Skiing and Snowboarding

A pair of skiers are among the first to board the Ptarmigan lift on the first day of the 2023-24 season at Eaglecrest Ski Area shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest Ski Area opens at last with fresh snow, early-season conditions

Skiers describe conditions as excellent, but ski patrol warns people to watch for hazards.

A pair of skiers are among the first to board the Ptarmigan lift on the first day of the 2023-24 season at Eaglecrest Ski Area shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau last year. 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)

Eaglecrest gondola needs more parts than expected as prices for them soar

Ski area manager says installation possible without extra city funds via ‘alternative procurement.’

A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau last year. 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)
People line up at the Ptarmigan lift on Sunday morning in the hope Eaglecrest Ski Area would begin limited operations during the day, but high winds prevented the lift from opening. The ski area is scheduled to begin its daily holiday schedule on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest’s attempted ‘early’ opening Sunday blown by wind, but ski area expects to open Wednesday

Heavy snow prompts effort for limited weekend opening after delays, but high winds prevent lift use.

People line up at the Ptarmigan lift on Sunday morning in the hope Eaglecrest Ski Area would begin limited operations during the day, but high winds prevented the lift from opening. The ski area is scheduled to begin its daily holiday schedule on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Eaglecrest Ski Area employees clear snow from a lift chair on Sunday, when conditions for opening by this weekend seemed promising. But warmer and wet weather this week means the bottom of the mountain is still not ready for operation, although Eaglecrest Grill will be open this weekend for people wanting to access snow on the upper part of the mountain on their own. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area.)

Eaglecrest won’t be open again this weekend — but its grill will be

Restaurant will be open for people wanting to hike to snow on upper parts of ski area, manager says.

Eaglecrest Ski Area employees clear snow from a lift chair on Sunday, when conditions for opening by this weekend seemed promising. But warmer and wet weather this week means the bottom of the mountain is still not ready for operation, although Eaglecrest Grill will be open this weekend for people wanting to access snow on the upper part of the mountain on their own. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area.)
Scant patches of snow remain at the base of Eaglecrest Ski area on Wednesday despite snowmaking efforts that occurred during the weekend, due to warmer temperatures and rain this week. The opening date for the ski area, originally set for Dec. 2 and then delayed until Dec. 9, is now undetermined. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest opening delayed again, target date now TBD

Warm temperatures and rain thwart efforts to open ski area on Saturday.

Scant patches of snow remain at the base of Eaglecrest Ski area on Wednesday despite snowmaking efforts that occurred during the weekend, due to warmer temperatures and rain this week. The opening date for the ski area, originally set for Dec. 2 and then delayed until Dec. 9, is now undetermined. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Fresh snow covers the surface of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Friday morning. General Manager Dave Scanlan said Thursday the plan is to open the ski area next Saturday. (Webcam photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest manager says things look cool for upcoming season, despite delayed opening

Strong numbers for season pass sales, number of foreign student employees, business leaders told.

Fresh snow covers the surface of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Friday morning. General Manager Dave Scanlan said Thursday the plan is to open the ski area next Saturday. (Webcam photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
A light dusting of snow covers the ground at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Wednesday morning. The planned opening for the ski area has been delayed a week until Saturday, Dec. 9, according to General Manager Dave Scanlan. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest delays scheduled opening by one week until next Saturday, Dec. 9

Warm temperatures and rain dissolved much of ski area’s snowpack, but cold and snow in forecast.

A light dusting of snow covers the ground at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Wednesday morning. The planned opening for the ski area has been delayed a week until Saturday, Dec. 9, according to General Manager Dave Scanlan. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Mark Rainery poses for photo in downtown Juneau to help celebrate the recent showing of his collaborative DIY snowboarding film, “The Outliers,” which premiered at the Hangar Ballroom on Feb. 11. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Not-so-easy rider: snowboarding movie featuring Southeast backcountry gets local premiere

A Q&A with Mark Rainery.

Mark Rainery poses for photo in downtown Juneau to help celebrate the recent showing of his collaborative DIY snowboarding film, “The Outliers,” which premiered at the Hangar Ballroom on Feb. 11. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Winter sports enthusiasts set up for a run at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Maybe it’s raining at sea level, but Eaglecrest is chillin’

Get up there. Good weekday conditions precede a rough forecast for the weekend.

Winter sports enthusiasts set up for a run at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area)
“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest opening on hold till weather chills out

Historically bad weather has postponed the opening until the temperature drops.

“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
Eaglecrest Ski Area is preparing for a winter sports season in the time of the coronavirus with a planned opening date of Dec. 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest readies for winter sports season

Equipment rentals require prefitting with the supplier.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is preparing for a winter sports season in the time of the coronavirus with a planned opening date of Dec. 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
Chris Miller is followed by Izzy as he snowboards at Eaglecrest on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest ‘family’ helps recover stolen snowboards

A watchful patron helped police find snowboards stolen from Eaglecrest Ski Area.

Chris Miller is followed by Izzy as he snowboards at Eaglecrest on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)