Eaglecrest Experience FAQs - Eaglecrest Ski Area

EAGLECREST SKI AREA

EAGLECREST EXPERIENCE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Gondola Project? What is the Eaglecrest Experience Vision?

The Gondola Project is part of the broader Eaglecrest Experience, a long-term vision focused on preserving Eaglecrest as a sustainable, community-centered mountain recreation area. Since it was first proposed several years ago, the gondola has been envisioned as the central attraction that expands access to the mountain beyond the winter ski season.

The Eaglecrest Experience is designed to make better use of the mountain year-round by expanding summertime opportunities for both locals and visitors. By tapping into Juneau’s summer visitor industry, Eaglecrest can generate much-needed revenue to help support winter recreation, maintain infrastructure, and reduce reliance on a single season. Scenic rides, hiking access, viewing areas, and adventure-based activities would allow more people to enjoy Eaglecrest’s unique location and views, regardless of skiing ability.

Looking ahead, the Eaglecrest Experience also includes the potential for a mid-mountain lodge that invites people to spend more time on the mountain. Thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, food and beverage offerings, and retail elements would celebrate local culture, provide welcoming places to rest and connect that further enhance the mountain experience, while creating new opportunities for education, recreation, and economic sustainability.

Like many ski areas across the country, Eaglecrest must find ways to support winter operations while managing aging infrastructure and rising costs. Expanding year-round use through the gondola and related experiences is intended to stabilize long-term finances, reinvest in facilities, and preserve Eaglecrest as a valued community asset.

The gondola has generated strong public interest, reflecting both enthusiasm and thoughtful questions from the community. These conversations underscore how important Eaglecrest is to Juneau and continue to help shape the Eaglecrest Experience as it evolves.

Why are the gondola cabins being shipped to Colorado for refurbishment?

The gondola cabins acquired for the Eaglecrest Gondola Project require a comprehensive, top-to-bottom refurbishment before they can be placed into public service. While the cabins were determined to be structurally sound, an initial inspection report strongly recommended that they be refurbished to a “like-new” condition prior to long-term use. At the time the system was purchased, the cabins were shipped directly to Juneau rather than being refurbished overseas. As project planning advanced, it became clear that completing a full refurbishment was critical to the project’s success, particularly because the cabins will be the most visible and frequently used component of the gondola system and a central part of the Eaglecrest Experience for both residents and visitors.

Refurbishing gondola cabins is highly specialized work that requires access to manufacturer specifications, specialized tooling, and industrial facilities that are not available locally. There are only two primary facilities in the United States that routinely refurbish tram and gondola cabins to industry standards, and only one of those facilities was able to meet Eaglecrest’s project timeline. No local or regional contractor in Alaska has the experience, certifications, or infrastructure required to safely and correctly perform this level of work. Shipping the cabins to a specialized facility in Colorado ensures the refurbishment is completed properly, reduces technical risk, and supports long-term reliability.

The refurbishment process is a complete rebuild rather than cosmetic work. It includes replacing all glass, removing and replacing all wiring and electrical systems, installing new speakers and interior components, replacing flooring, reupholstering benches, and fully servicing all mechanical parts and operating mechanisms. The refurbishment facilities have access to original factory specifications and are able to replace components from inventory or fabricate parts on site to exact standards when necessary.

When the cabins return to Juneau, currently expected in early 2027, they will be in like-new condition. This means they will meet modern safety and performance expectations, be visually refreshed with new colors and logo, and be well-suited for Juneau’s operating environment. Beginning operations with fully refurbished cabins helps reduce deferred maintenance, lowers long-term operating risk, and ensures a high-quality, comfortable experience for future guests.

Timing is also a critical factor. There is a very narrow window to secure a place in line at one of the few facilities capable of performing this work. Missing that window could delay the gondola project by years. Shipping the cabins now, January 2026, keeps the project on schedule and supports Eaglecrest’s broader goal of delivering a safe, reliable, and high-quality gondola system within the established project timeline.

Why invest in the Gondola instead of only investing in Eaglecrest Ski Area? Will the gondola fix Eaglecrest’s financial challenges?

Investing in the gondola is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Eaglecrest as a whole. The goal is not to choose one over the other, but to create new revenue opportunities that allow Eaglecrest Ski Area to reinvest and remain sustainable long-term.

Historically, the ski area has operated with limited resources and has not been able to fully fund both day-to-day operations and major capital improvements at the same time. This has made it difficult to build replacement reserves, upgrade equipment, and keep pace with long-term maintenance needs.

