Eleanor Hughes, 6, of Durango skis at Chapman Hill Ski Area on Wednesday while her dad, Chris, and sister, Raleigh, 4, look on. The ski area opened for the season on Monday and will be open daily, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 2. (Cody Olivas/Durango Herald)

Ryder Bushey, 8, of Castle Rock goes skiing for the first time on Wednesday at Chapman Hill Ski Area with the help of his grandmother, Erika Hupperts. The ski area opened for the season on Monday and will be open daily, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 2. (Cody Olivas/Durango Herald)

Chris Hughes of Durango acts as a human rope tow for his daughters Eleanor, 6, and Raleigh, 4, on Wednesday at the Chapman Hill Ski Area. The ski area opened for the season on Monday and will be open daily, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 2. (Cody Olivas/Durango Herald)