Town: Fremont Pass, near the molybdenum mining town of Climax.
Chalk Mountain Ski Area: 1934 – 1962
Chalk Mountain Ski Area, Summit County’s first ski mountain, was founded by Jack Gorsuch (1931/32–2017).
While working at the Climax Molybdenum Mine, Gorsuch formed a ski club and oversaw construction of a 1,200-foot rope tow in 1941.
Sponsored by the Climax mining town, the area featured night skiing, piped-in classical music, and a pastel-painted warming hut.
It closed in 1962 after the Climax Molybdenum Company shut down the town that supported its operations.
Photo: Jack with son David c.1940. Credit: Gorsuch Collection
