“Winter’s Promise Rebuilt: The Coming Chalet at Chester Bowl”

As frost begins to edge the air in Duluth, one can almost hear the soft sigh of snow waiting to fall — and in that hush, hope stirs quietly. For decades, the modest chalet at Chester Bowl has stood as a trusted hearth for skiers and park-goers, a place where laughter echoed against cold walls and the warmth of community filled frozen lungs. But now, after years of years of use and weather’s slow wear, that old hearth is ready to give way — to make room for something renewed.

Officials recently announced that the existing chalet — known as the Thom Storm Chalet — will be torn down after the ski season ends, likely in mid-March, and replaced with a completely new, three-story structure. The plan is not simply to replicate what was there before, but to expand and improve: the new facility will double the interior space (growing from about 3,330 sq ft to roughly 5,220 sq ft) and include modern amenities — including an elevator to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

The driving force behind this transformation is both rising usage and a desire to update aging infrastructure. As the hill’s winter programs, day-camp activities, and community events outgrew the old chalet, leaders recognized that the building had become too small and too outdated to support the ambitions of Chester Bowl’s caretakers. Moreover, thanks to a large grant from the state’s trust fund and generous local support, the full project — estimated at about US $3.85 million — finally has the backing to move forward.

Construction is slated to begin in spring 2026, with hopes to have the new chalet ready for use by the start of the 2026 winter season. For residents and families who’ve grown up skiing or attending summer camps at Chester Bowl, this marks the end of an era — but also the beginning of a new one. A chalet built not just for warmth and shelter, but for greater inclusivity, capacity, and sustainability.

In the softness between seasons — when snow has yet to fall but the memory of last winter still lingers — the promise of the new chalet brings a quiet excitement. A place where future generations might learn to ski, gather after a snow-covered run, or meet under warm lights after a cold day outside. In rebuilding its chalet, Chester Bowl is not just replacing wood and mortar — it’s reaffirming its commitment to community, to access, and to many more winters ahead.

AI Image Disclaimer Graphics are created with AI tools and intended as conceptual depictions, not as real photographs.

Sources MPR News, Duluth News Tribune, WDIO, Chester Bowl official campaign materials