Summertime operations that target Juneau’s high-volume visitor industry offer a meaningful financial opportunity. Revenue generated outside the winter season can help fund new equipment, improve maintenance, and support a responsible program for capital replacement reserves, all of which directly benefit the ski area and winter recreation.

The gondola and the broader Eaglecrest Experience are designed to create year-round use of the mountain. In addition to generating revenue, this approach supports more consistent, year-round employment at Eaglecrest, which benefits staff, operations, and the overall guest experience.

While no single project can instantly solve every financial challenge, the gondola is intended to be a tool that helps increase and diversify revenue, reduce reliance on a short winter season, and build a more stable future for Eaglecrest. The long-term vision is to reinvest those gains back into the ski area so it can continue serving the community for generations to come.

What is the goal of the gondola project? Is it for tourists or locals? Is it for summer or year-round use?

The goal of the Eaglecrest gondola is to serve as the focal point of the broader Eaglecrest Experience creating a sustainable, year-round recreation destination that benefits both the local community and visitors to Juneau. The project is designed with a “both/and” approach: it is meant to serve locals and visitors, and to support Eaglecrest’s long-term financial health while preserving its identity as Juneau’s community ski area.

A key part of the vision is to responsibly take advantage of one of Juneau’s largest economic drivers, tourism. By attracting a portion of cruise visitors and independent travelers to Eaglecrest during the summer season, the gondola is expected to generate additional revenue that can be reinvested into maintaining and improving the ski area. This includes supporting lift maintenance, facility upgrades, and the overall quality of the winter ski experience that locals rely on. In this way, summer visitation helps strengthen Eaglecrest’s sustainability as a public recreation asset.

At the same time, Eaglecrest remains committed to serving the local community. The gondola is intended to expand recreational access for residents as well, providing easier access to alpine scenery, hiking, sightseeing, and mountain experiences that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages and abilities.

Operationally, the gondola is currently planned as a summer-only operation, as the cost of winter operations would far outweigh its revenue potential. Winter operations would be pursued only when financially feasible and as part of a broader strategy to preserve the up-hill capacity now provided by Eaglecrest’s aging chairlifts.

In short, the goal is balance: using tourism to help fund and strengthen Eaglecrest, while continuing to serve locals and protect the ski area’s role as a community resource. The gondola is one piece of a long-term strategy to keep Eaglecrest vibrant, maintained, and accessible for future generations.

Why is the ski industry moving toward summer recreation and tourism, and how does that help Eaglecrest?

Ski areas around the world are increasingly expanding into summer recreation because winters are becoming less predictable, operating costs are rising, and relying on a short ski season alone is no longer financially reliable. Warmer temperatures and variable snowfall linked to climate change have shortened or disrupted ski seasons in many regions, pushing ski areas to find ways to use their mountains year-round. Summer activities such as sightseeing, hiking, biking, guided tours, and scenic lift rides help diversify revenue, keep staff employed longer, and make better use of infrastructure that would otherwise sit idle for much of the year.

At Eaglecrest Ski Area, this industry shift is especially relevant. Eaglecrest has historically depended on winter revenue and city subsidies, operating at about a 70% cost-recovery rate. The winter operations alone have not generated enough funding to fully cover both day-to-day operations and major capital investments. As a result, it has been difficult to build adequate reserves for equipment replacement, lift upgrades, and long-term maintenance. Community support alone has not been able to keep pace with these growing needs. Local leaders and the Juneau Assembly have discussed the importance of developing new revenue sources to strengthen the ski area’s financial future.

The Eaglecrest Experience, anchored by the gondola, is designed to tap into Juneau’s high-volume summer visitor industry to help fill that gap. By offering scenic lift access to the mountain, viewing areas, guided experiences, and future amenities, Eaglecrest can generate meaningful summer revenue that can be reinvested into winter operations, better maintenance, new equipment, and a responsible replacement-reserve program. Expanded summer use also supports year-round employment, improving staff stability and overall guest experience.

No solution is without challenge, and community input continues to shape how Eaglecrest evolves responsibly. By embracing the broader ski industry trend of year-round operations in response to climate change, the Eaglecrest Experience aims to secure a resilient future for the ski area, one where winter skiing thrives alongside summer adventure and year-round access, benefiting locals and visitors alike.

Why has the Gondola Project taken so long, and when will it be complete?

