Skiing in the Heart of Amarillo? Once Upon a Time, It Was Possible!
Walk up to someone here in Amarillo and tell them that once upon a time you could ski in downtown Amarillo, and they would probably laugh at you and tell you that you are crazy.
But, are you crazy?
That would be no! Once upon a time, you could ski in Amarillo. Skiing has long been a popular pastime, drawing people to the mountains year after year. However today, you have snowboarding to go along with it, and most people would rather look cool snowboarding than on a pair of skis. However, those professional skiers make it look so easy.
It's true, you could once ski in downtown Amarillo.
However, there was one big difference between skiing and heading to a ski resort. Back in the '70s and '80s, Amarillo College had a ski school, and it was built in the old Amarillo High School gym. It was open to anyone who wanted to learn how to ski.
The ski school had two different hills. One was small and the other was steeper with two slopes, moguls, and even a jump.
Was it covered in real snow?
No, they were not covered in snow, they were covered in tiny silicone-type plastic beads. That is what they used for the snow.
You would be pulling those beads/pellets out of places you didn't want to be pulling them out of afterward.
Even though it was a snow substitute, you would learn with the normal equipment of skis, ski boots, and poles.
The only thing was, there wasn't a chair lift, you had to climb the hill every single time by sidestepping it.
If you had the opportunity to take the Amarillo College Ski School as a PE credit or as a class with friends or family to prepare for hitting the slopes, it was a fun and engaging experience.
It's a shame that those slopes are no longer available. It would have been enjoyable to take a skiing or snowboarding class right here in Amarillo.
Oh The Ways Amarillo Has Changed Part One
Gallery Credit: Melissa Bartlett
EXPLORE: A Rare Look Inside the Old Santa Fe Depot in Downtown Amarillo
Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark/TSM
A Guide to Colorado's Best Ski Resorts
Gallery Credit: Wes Adams