Winter Van Life: Hesperus Ski Area
Closed for the 2024/25 season
When We Visited: February 2020
Hesperus was the tiniest resort included with our 2019/20 Loveland Season Pass partner perks at only 60 acres and 700 vertical feet. Like Sipapu, I wouldn’t go out of my way to travel hundreds of miles to ski there. But if you have a season pass with Hesperus benefits and are planning on being in Southwest Colorado, I would stop by. I enjoyed making some turns there on our way to Purgatory after skiing Pajarito, Sipapu, and Angel Fire in New Mexico.
If you’re a strong intermediate skier or snowboarder, I’d recommend Hesperus for increasing your comfort level with advanced runs, bumps, and perhaps the occasional powder day.
The runs are short, so it’s harder to get tired too quickly. You can see most of the mountain from the bottom, so you know what you’re committing to and can identify ways to bail out if you don’t like how it’s going. Hesperus is uncrowded, so you can strictly focus on improving your skills instead of avoiding people when your skis don’t go in the right direction. And the advanced runs aren’t so steep that you can’t see what you’re dropping into from the top. Coverage probably won’t be perfect, and the snow may not be soft, but it will teach you how to cope with less than ideal conditions.
As of 2022/23, adult lift tickets are only $48 for a full day or $36 for night skiing. You can train to become a solid skier or rider at Hesperus before forking out the big bucks at a much larger resort.
Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to Hesperus
ski-hesperus.com
11 miles west of Durango on Highway 160
(970) 385-2199
info@ski-hesperus.com
Lift Hours
Pass affiliation: Power Pass 2023/24, Loveland 2023/24
Mountain Stats
- Annual snowfall: 150 inches
- Skiable terrain: 60 acres
- Vertical descent: 700 feet
- More stats
Driving to Hesperus
Highway 160 to Hesperus is very mellow. It’s curvy, but I wouldn’t call it mountain driving. No steep climbs, switchbacks, or cliffs with guardrails.
For road conditions, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Parking at Hesperus
There is a single, small lot at the base. The parking lot was so muddy, we had to be in 4WD.
Working Remotely at Hesperus
AT&T cell service worked well for us in the Hesperus parking lot. However, we weren’t there long enough to do any work and really put it to the test.
Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV
We had plans to move on to Purgatory, so I didn’t ask if they allowed overnight RV camping during the 2019/20 season. However, the parking lot was very muddy and unlevel, so I wouldn’t have wanted to stay overnight anyway.
Oasis Durango – 18.7 miles / 20 minutes in Durango – This is a former KOA recently purchased by Roberts Resorts and they are now open year-round. Nightly, weekly, and extended stays are available In the off-season/winter. I happened to come across this RV park online by accident, so we have not stayed here or driven by it yet.
Alpen Rose RV Park – 18.1 miles / 25 minutes in Durango – We noticed this RV park was open when we drove by in April 2023. They started offering sites year-round during the 2021/22 winter season after our first visit to the Durango area. They have daily, weekly, and monthly rates. Tents and truck campers are not allowed, and RVs must be RVIA certified with an affixed RVIA seal.
Westerly RV Park – 20.9 miles / 25 minutes in Durango – We haven’t stayed here because I think the nightly rate is too high without showers. Showers are the main reason we choose to ever stay at an RV park.
Conveniences Near Hesperus
The town of Durango should have most everything you could need. It’s about 15 minutes to downtown from the ski area.
For groceries, we like Albertsons for earning fuel points.
For showers, we like the Durango Community Recreation Center unless you’re staying at an RV park with shower amenities. During our February 2020 visit, the parking lot was almost full, but it was easy to occupy one of several showers. Per reception, if they’re not busy, you can use a private family room for your shower. Otherwise, the showers in the main bathroom area each had their own private space behind a curtain.
For a laundromat with shower amenities, check out North Main Laundry. There are other laundromats in Durango, but I picked this place because it seemed the easiest for parking our van. They also have coin-op showers but we haven’t tried using them yet. Reviews consistently state they are clean.
For a dump station, check out the Speedway Fuel Station on Highway 160. We used their dump station in February 2020. If you have a fixed propane tank, supposedly this place can fill it. Call (970) 259-2440 for more information.
Closest Ski Areas to Hesperus
- Purgatory Resort (Power Pass 2024/25) – 39 miles / 45 minutes in Durango
- Silverton Mountain – 66.3 miles / 90 minutes in Silverton
- Wolf Creek Ski Area – 95.3 miles / 2 hours on Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork
- Telluride (Epic Pass 2024/25) – 98.7 miles / 2 hours in Telluride
Other Winter Activities
Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa – 20.9 miles / 25 minutes in Durango – Reviews for Westerly RV Park, which doesn’t have a bathhouse, suggested this place for a shower. However, nowadays, it’s a pricey place for just a shower ($39) and better for a hot springs soak to soothe your body after a day of skiing. Reservations are required.
Animas River Trail – 11.9 miles / 15 minutes in Durango – I discovered this trail by accident when we were at Albertson’s. You can access the trail directly from their parking lot.
Million Dollar Highway – US-550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado, is ranked in my top 5 most scenic byways in the western half of the US. Purgatory is also located off of US-550 and is only 22.5 miles south of Silverton.
The portion of US-550 between Durango and Silverton is also stunning and is part of the San Juan Skyway which overlaps with the Million Dollar Highway. There are many pullouts along the way and signs pointing out peaks and their top elevations. Don’t miss stopping at Molas Pass for 360 degree views.
If you are looking for a place to stay in your van/RV on the Ouray side of the Million Dollar Highway, check out Basecamp 550 in Ridgway. I think they might have my most favorite view from an RV park. Just book their “Scenic Full Hookup RV Site”. Rigs must be 25 feet or less to use these sites.
Mesa Verde National Park – 23.6 miles / 25 minutes near Mancos – Go back to the time of Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the Four Corners region for more than 700 years. While tours to the cliff dwellings aren’t available in winter, a scenic drive will still give you viewing access of many structures. Weather permitting.
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Mesa Verde, check out Canyon Trails Ranch via Hipcamp.
Located in Cortez, they are only 35 minutes from the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center and offer tent and RV camping, as well as shepherd camp wagons. They even have a flush toilet and a clean, hot shower. We’ve mentioned a lot of all-time favorites in this article and this Hipcamp is another one. They have beautiful views and quick access to hiking trails in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. I can’t wait to go back for horseback riding!
