The Chapman Hill Freeride Series will consist of five different freeride events taking place in the heart of Durango starting Wednesday, January 16. The series brings the freeride community, both skiers and snowboarders, together under the lights at Chapman Hill in celebrating a shared passion for snow riding. Local area athletes have an opportunity to participate in weekly fun events while testing the waters in freeride competition. The series will take place every Wednesday night through February 13.
“Chapman Hill is the perfect arena, and a great place for kids to come and play”, said Tim Kuss, Chapman Hill Ski Area manager. “The unique venue of Chapman Hill offers a great opportunity for any local kid to participate.”
The Chapman Hill Freeride Series will be organized by the Purgatory Freestyle and Snowboard Teams in conjunction with the City of Durango Parks and Recreation department. The teams are supported by the Durango Winter Sports Foundation (DWSF) which has worked with the city to promote the Chapman Hill winter sports facilities and opportunities in the Durango area. The City of Durango has made a significant investment in Chapman Hill by installing snowmaking and providing a winch cat for grooming and terrain park development. Skier visits have increased substantially with the improvements to the hill.
Zia Taqueria, Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours, Shaw Solar, 2nd Avenue Sports, JBO’s and Alpine Bank each sponsored additional boxes and rails for the upcoming year. There have been improvements to the existing terrain and the rope tow line for a much more “user friendly” ride. “By engaging and working with volunteers and local area sponsors, the Chapman Hill Freeride Series will expand the opportunity for local kids to do great things,” said Jamie Wienk DWSF Marketing and Development Director
Registration for the first event rail jam will be at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Chapman House at the base of the hill. Entry fee is $15 which includes a lift ticket or $10 for Chapman Hill season pass holders. Riders age 12 and under will compete from 4:30 – 6 p.m. with riders age 13 and over competing after 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to different age classes. For more information log on to purgatoryskiteam.org
CONTACT
Kirk Rawles Purgatory Freestyle Team
970-903-2119, moguldogs@bresnan.net
Brian Bolan Purgatory Snowboard Team
303-775-1555, snowboard@purgatoryskiteam.org
