Ear to the ground

“I love the smell of mucus in the morning.”

– One of the thousands of Durangoans plagued by dust, pollen and viruses

The second season

The local ski season is heading into double bonus overtime. With more than 220 inches of snow this season and spring skiing still in its prime, Purgatory will stay open for an extra weekend. The lifts will roll from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 8-10. Chairs 1, 3 and 8 will run for the extended season, and the forecast looks promising for some last-minute powder.

“Looks like our slopes will be freshened up since this week’s forecast is calling for a chance of snow through the weekend,” said Mike McCormack, Senior Vice President of Mountain Operations for DMR. “With our expanded fleet of snowcats and enhanced grooming efforts, Purg continues to have excellent spring skiing conditions, so we want everyone to be able to break out the skis one last time this season.”

The shift in operating hours will allow more time for the morning snow to soften and enable guests to enjoy the extended daylight hours. Weekday passes will be honored, and lift tickets are discounted all weekend – $40 for adults, $32 for students and $25 for kids.

Locals can also bid Old Man Winter farewell with an “End of Season Blowout,” as Purgatory is offering generous lift and lodging options April 7-11. For more info, visit www.durangomountainresort.com.

The Durango bootleg

Durango raises its glass to 78 sobriety-free years this week. The Durango Bootlegger’s Society – Carver Brewing, Ska Brewing, Steamworks and Durango Brewing – brings the SpeakEasy Tapping Party back to Carvers on Thurs., April 7. The event commemorating the repeal of Prohibition begins at 6 p.m.

Carvers will trip back in time to Prohibition-era Durango for the event. The brew pub will feature a speakeasy door with door guys clad in 1930s clothing, and Women’s Temperance activists will protest out front. The bootleggers will also be cracking out the 8th annual Spring Tonic Elixir, a collectively brewed dark lager based on a “medicinal” Prohibition-era recipe.

Fort Lewis College’s Duane Smith will entertain the crowd with colorful anecdotes of the area’s brewing history before toasting guests with the first pour of Spring Tonic. Immediately following the tapping, local bluegrass band Wild Mountain will perform.  Proceeds from a suggested $1 donation at the door and $8 Bootlegger Jars (first fill free) will benefit the Animas Museum. For more information, call 259-2545.