Eaglecrest Ski Area plans to open access to most of the mountain Wednesday, after nearly two months of operating only the short Porcupine chairlift on its beginner hill, due to an unexpectedly high amount of recent snow, the resort announced Tuesday.
However, not all of the mountain will be open due to avalanche mitigation and other work occurring during the coming days, according to officials.
“In the past few days Eaglecrest has received more snowfall than anticipated and much more is in the forecast,” a message posted on the ski area’s Facebook page states. “That being said, early-season conditions exist on the mountain. Many of the creeks and gullies have flowing water and hazards are present and should be avoided. The mountain has a thin snowpack and numerous unmarked hazards.”
The Ptarmigan lift offering access to the top of the west side of the ski area is scheduled to open Wednesday, according to the post. The opening of the lift will also be when the ski area extends its operating hours to 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as daily sunlight increases.
The other lift to the top of the mountain — Black Bear, which provides easy access to the east side terrain — is closed for the season due to mechanical problems.
Eaglecrest’s website also notes the upper part of the mountain past the Ptarmigan lift will be closed to uphill travel from 6 a.m. on Wednesday due to avalanche mitigation work. Also, snowmaking will be occurring in the vicinity of the Hooter lift, which offers limited access to lower terrain on the east side of the mountain, prior to its scheduled opening on Saturday.
“Eaglecrest’s uphill policy will be strictly enforced and all other areas within the boundary will be closed to all traffic,” the Facebook post notes, adding “steer clear of snowmaking equipment. Eaglecrest Rental equipment will not be allowed on the upper mountain.”
The Porcupine lift opened Dec. 7, but rain and warm temperatures prevented the rest of the mountain from opening. Such delays have been common in recent years and officials say the warming climate is likely to increase winter season operational challenges.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
