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OnTheSnow.com’s visitors and app users have chosen Purgatory as the best ski area for beginners in North America in its annual Visitors’ Choice Awards for the 2025-2026 season. OnTheSnow’s users, who take millions of destination ski trips each winter, rate and review the resorts they visit for characteristics such as terrain, après-ski, family friendliness, terrain parks, and more. Purgatory was rated the no. 1 ski resort for beginners.
Purgatory boasts an impressive school that has everything from child, youth, and adult group lessons to private instruction to multi-week programs to clinics and more. Purgatory’s most unique offering for beginners is the Free Beginner Experience, which is offered throughout the winter for those who have never skied or snowboarded before. It’s a free lesson, however, guests will need to purchase lift ticket and rentals. The one-hour experience offer a nice introduction to skiing and riding for first-timers.
Purgatory Reviews From OnTheSnow Users
“We love Durango and Purgatory! Great town and super friendly locals and visitors on the mountain. Its a surprisingly large ski area and never has disappointed.” – Tony
“This has been our best family vacation! It’s a family friendly environment and the staff have treated us so good. The kids enjoyed everything about the snow.” – Lauren
“Would recommend. Short lift lines. We had a great time. I learned to ski here and picked it up in about an hour due to the great instructors. Very good for intermediate skiers.” – Aiden
OnTheSnow wants to continue to hear from skiers and snowboarders about ski resorts they’ve recently visited. Leave a review here for any ski resorts you’ve visited this season. Congrats to Purgatory and all of the 2025-26 Visitors’ Choice Award winners.
2025-2026 Visitors Choice Award Winners
Best Overall Resort: Banff Sunshine
Best All-Mountain Terrain: Jackson Hole
Most Family Friendly: Winter Park
Best Après-Ski: Telluride
Best Terrain Park: Copper Mountain
Best Small Ski Area: Wolf Creek
Header image ©Christian Ridings/Purgatory
March 17, 2026
