Duluth’s iconic Chester Bowl on cusp of expanding its historic ski chalet
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A community-run downhill ski area in the center of the city of Duluth that trained generations of Olympic ski jumpers in the past may soon begin construction on a renovation and expansion of its chalet.
A state commission has recommended that the city of Duluth and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club be awarded a $2.3 million grant to help build a new facility at the bottom of the 175-foot ski hill at Chester Bowl, where scores of kids learn to ski every winter.
“This chalet is home to generations of fond memories, but it’s no longer adequately serving the community,” said Dave Schaeffer, Chester Bowl executive director, at a celebration with city officials to announce the recommendation.
“It is deteriorating quickly. It is not accessible to people with physical disabilities and it’s extremely energy inefficient.”
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It’s also too small to serve the hundreds of summer campers and skiers who use the old chalet throughout the year.
The grant would cover about 60 percent of the cost of a new chalet. Plans call for a complete renovation of the existing chalet, the addition of a third floor to nearly double the square footage, and an elevator to make the building completely accessible.
The club has already raised $950,000 through a fundraising campaign. But that still leaves a gap of about $600,000, that Schaeffer plans to close by pursuing support from business supporters, individual donors and grants.
“We need the support of the community and people that believe in Chester Bowl’s mission to get us across the finish line,” he said.
The Thom Storm chalet, named after the former longtime Chester Bowl director, sits in the bottom of a large, pine tree-studded bowl along Chester Creek, which plummets down Duluth’s steep hillside.
The park opened in 1888. The first of several ski jumps was built in 1906. Old black and white photos show crowds of thousands gathering to watch jumping competitions in the park.
The jumps served as training ramps for a generation of world-class athletes. From 1960 to 1980, ski jumpers from Duluth competed in six consecutive Olympics.
Downhill skiing was added in 1968. The city ran the park for decades. But during a budget crisis in 2008, the city laid off as many as 60 park workers and put Chester Bowl in jeopardy.
That’s when volunteers formed the Improvement Club to oversee skiing and other programs at the park.
“It’s such a powerful model,” said Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert. “And as we move forward, it’s a model we see repeated throughout our community, whether it’s here at Chester, Lake Superior Zoo, other locations.”
Now the hill serves about 2,000 skiers and snowboarders every year. Many are from families who volunteer making snow, selling concessions and overseeing youth races to help make skiing affordable.
The $2.3 million grant has been recommended for approval by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. The LCCMR advises the state Legislature on projects to fund with proceeds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is funded by the state lottery.
If state lawmakers approve the grant during next year’s legislative session, and the additional funds are raised, Schaeffer said construction could begin by the spring of 2026, with an eye toward opening the new chalet for skiing by that December.
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