River rats flock to the annual kayaker's rodeo which takes place along the Animas River and concludes at Santa Rita Park, just 2 miles south of town. In the summer months you can attend the local professional rodeo every Tuesday night at the fair grounds, practically in the center of town. The La Plata and San Juan mountain ranges add to the skyline to the north and west, while unbroken expanses open up to the south toward New Mexico. This historic steam engine train runs daily, traveling almost 100 miles roundtrip from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, along a breathtaking route following the Animas river. If the scenery doesn't impress you, then the engineering feat that made it possible certainly will.
Winters are full of outdoor opportunities as well.
If you don't ski, you can rent snowshoes, snowmobiles,or cross country skis. Horse drawn sleighs are available for dashing through the snow, and will even take you to a country house for dinner. Purgatory is perfect for families and first time skiers. They even offer an Adaptive Sports Program for teaching all levels of the handicapped to ski. For the truly adventurous, snow cat skiing is available for those wanting to ski or snowboard a truly fresh expanse of snow in the back country.