Chicopee Ski Resort opens new lift connecting beginner and expert slopes

Kitchener's Chicopee Ski Hill has added a new lift and intermediate hill. We checked in with skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes.

A new lift to ride and terrain to shred were a warm welcome to skiers and snowboarders amid the cold conditions at Chicopee Ski Resort on Sunday.

Hundreds of people came out to the slopes in Kitchener, with many finding out about the resort’s new additions upon arrival.

“It was a happy surprise,” said Dan Jackson alongside his son Shay. “We did not hear about the lift [beforehand]…when we went up the chairlift, we noticed there’s another section. We’re like ‘hey, let’s go check that out,’ and we were pleasantly surprised.”

Jackson brought his son to try skiing for the second year in a row at Chicopee. Shay usually learns on the bunny hill but was able to take on the new hill, called Freedom, in his own way.

“What I love about the hill is it’s got a little bit of speed and has got a great width, so you can actually get practicing those turns because of the width and speed combination,” said Jackson.

The new covered surface lift and run on the back of the resort helps to accommodate up to 2,600 people per hour, according to Chicopee’s CEO Bill Creighton.

It’s phase four of a ten-year plan to upgrade the resort’s amenities.

“[This is the] fourth [lift] in 2 years,” said Creighton. “With the help of the Ontario government, we’re very grateful. They’ve helped us with this lift and other infrastructure in terms of lighting and snowmaking on our new run, Freedom.”

Kylie Ramirez came from Guelph and checked out Freedom on Sunday, as she helped her daughter Juniper learn how to snake down the hill.

“I think we’ll do at least three more runs,” said Ramirez at the top of the hill. “It’s really great to get some space to learn how to turn before the run just runs right out.”

Ramirez added that these new hills help to keep the resort fresh and interesting.

“With this type of lift, it gives a chance to try those intermediate hills or something in between the bunny hill and the lift. I think that’s really important,” she said.

New bus stop at Chicopee

As the resort expands and the parking lot fills up, a new transportation option will open on Monday for more people to access the slopes.

“The GRT invested in a new bus stop right here at Chicopee,” said Creighton. “It’s not only great for our employees who ride the bus to come to work but also for patrons who want to come out, kids who want to come to the hill and are able to come on their own, to be able to jump on the bus and get right to the base of Chicopee.”

With an end goal of expanding into a resort that is open all four seasons long, Creighton added the new bus stop will help with easy access to the amenities.

The slopes at Chicopee are open until the end of March Break.