwork for several major expansions and helped align future development with the resort’s operational goals. Updates to the District’s water, stormwater, and propane master plans helped support long-term sustainability and service reliability. The team also coordinated improvements to nearby infrastructure, including the widening of Twilight Dam, to enhance system capacity and resilience.

Base Area and Arrival Court Redesign

A significant portion of the work focused on improving the resort’s main arrival experience. The team worked to reimagine the skier plaza and adjacent arrival court, which serve as the central hub for shuttle buses, tour buses, private vehicles, and pedestrian traffic. The design optimized vehicle circulation and enhanced pedestrian flow between drop-off areas and day-use facilities. Improvements included new roadway alignments, pedestrian routing infrastructure, and reconstruction of the main plaza. Careful attention was given to managing freeze-thaw cycles, sun and shadow patterns, and the interface between heated and non-heated surfaces to ensure safety and durability.

Residential and Commercial Development Support

In surrounding areas throughout Purgatory Village, SEH delivered civil engineering services for a wide range of residential and mixed-use developments, including Engineer Village, Double Diamond Estates, Tacoma Village, and Black Bear Townhomes. The master plan identified land on both sides of the highway, including ski-in homesites to the south of the base area, townhomes and condos along Twilight Lake, and a large residential lot across the highway in Engineer Village.

The scope of work included site grading, utility layout, street and sidewalk design, and drainage planning. The team also designed and permitted two sewage lift stations, prepared a water master plan, and completed several drainage studies to address runoff and ensure compliance with water quality regulations. Each phase of work was tailored to integrate with the surrounding built environment and to preserve the natural landscape as much as possible. 

The design process started with a Conceptual Development Plan, which assessed the feasibility for each neighborhood and mitigation for constraints. This was followed by preliminary and final construction plans for each phase as development proceeded. The team took multiple phases of residential development, as well as a new hotel site, from concept to final approved plans, performing entitlement, planning, and engineering services. Along the way, the team's understanding of the county land use process and engineering challenges helped maximize value and overcome obstacles.

Construction Phasing and Ongoing Coordination

Construction activities were timed to occur during the shoulder seasons in spring and fall, minimizing impacts to the resort’s busiest times. Phasing required detailed coordination with resort staff, neighboring developers, and multiple stakeholders to maintain access and safety while continuing work on utilities, roadways, and plazas. SEH also provided construction inspection services to help ensure quality and adherence to the overall vision.

With more than 300 residential units and 30,000 square feet of commercial space successfully constructed or permitted, and miles of new infrastructure in place, Purgatory Resort has become a fast-growing destination in Southwest Colorado. This long-standing collaboration has helped create a cohesive, functional, and attractive environment that continues to serve the needs of residents, visitors, and the broader community.