Hesperus Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hesperus Ski Area |
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The ski area in summer
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 Hesperus Ski Area
Location in Colorado
Hesperus Ski Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hesperus La Plata County, Colorado |
| Nearest city | Durango: 11 mi (18 km) |
| Coordinates | 37°17′52″N 108°03′18″W / 37.29778°N 108.05500°W |
| Vertical | >700 ft (210 m) |
| Top elevation | 8,888 ft (2,709 m) |
| Base elevation | 8,200 ft (2,500 m) |
| Skiable area | 60 acres (0.2 km2) |
| Runs | 26 – 30% easiest – 20% more difficult – 50% experts only |
| Lift system | 1 double chair |
| Snowfall | 150 inches (380 cm) |
| Night skiing | yes |
The Hesperus Ski Area is a fun place to ski and snowboard! It is located near the town of Hesperus, in the southwestern part of Colorado. You can find it right off U.S. Highway 160, just west of the town.
What Can You Do at Hesperus Ski Area?
Hesperus Ski Area has 13 different ski runs for you to enjoy. These runs are rated by how difficult they are:
- About 30% of the runs are for beginners, marked with a green circle
. These are the easiest slopes. - Around 20% are for intermediate skiers, marked with a blue square
. These are a bit more challenging. - A big 50% are for expert skiers, marked with a double black diamond
. These are the hardest runs!
The highest point you can ski from is 8,880 feet above sea level. The base of the mountain is 8,200 feet high. This means you get to ski down a vertical drop of 680 feet!
Lifts and Facilities
To get up the mountain, Hesperus Ski Area has one double chair. There used to be a rope tow, but it has not been used for many years.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, there are other cool things to do:
- Grab a snack at the full-service snack bar.
- Rent skis or snowboards if you do not have your own.
- Take lessons to improve your skiing or snowboarding skills.
- Have fun tubing down a special hill!
A Look at Hesperus's History
The Hesperus Ski Area first opened its doors in 1962. It has been open for skiing and snowboarding off and on over the years. Good news for winter sports fans: it has been open every single season since 2006!
