Skiing and Snowboarding

Guests ride the Porcupine chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Ptarmigan lift to top of ski area on Wednesday

Hooter lift providing access to lower part of eastside terrain scheduled to open on Saturday.

 

Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members say they’re willing to loan Eaglecrest money until gondola is ready

Report criticizing ski area’s finances and maintenance also contains enough promise for city leaders.

 

A dusting of snow covers the Ptarmigan chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in December. The lift to the top of the mountain remains closed as of Friday due to a lack of snow. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest board finalizes its case for future stability ahead of meeting with Assembly

Gondola and year-round operations cited in letter as fix for problems in former GM’s report.

 

Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest’s new GM: “Something drastic needs to happen or that team is going to crumble from the inside”

Employees’ struggles acknowledged as leaders responding to critical report say future holds promise.

Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest’s future may depend on how many cruise passengers will pay $171 to ride the gondola

Operators’ ridership and pricing expectations questionable, says former GM hired by CBJ for study.

Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Foreign students working at Eaglecrest trade Christmas Eve traditions for neon lights and lasagna

26 employees from Central and South America are far from family, yet among many at Torchlight Parade.

Maria Laura Guollo Martins, 22, an Eaglecrest Ski Area employee from Urussanga, Brazil, working via a J-1 student visa, helps Juneau kids make holiday decorations during the resort’s annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade gathering on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A line at the Ptarmigan lift gains new arrivals shortly after Eaglecrest Ski Area begins operating for the 2023-24 ski season on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The Ptarmigan lift will be the only one operating to the top of the mountain this season due to mechanical problems with the Black Bear lift. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Eaglecrest board responsible for many of ski area’s operational, staffing woes, former GM says

Members “lack the industry knowledge needed to provide supervisory overview of the area,” report states.

A line at the Ptarmigan lift gains new arrivals shortly after Eaglecrest Ski Area begins operating for the 2023-24 ski season on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The Ptarmigan lift will be the only one operating to the top of the mountain this season due to mechanical problems with the Black Bear lift. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Porcupine lift on Saturday with tickets as low as $11, but rain thwarts full opening

Ski area offering 50% off ticket price for beginner hill lift for people donating to food drive.

The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Anticipation and anxieties accumulating with Eaglecrest’s scheduled opening less than a month away

Big turnout at annual ski sale despite loss of a main lift at resort; more critical crowd at public forum.

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area’s dilemma: Aging equipment needing repair while planning an ambitious new future

Leaders at board retreat also confront loss of lift for season, staff shortages, gondola uncertainties.

Eaglecrest Lodge at the base of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Eaglecrest facing rocky ski season due to loss of Black Bear lift, problems with snowmaking system

One of two mountaintop lifts may close all season; report says snowmaking needs “immediate safety upgrades.”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Rainforest Recovery Center is seen during its final week of operation Wednesday as Bartlett Regional Hospital officials have said the residential substance abuse treatment program will close next Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Rainforest Recovery Center is seen during its final week of operation Wednesday as Bartlett Regional Hospital officials have said the residential substance abuse treatment program will close next Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Craig Cimmons, scheduled to become the new general manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sept. 30, is interviewed by the Juneau Assembly on Aug 2. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

New Eaglecrest Ski Area general manager has lots of experience with bumpy terrain

Craig Cimmons, a manager at resort hit by massive owner fraud, says recovery made employees stronger

Craig Cimmons, scheduled to become the new general manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sept. 30, is interviewed by the Juneau Assembly on Aug 2. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Two Eaglecrest Ski Area general manager finalists to be interviewed next week

One is a Vermont ski school manager, the other a former Eaglecrest official now in Washington

A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
An employee performs maintenance work on a chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in late June. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest gondola can be done on time and on budget, if features are scaled back, city manager says

“Goldbelt is confident they can sell that destination with a windbreak and some porta-potties.”

An employee performs maintenance work on a chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area in late June. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Juneau residents, including many current and former employees and leaders at Eaglecrest Ski Area, pack a room at the downtown public library for a meeting of the resort’s board of directors Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest employees, skiers demand answers from board after ouster of general manager

Board offers few details about reasons during contentious meeting as search begins for new leader.

Juneau residents, including many current and former employees and leaders at Eaglecrest Ski Area, pack a room at the downtown public library for a meeting of the resort’s board of directors Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau in 2022. Eaglecrest Ski Area officials say they are hoping the gondola will be operational by the 2025-26 winter ski season. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Petition expresses concerns about future of Eaglecrest’s operations following general manager’s ouster

Group questions if ski resort will be ready for coming ski season, projects such as gondola delayed.

A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau in 2022. Eaglecrest Ski Area officials say they are hoping the gondola will be operational by the 2025-26 winter ski season. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Dave Scanlan, general manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area, speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on April 13, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dave Scanlan forced out as Eaglecrest’s general manager, says decision ‘came as a complete shock to me’

Resort’s leader for past 7 years says board seeking a “more office-process, paper-oriented” manager.

Dave Scanlan, general manager of Eaglecrest Ski Area, speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on April 13, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
One of about 80 participants in the annual Slush Cup tries to cross a 100-foot-long pond during the final day of the season at Eaglecrest Ski Area on April 7. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Season full of ups and downs ends about average for Eaglecrest Ski Area

Fewer season passes sold, but more out-of-state visitors and foreign workers help weather storms.

One of about 80 participants in the annual Slush Cup tries to cross a 100-foot-long pond during the final day of the season at Eaglecrest Ski Area on April 7. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Elias Lowell, 15, balances his way to the end of the pond during the annual Slush Cup at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sunday, the last day of what officials called and up-and-down season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Up-and-down season at Eaglecrest ends on splashy note with Slush Cup

Ski area’s annual beach party features ice-filled water, snowy shores and showboating skimmers.

Elias Lowell, 15, balances his way to the end of the pond during the annual Slush Cup at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Sunday, the last day of what officials called and up-and-down season. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)