As the saying goes, time flies when you are having fun! After three heroic Wednesday nights, the 2018 McDonald's Twilight Nights Race Series is in the books. Thank you for participating, inviting a friend, and making lemonade out of lemons. For what has been a somewhat lackluster snow year, you'd never know with the great conditions and Wednesday night stoke at the base of Purgatory where winter was alive and well. The cover of last week's Telegraph captured the spirit of the event with grinning racers talking off into the dark.

Yes, next week is the final race of the 3-race McDonald's Twilight Nights Series and many winners will be crowned. Sweet prizes will be award to the overall winners for male / female and youth / adult for each event: fat bike, snowshoe, skate skiing and snow beast (one race - each category).

But we believe everyone who participates in McDonald's Twilight Nights is a winner. Beyond pretty much guaranteed schwag from our awesome sponsors -- McDonald's, Carver's Brewing, CrossFit Catacombs, Durango Nordic, Durango Running Company, Mountain Bike Specialists, Pine Needle and Purgatory -- cheating "the man" by sneaking out on a Wednesday night to hang out and enjoy life with fellow free-spirited people at the base of Purgatory is priceless. 

The McDonald's Twilight Nights is too fun not to share the love, so we are letting any first timer to try it for FREE next Wednesday, January 17th. No equipment?  No problem. Durango Nordic, Mountain Bike Specialists, and Durango Running Company all have loaner gear available upon reservation.  (photo courtesy of Morgan Galvin Photo)

The Nordic Center may be closed, but the McDonald's Twilight Night Series CONTINUES ON! This is your chance to get on some some and play. Calling all Nordic skiers, fat bikers, snowshoers, and Wednesday warriors, the McDonald's Twilight Nights Is BACK and better than ever starting next week! Join us for stoke and high fives every Wednesday in January at the base of Purgatory.

Fun + Fitness + Friends = Durango Nordic Masters.  The Masters Program is for adults with Nordic skiing experience.  It is designed to improve physical fitness and technique, connect participants with a group of fellow skiing enthusiasts, and prepare athletes to compete in a marathon ski race.

Local philanthropists purchase 190 acres of Boyce Lake and Tacoma Village Land at DMR with the goal of preserving Purgatory’s Nordic ski trails

DURANGO, Colo. – JM Boyce Lake Land Holdings, LLC, owned by local philanthropists Jane and Marc Katz, announced today that they have purchased 190 acres of land in the Boyce Lake and Tacoma Village area within the Durango Mountain Resort community.

Thank you to everyone that sent emails to San Juan County regarding the proposed Motorcoach Development. Roughly 150 emails were received by the San Juan County planner; all supported the Nordic Center's position stated in our letter to the planner.  

Our goal is to secure, in perpetuity, the essential function of the North Loop and other existing trails which critically extend and connect the trail network that straddles San Juan and La Plata Counties and to secure in perpetuity a network of trails in the Boyce Lake Village development.  This goal is consistent with, and in fulfillment of, the Trail and Recreational Uses Master Plan for Durango Mountain Resort dated February 28, 2003. 

We need your help to support the future of our trails at the Nordic Center. This request should take no more than 5 minutes of your time. Please take a moment to help us out.

The Nordic Center is under significant development pressure. Our first challenge is to provide critical input to San Juan County to prevent loss of the North Loop to a proposed 190 unit high density Motorcoach development. This is the highest density development proposed on our trails and the current developer has not been open to keeping the North Loop as part of the development. We ask that you send your concern via email to the County Planner; the email address and instructions are provided below.  

As of March 19th 2017 we have good coverage on our trails, but the snow is beginning to get dirty with dust and tree debris.  But brown snow is better than no snow!!  With the current warm temperatures the skiing is definitely better in the morning than the afternoon when it gets slushy in the sun and variable from sun to shade.  There is a storm in the forecast for Thursday, March 23rd but also some high temps.  If we get much rain we may have to close but if we get snow it will help get us through the weekend.  So we are certainly open through Wednesday but check back on Thursday to see what mother nature has delivered!

Experience the alpine glow of the Twilight Peaks and the rise of the full moon on Saturday, March 11. An event for the whole family; there will be a roaring fire for s'mores, refreshments from Ska, Animas Chocolate Company and Coca Cola, and soups to savor with pastries from Bread. Mark your calendars - March 11th.

Langlauf is German for big party on the deck. Well not strictly speaking but this year's Langlauf promises to be like none other with live music, tasty food and local beer from Carvers and Ska. And yes, of course there is a race to contend with. The Nordic Center’s toughest endeavour, the 15k and 30k Langlauf freestyle event offers big climbs, scenic views, thrilling descents, excellent snow conditions, and a great after party with friends new and old!

Join us on February 11th. Register online by February 9th and save!  REGISTER HERE. Online registration open through February 9th.

The Durango Nordic Ski Club and our title event sponsor, Fort Lewis College, is proud to host the Rocky Mountain Nordic Junior National Qualifying (JNQ) Races on February 18 and 19, 2017 at the Purgatory Nordic Center.  Athletes ages 6 to 19 from across the State of Colorado will come to Durango to compete in this 2 day event. Durango hosts one of four Rocky Mountain Nordic JNQs for the 2016-2017 race season. For details on start times, results, and overall event schedule, visit Durango JNQ.