The Eaglecrest Experience and Gondola are complex infrastructure projects, and its timeline reflects the scale of planning, engineering, permitting, and construction required to bring it to life. While the vision for expanded summer operations has been discussed for several years, turning that vision into a working mountain transportation system involves far more than installing lift towers and cabins.

After securing the gondola system, the project moved into detailed design and adaptation to meet Eaglecrest’s terrain, safety standards, and long-term operational goals. Because the system was originally built for another location, it requires refurbishment, reconfiguration, and new components to fit Juneau’s environment and meet current regulatory requirements. In addition, transporting equipment to Southeast Alaska, coordinating contractors, and sequencing construction in a short building season all add time to the process.

It is also important to understand that the gondola is just one aspect of the broader Eaglecrest Experience. Expanding to year-round operations means additional infrastructure must be thoughtfully planned and developed alongside the lift itself. This includes restrooms, gathering areas, small retail spaces, food and beverage services, trails, mid-station rest areas, and other supporting infrastructure needed to safely and comfortably accommodate increased visitation throughout the year. Each of these elements requires its own design, permitting, funding, and construction timeline.

Like many large projects in recent years, the gondola has also faced external factors such as supply chain delays, cost increases, and procurement timelines. At the same time, the project must move through municipal processes, inspections, and safety reviews to ensure it is built responsibly and sustainably.

Construction began last fall with completion of the mid-mountain station access road. As currently planned, in the summer of 2026 the access road to the top terminal will be constructed, foundations for the base and mid-stations installed, tower footings installed, and the 24 towers lifted into place. All remaining work will be completed in 2027, with the gondola in service in summer of 2028.

Large-scale projects take time, especially in a remote and weather-dependent environment like Juneau. The goal is not simply to complete the gondola quickly, but to complete it safely, responsibly, and in a way that supports the long-term vision of the Eaglecrest Experience and the future of Eaglecrest Ski Area.

What is the current state of Eaglecrest and why are changes being considered?

Eaglecrest Ski Area has been an important part of the Juneau community for nearly 50 years, providing affordable winter recreation and outdoor access for residents and visitors. As a city-owned ski area, Eaglecrest has historically been supported by the City and Borough of Juneau to help maintain operations and keep skiing accessible to the community. However, a combination of aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, and limited revenue has created increasing financial pressure on the ski area and highlighted the need for long-term solutions.

Much of Eaglecrest’s core infrastructure, including chairlifts, mechanical systems, and facilities was built decades ago and now requires significant investment to maintain safe and reliable operations. Several of the lifts are nearing or exceeding their expected service life, and some models are no longer in production. This means replacement parts must sometimes be custom manufactured, which increases both the cost of repairs and the time required to complete them. As equipment continues to age, maintenance needs grow and unexpected repairs become more common.

At the same time, Eaglecrest has historically operated with limited revenue margins, which has made it difficult to set aside funds for long-term capital replacement. Without the ability to consistently build reserves in a depreciation or capital replacement account, replacing major infrastructures such as chairlifts or mechanical systems becomes increasingly difficult as those assets reach the end of their lifespan.

Eaglecrest has also experienced repeated operating deficits in recent years. While the City and Borough of Juneau have historically helped support the ski area through municipal funding, decreasing tax revenues and steadily increasing costs for labor, insurance, utilities, and maintenance make long-term reliance on city subsidies increasingly difficult.

Because of these realities, Eaglecrest leadership, its Board of Directors, and the City and Borough of Juneau are working to develop a more sustainable financial model for the future. The goal is to address urgent infrastructure needs, reduce reliance on municipal subsidies, and create new revenue opportunities that can be reinvested into maintaining and improving the ski area.

One strategy being pursued is expanding Eaglecrest’s ability to generate revenue outside of the winter season. By attracting summer visitors and creating new recreational opportunities on the mountain, Eaglecrest can develop additional income that helps fund maintenance, build long-term reserves, and support the replacement of aging infrastructure over time.

As part of this broader conversation, the City and Borough of Juneau have also begun exploring additional funding options beyond traditional municipal support. This includes discussions about potential outside investment or expanded public–private partnerships that could help support major infrastructure projects and long-term improvements. City leaders have indicated they may explore opportunities in the future as part of building a more stable and sustainable financial model for the ski area.

Ultimately, the goal is to protect and strengthen Eaglecrest for the long term, ensuring that it remains a safe, well-maintained, and accessible community ski area for future generations.

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