Chapman Hill will open its ski slope in Durango this weekend.
The in-town municipal ski hill has been making snow every night since Nov. 29, with the exception of one night when temperatures were too warm, said Matt Morrissey, recreation supervisor at Chapman Hill.
The ski hill has a solid-enough base to open both rope tows and provide a couple of features like jumps and rail slides, he said. But a lack of snow near the top means skiable terrain up there will be a bit narrow, he said.
“We need more snow,” Morrissey said. “It’s just been very warm and hard to get it going, and this week is looking even warmer, so thank goodness we started when we did or we wouldn’t have been able to open for the kids when they get out of school (for winter break).”
Chapman Hill has been making snow for six or seven years. This is the earliest the ski hill has opened in at least 20 years, he said.
The ski hill uses municipal water, which is warmer than water pulled from outdoor sources such as ponds, lakes and streams, he said. The temperature must be 22 degrees or colder to make snow, “and anything colder is way better,” Morrissey said.
“We need that for at least five or six hours to make it worth our time,” he said. “It doesn’t make any snow in an hour. You need six to seven hours to make it worth staying up all night.”
The ski hill will be open from noon to 4 p.m. this weekend. It will close during the week and reopen for the season next weekend, beginning Dec. 17, with holiday hours.
Holiday hours are noon to 6 p.m. daily; noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31; and closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Tickets for kids ages 4 and 5 are $5, children ages 6-17 ski for $10, and tickets for adults are $12. Season passes also are available: $80 for kids and $100 for adults.
Ski and snowboard lessons will begin Dec. 19.
Tubing and sledding are not allowed on the ski hill, but a tubing hill will open later this season, Morrissey said.
For more information, call Chapman Hill at 375-7395 or email matt.morrissey@durangogov.org.
shane@durangoherald.com
