Answer: Planning a trip to Durango, Telluride, and Moab in early January can be beautiful but requires careful attention to winter weather and road conditions. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan efficiently.
Answer: For a 7-day New Mexico and Southwest Colorado trip focusing on outdoor exploration, it’s smart to limit yourself to three bases. You’ve already chosen Santa Fe and Pagosa Springs, so your middle stop is the main question: Durango (and surrounding attractions) or Ouray (and the Million Dollar Highway). Both options offer unique experiences, and the choice depends on the activities you prioritize.
Answer: It sounds like your experience in Durango was disappointing despite enjoying the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ride. While the train is often cited as a highlight of the area, the town itself can be less appealing depending on expectations, especially regarding lodging and dining options.
Answer: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the most popular attractions in Durango, and it is highly recommended to purchase train tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during busy travel periods such as May, when spring weather and early tourist season draw many visitors.
Answer: Choosing whether to stay near Purgatory Resort or in Durango depends on how you want to balance convenience for skiing with access to restaurants, shops, and après-ski activities. Because you’re a family of six planning to ski during spring break, both locations have advantages — the right choice comes down to your priorities.
Answer: Driving from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Durango, Colorado in December can be challenging if you are not experienced with winter driving. The route is roughly 215 miles and takes about 4–5 hours under normal conditions, but winter weather can make the trip longer and more difficult. Snow, ice, and mountain passes are common, especially as you approach northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. If you have little to no experience driving in snow, it is generally not recommended to drive this route alone.
Answer: Seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis) from Durango is extremely rare because it is quite far south compared to the usual aurora zone, which is generally much closer to the Arctic Circle. However, very strong solar storms can occasionally make them visible at more southern latitudes. October can have some geomagnetic activity, so it’s worth trying if conditions are right.
Travel FAQ list for Durango
Durango
Question: Travel tips in early January
Answer: Planning a trip to Durango, Telluride, and Moab in early January can be beautiful but requires careful attention to winter weather and road conditions. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan efficiently.
View MoreDurango
Question: Durango over Ouray or help with new location
Answer: For a 7-day New Mexico and Southwest Colorado trip focusing on outdoor exploration, it’s smart to limit yourself to three bases. You’ve already chosen Santa Fe and Pagosa Springs, so your middle stop is the main question: Durango (and surrounding attractions) or Ouray (and the Million Dollar Highway). Both options offer unique experiences, and the choice depends on the activities you prioritize.
View MoreDurango
Question: Shouldn’t people go to lengths to avoid staying in Durango?
Answer: It sounds like your experience in Durango was disappointing despite enjoying the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ride. While the train is often cited as a highlight of the area, the town itself can be less appealing depending on expectations, especially regarding lodging and dining options.
View MoreDurango
Question: Durango Silverton Railway
Answer: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the most popular attractions in Durango, and it is highly recommended to purchase train tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during busy travel periods such as May, when spring weather and early tourist season draw many visitors.
View MoreDurango
Question: Where to stay for ski trip? Purgatory or in Durango?
Answer: Choosing whether to stay near Purgatory Resort or in Durango depends on how you want to balance convenience for skiing with access to restaurants, shops, and après-ski activities. Because you’re a family of six planning to ski during spring break, both locations have advantages — the right choice comes down to your priorities.
View MoreDurango
Question: Driving to Durango in December
Answer: Driving from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Durango, Colorado in December can be challenging if you are not experienced with winter driving. The route is roughly 215 miles and takes about 4–5 hours under normal conditions, but winter weather can make the trip longer and more difficult. Snow, ice, and mountain passes are common, especially as you approach northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. If you have little to no experience driving in snow, it is generally not recommended to drive this route alone.
View MoreDurango
Question: If the northern lights are visible tonight,10/10/24….
Answer: Seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis) from Durango is extremely rare because it is quite far south compared to the usual aurora zone, which is generally much closer to the Arctic Circle. However, very strong solar storms can occasionally make them visible at more southern latitudes. October can have some geomagnetic activity, so it’s worth trying if conditions are right.
View More