Ski racing is coming to Durango’s Chapman Hill.

The Chapman Hill Town Race Series, sponsored by the Purgatory Alpine Ski Team, will launch its inaugural four-week season Feb. 10.

Racing, open to the public, will be held on four consecutive Fridays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Chapman Hill.

The series, open to skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers, also is open to all ages.

There will be a combination of slalom, giant slalom and “combi” courses, and there will be divisions for adults and children.

Racing will be team-based. Each team will need four racers, at least one female. The team roster may include six people to accommodate team members who may not compete on a specific night.

The race runs will be scored using the NASTAR handicapping system based against a pacesetter time. This will account for differences in ages, gender and gear. The lowest four handicap scores will be used for the team’s nightly score.

“The team format encourages all abilities to participate,” said Leah LeSage, program director for the Purgatory Alpine Ski Team. “The great thing about the local series is that everyone gets a chance to come out and play. You don’t need special equipment.”

She said individuals who don’t have a team will be matched up with teams on the first night of competition.

LeSage said she has participated in several similar town racing leagues.

“We thought it would be a great idea to get people utilizing the ski hill in town,” she said.

Town racing leagues long have been popular at resorts in Vail, Aspen and Summit County.

Night racing leagues have proliferated in Steamboat Springs, where skiers and boarders compete under the lights at Howelson Hill in downtown Steamboat.

dstrode@durangoherald.com