Weekend in Durango The Art of Slowing Down by Joy Martin
Kennan Harvey
T
he magic of winter in the San Juan Mountains is like a good cup of tea, warming your soul from the inside out. If you only have a couple of days to enjoy southwest Colorado during this bewitching time of year, wrap your hands around a cuppa and give this dream itinerary a quick read. Then bundle up and head out into the wonderland. Your weekend in Durango kicks off with a day of skiing or snowboarding at Purgatory Resort. If you didn’t bring your own, rent skis at one of Durango’s convenient ski shops located along Highway 550. Or you can reserve rentals for pickup at Purgatory upon arrival. On your way out of Durango, swing by Jean Pierre Bakery, Café and Wine Bar for hot coffee and a croissant to add flavor to the journey. As you climb in elevation, don’t be shy about stopping the car to absorb the million-dollar views of snowcapped Engineer Mountain and frosted evergreens feathering the San Juans’ dramatic ridgelines. As long as nature’s pulling at your heartstrings, stay the course and arrive at Purgatory ready to be invigorated by the fresh air. Refresh your skills with a one-on-one lesson or head straight up the lift for instant exhilaration. With more than 1,100 acres of skiable terrain, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy before you carry on to Durango Hot Springs
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Resort & Spa for an afternoon soak or spa treatment. After a full day of fresh air, nothing hits the spot like delicious, traditional Mexican food at Nayarit, in Durango. Snuggle up in a booth, order a house margarita, and salivate over classic Nayarit fare, like Molcajete de Mariscos, Fajitas Camaron, or Mahi Tacos. Satiated by all the good things, you’ll be ready to fall asleep as quickly as flurries melt on the windshield. Wake up to your quads reminding you of yesterday’s adventures and treat yourself to a cozy breakfast at Oscar’s Café in Town Plaza. Today’s itinerary is much more relaxed, so there’s no need to rush. Warmed by bottomless coffee and giant pancakes, a brisk walk on the Animas River Trail is the perfect antidote to bring some life back into your weary legs. The paved trail stretches nearly 10 miles along the Animas and can be accessed from a number of points. Whether the river is laced with ice or the path is packed with snow, you’ll see that the trail is the heartbeat of Durango, pulsing with the hum of bikes, strollers, and conversations. If the weather is a bit too cold for a walkabout or you’d prefer some inside downtime, cruise over to the Sky Ute Casino Resort for an afternoon of bowling at Rolling Thunder Lanes. Whatever way you wander, circle back to Durango’s Main Avenue for some local shopping. Duck into Maria’s Bookshop
