Located on Florida Road, Chapman Ski Hill has been serving the riders of Durango since 1966. This year the hill is getting some renovations that are intended to make the overall experience much more enjoyable for everyone.
Originally used in Leadville, Colorado, to train soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division, the Big Tow rope tow has officially been retired along with its smaller friend, Little Tow.
Big Tow will become a Poma lift and Little Tow will become a new rope tow located on the far left side of the hill, said Matt Nimetz, recreation faculty operations Supervisor of Chapman Hill.
“It’s a huge upgrade,” said Nimetz. “It’s starting lower and going higher, so it’s going to be a way better experience for beginner skiers and snowboarders.”
With these renovations, the tows are starting at the base of the hill, with the new Poma ending right by Fort Lewis’s property line, said Nimetz.
In addition to the new tows, new lighting specifically created to reduce light pollution, is also a part of this renovation. 70-foot-tall poles are being added to illuminate the hill, said Nimetz.
“The idea and the science behind it is they can shine the light straight down, and it’ll impact less light elsewhere because we want to be compliant with the dark skies initiative,” said Nimetz.
With the new placement of the lifts as well as the addition of the Poma, there is the ability to do more runs because your arms won’t be tired from holding onto the rope tow, said Nimetz.
This renovation also allows for riders to have a flat stop at the top to buckle their boots, as opposed to previously having to buckle up on the slope, as well as an egress down from the top to accommodate beginners, said Nimetz.
“Last year the park and the beginner hill were like the same thing, people were just meandering and instead of skiing we were just avoiding these little kids.” said Tyler Allaire, snowboarder at Fort Lewis.
Riders should now expect the hill to feel much bigger and more convenient, said Nimetz.
The new hill is anticipated to have sections for the park, which is expected to be more expanded with beginner and intermediate jumps being added, a bump line and a free-skiing line that will also be used for race lanes to be practiced on by the race team, said Nimetz.
“Chapman’s a whole mix of people, you know,” Allaire said. “You got your ski racers, and then you got your little kids just learning to ski, and then there’s people trying cool stuff in the park.”
“It’s a great place to go learn, super sick, super progressive.” said Elijah Roberts, a local snowboarder.
“I feel like everyone gets along for the most part too,” said Roberts.
The project is on schedule and predicted to be complete in late November, said Nimetz.
Chapman plans to open mid-December, however Nimetz said they will start making snow, when temperatures get low enough at night.
“Chapman Hill has been phenomenal to work with in terms of building community,” said Josh Kling, director of Fort Lewis Outdoor Pursuits. “We do skiing lessons at Chapman, so skiing is probably one of the best programs we have in terms of progression.”
Chapman plans on hosting three rail jams this season, said Nimetz.
Tickets have increased by 5% to account for the renovations, starting at $100 for an adult season pass, said Nimetz.