Skiing at Durango Mountain - expert - I'll always remember when I first came to Durango Mountain resort. I was fifteen years old, with my family, and I had never seen mountains as high as those surrounding the resort. Nestled between the continent's largest concentration of 14,000 foot peaks to say this place is scenic is like saying that BASE jumping is crazy. Of course. It should go without saying that the snowfall is tremendous because of this prime high alpine real estate, and the days primarily are sunny here, with most snow falling magically during the dark hours. A consistent pitch and heavy forestation mixed with the remoteness of the San Juan Mountains mean that you can truly get away from the entire I-70 feeling. The timelessness of its beauty can make a weekend seem like a year. Lower Hades is one of the finest show off spots ever (not that you'd ever want to show off). Joey Smallwood