Lodging (Area Code 970)

Durango Mountain Resort has three primary lodging areas. The condos at the base area are the most expensive. A limited number of resort hotels and condos within 10 miles of the ski area are slightly less. Motels in Durango can cost as little as $29 per night, but are 25 miles away. Except on holidays, motel reservations are seldom needed in town. All Durango and Durango Mountain Resort lodging can be booked through Durango Mountain Resort Reservations, (800) 525-0892, or the Durango Area Reservations (800) 525-8855. Online, check lodgings at www.durango.org. Several Durango properties are listed at Vacation Rentals by Owner, www.vrbo.com.

Base-area lodging is available at the Purgatory Village Condominium Hotel (800-693-0175; 385-2100; $$–$$$$), and the following condo complexes: Angelhaus (247-8090; $$–$$$$), Brimstone (259-1066; $$–$$$$), East Rim (385-2100; $$–$$$$; above), Edelweiss, Graysill, Sitzmark and Twilight View (all $$–$$$$). Condos are full-service units with kitchens, fireplaces, common-area hot tubs and laundry facilities.

Several other full-service resorts are within 10 miles of the ski area: Cascade Village (800-525-0896; $$–$$$$), Silver Pick (800-295-4820; $$–$$$$) and Lodge at Tamarron (259-2000; $$–$$$$). Most of these outlying complexes offer free shuttles to the ski area.

Comfortable in-town lodging can be found at the Hampton Inn (247-2600), the Doubletree (259-6580), which accepts pets, and the Marriott Residence Inn (259-6200).

A plethora of older, less-expensive motels line North Main Ave., including the Day's End (259-3311). The Spanish Trails Inn (247-4173) offers kitchenettes and is across the street from City Market. For fans of funky (but clean) little motels, consider the Wapiti Lodge (247-3961), which is walking distance to downtown.

Five historic lodging properties are worth mentioning. The Strater Hotel (800-247-4431; $$$; above right) and the General Palmer Hotel (800-523-3358; $$–$$$) are multistory, brick hotels that date back over 100 years. Both are in the heart of the walkable downtown area. The Strater has a great Victorian-style hot tub area that would be the envy of many larger, more sophisticated properties and its Diamond Belle Saloon is a classic that's now non-smoking.

Leland House Bed & Breakfast (left) and The Rochester Hotel, (800-664-1920 for both; $$–$$$ for both) across the street from each other on East Second Ave., are historic lodges owned by the same family, located in the heart of the downtown historic district. The Rochester has two dog-friendly rooms. The Leland House has a Durango history theme, with the rooms named after local historic figures. The Rochester Hotel has a Hollywood theme, with each room named for a film shot at least in part in Durango. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Around The World in 80 Days" and "City Slickers" were all filmed in this region. Jarvis Suites (800-824-1024; 259-6190; $$-$$$) at 10th and Main are newly redecorated with a killer view of the action on Main St. Built in 1888, the hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two B&B's between Durango and the ski area bear mention: Apple Orchard Inn (247-0751; $$), on CR203 near Trimble Hot Springs, and Country Sunshine (247-2853; $$), near where CR250 runs into 550N. Staying at either would drastically reduce the amount of driving you do.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less.