Will Woolford, 13, airs down Muskeg trail during the opening day of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Will Woolford, 13, airs down Muskeg trail during the opening day of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest opens its doors

Snow guns make bunny hill operational

Raincoats and ski masks were out in full force for the opening day of Eaglecrest Ski Area.

Around 100 skiers and snowboarders came out for a wet and blustery start to the ski season on Saturday, getting in their first turns on a small finger of the mountain just outside the Porcupine Lodge. The skiing and riding was limited to Muskeg Trail, a short and mild-sloped run serviced by the Porcupine Chairlift, as the surrounding hills and slopes remained dormant with only a shallow layer of snow.

Eaglecrest staff deployed newly-acquired snow guns on Muskeg a week earlier to make the trail operational. General Manager David Scanlan said weather conditions cooperated for a 65-hour window from last Friday to Monday that allowed the machinery to do its job. Air temperatures must be 28 degrees or cooler in order for the snow guns to operate, Scanlan said.

Scanlan, who was hired before the start of last season, said the hard work was well worth it.

“It’s like the family’s coming back home, because it is — it’s like a big family,” he said of opening day. “When we’re open and all the friendly faces are up, it’s a really good feeling. That’s why we work hard all season long, is to provide a great experience for all of our customers. So it’s great seeing them all come back up and seeing the smiles on the faces and seeing the little kiddos.”

Rowan McGraw, a freshman at Thunder Mountain High School, was making the most of the opening day.

“I’ve been waiting for the past year for it to open,” said McGraw, who picked up snowboarding last season.

Noelle Derse stood watch outside the lodge as her sons, Will and Eero Woolford, zipped down the slope with purpose and an eye for terrain to launch over. The skiing siblings and several of their friends took turns hopping off a small jump near the bottom of the hill.

“They were so eager to get up here and they couldn’t wait,” said Derse said. “They were here right when it opened.”

The brothers, 13 and 12, respectively, both hope to master several new tricks this season. Eero has his mind set on landing a 360, a stunt he started working on long before Saturday.

“My younger son practices his 360s without the skis on in the house,” she said.


• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com. Follow Empire Sports on Twitter at @akempiresports.


Skiers ride up the Porcupine Chairlift on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Skiers ride up the Porcupine Chairlift on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

More in Sports

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 female robin carries a wad of earthworms to her chicks. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: November gloom and cheers

I like to live where there are seasonal changes in weather and… Continue reading

Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Turkey Trot participants thankful for fowl conditions

“Worst weather we’ve had in 10 years” just means burning off more calories.

Kristen Rozell skate skis in Valdez in January 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Surfing in winter on cross-country skis

With mild temperatures and ample snow, much of Alaska is now primed… Continue reading

The author guides his skiff in the direction of muskegs free from digital connectivity, but there is no escaping thoughts of contemporary life. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Freedom of gratitude

I have fumbled for years attempting to put into words what the… Continue reading

(Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Soldotna hockey bounces back against Juneau

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale loses 3-1 on Saturday after 4-3 win Friday

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Casey Blackwell, 10, crosses the finish line after running 27 laps around the indoor track at Dimond Park Field House to complete the 5K Pajama Jog on Sunday.
Juneau Girls on the Run go the distance during 5K Pajama Jog

Participants finish looking like stars — 27 of them — after completing that many laps around track.

Lance Fenumiai, a Juneau resident seen here carrying the ball in a rugby match for St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, has signed a Major League Rugby contract with the Dallas Jackals. (Photo courtesy of Lux214 Media Group)
JDHS grad Lance Fenumiai signs pro rugby contract with Dallas Jackals

Former college All-American to spend holidays training intensely for season that starts in February.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Samantha Schwarting and Thunder Mountain High School seniors PJ Foy and Olivia Mills (shown with Glacier Swim Club teammates) sign National Letters of Intent (NLI) on Tuesday at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center to swim and study in college. (Klas Stolpe for the Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Schwarting, TMHS’ Foy, Mills sign

Longtime Glacier Swim Club teammates will compete collegiately.

Basketball players face off at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at for a basketball game in December 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Transgender sports ban now in effect, but Juneau and other school districts in no rush to comply

“I’ve never seen such unity against a policy,” local school member says after statewide conference.

George Houston, head coach of what at the time was Juneau-Douglas High School, watches his team play Colony High School in February of 2002 at JDHS. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
George Houston: A remembrance

Lifelong Juneau coach, mentor, educator and friend passes.

Juneau’s Zack Bursell, 30, wins the Run The Rock 50-mile ultra race at Smith Rock State Park, Saturday, in Terrebonne, Oregon. (Photo courtesy Jamie/John Bursell)
Bursell wins Oregon 50 miler

New ultra runner hits new personal best.