Eaglecrest
36 runs, 1,620ft vertical, 640 acres on Douglas Island. Municipally owned, 350in average snowfall.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
12 Dec 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
120
Annual snow
350in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Eaglecrest's summit reaches 2,749 feet, dropping 1,620 vertical feet to a base at 1,129 feet across 36 runs spread over 640 acres on Douglas Island, across the channel from Juneau, Alaska. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 40 per cent advanced and 20 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 350 inches. Eaglecrest operates on the Powder Alliance pass network and is owned and run by the City and Borough of Juneau, making it one of the few municipally owned ski areas in the United States.
Only two double chairlifts serve the entire mountain, a modest lift count relative to the 640-acre footprint and 1,620-foot vertical drop. The 40 per cent advanced terrain share, with no groomed expert runs but access to substantial backcountry, gives Eaglecrest a rawer character than most municipally run ski areas. Two Nordic skiing loops supplement the alpine terrain. The resort's community ownership model is unusual even among smaller American ski areas, most of which are privately or corporately run.
Juneau locals founded Eaglecrest in 1975 after identifying Douglas Island as a site with both north and east-facing slopes and a reliable access road free of avalanche risk. The ski area has been owned and operated by the City and Borough of Juneau since its founding, a genuinely public model distinct from Vail, Alterra or independent private ownership seen elsewhere. As of mid-2026, the ski area has reportedly been running at a financial loss, prompting public discussion about the city's continued funding of the operation. Notably, Juneau itself has no road connection to the rest of Alaska or the Lower 48, reachable only by air or sea, though Douglas Island and Eaglecrest are accessible by a short local drive from downtown.
Powder Alliance membership gives pass holders reciprocal access to other member resorts, mostly smaller community and independent areas. Adult full-day tickets run 75 US dollars, with a full adult season pass at 870 dollars and free season access for Alaska residents aged 75 and over. The resort suits Juneau locals and visitors already in the isolated Alaska capital rather than travellers making a dedicated trip, given Juneau's lack of road access from outside. Its exceptional snowfall and steep terrain, combined with municipal ownership, make Eaglecrest a distinctive presence in American skiing.
1,621ft
Vertical
36
Runs
640 acres
Skiable
350in
Annual snow
Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
36 runs across 640 acres skiable
Eaglecrest is a city-owned ski area on Douglas Island, across the channel from Juneau, with 36 runs over about 640 acres (259 hectares). The base is at 1,130 feet (344 m) and the summit at 2,750 feet (838 m), a vertical of roughly 1,620 feet (494 m), and around 350 inches of snow falls in a typical season. The trails are 40% intermediate, 40% advanced and 20% beginner, with no expert-rated runs. Two double chairs serve the whole mountain, so the lift network is simple, and runs feel more spacious than the size suggests.
The Ptarmigan chair reaches the top of the ski area, and a short hike or skin from there opens up steep, big backcountry terrain with Alaska-sized peaks. The Hooter chair serves the lower mountain, where Sneaky is the standout trail, and Black Bear chair access takes in the East Bowl Chutes. A Nordic network adds a separate cross-country option. Eaglecrest suits Juneau locals and visitors already in the capital, including intermediates wanting steady skiing and advanced skiers keen to combine lift laps with adventurous touring in a coastal rainforest setting.
Terrain split
36
runs
36 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 20%
Intermediate14 runs · 40%
Advanced14 runs · 40%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Eaglecrest
The 2025-26 season at Eaglecrest ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week window. Juneau's coastal, far-northern position supports a long season relative to its snowfall reliability. Season dates can shift based on Southeast Alaska's variable coastal weather. This length is typical for a resort at Eaglecrest's elevation and latitude.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 350 inches is substantial, a product of Southeast Alaska's wet, storm-driven coastal climate. A record snowfall of 640 inches was recorded in 2011, illustrating the range of variability in the region's weather. Base depth and season totals vary considerably year to year given the maritime climate's inherent unpredictability. Snowmaking plays a limited role given the area's naturally high, if variable, snowfall.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions, though Southeast Alaska's coastal storms can bring rain as well as snow even in winter. Juneau's far-northern latitude means short daylight hours in December and January, lengthening substantially into spring. Late-season visits in March and April often benefit from improving daylight alongside a still-substantial snowpack. Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends, given the resort's small, largely local visitor base.
Eaglecrest's calendar centres on serving Juneau's local community rather than destination event programming, consistent with its municipal ownership. As of 2026, financial pressure on the city-run operation has become a matter of public discussion, potentially affecting future investment and programming. Backcountry access from the ski area's boundary draws experienced skiers beyond the groomed 36-run network. Specific festival or competition programming is not confirmed in available resort information.
Season 2026 - 2027
12 Dec 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
350 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Eaglecrest
Daily snow reports at Eaglecrest go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
14 in
Snowiest day
4 Mar 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
58 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Eaglecrest, and where to stay
Eaglecrest sits on Douglas Island, across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau, Alaska, with a base elevation of 1,129 feet and a summit at 2,749 feet across a 1,620-foot vertical drop over 640 acres. Douglas Island itself has road access, distinct from Juneau's broader isolation. The ski area lies within the Tongass National Forest region of Southeast Alaska. This is a temperate rainforest and coastal mountain environment rather than a dry interior climate.
Juneau, Alaska's capital, lies across the channel and is the nearest city of any size, reached via a roughly 15 to 20-minute drive from downtown across the Douglas Island bridge. Notably, Juneau has no road connection to the rest of Alaska or the contiguous United States, reachable only by air or sea, a defining feature of the region. This isolation shapes Eaglecrest's visitor base, drawing primarily from Juneau's resident population rather than road-tripping visitors. Douglas, a smaller community on the island itself, sits closer still to the ski area.
Local Douglas Island roads provide access from downtown Juneau across the bridge connecting the island to the mainland side of the channel. The drive from downtown Juneau takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes under normal conditions. Winter driving on Dou-las Island can include coastal Alaska's wet snow and occasional icy conditions. No long-distance road connects Juneau to the rest of Alaska, meaning all visitors arrive by air or sea regardless of their final approach to the ski area.
Juneau International Airport is the only airport serving the area, located on the mainland side of the channel from Douglas Island and Eaglecrest. Given Juneau's lack of road access to the rest of Alaska, the airport, along with the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, is the only way to reach the region. Most visitors are already in Juneau for other reasons rather than travelling specifically for Eaglecrest. Flights connect Juneau primarily to Anchorage, Seattle and other Southeast Alaska communities.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Eaglecrest, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Eaglecrest's ski season?
Eaglecrest's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 12 through April 11. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Alaska, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Eaglecrest have?
Eaglecrest lists about 640 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 36 named runs (259 hectares alongside 640 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Eaglecrest?
Trail grading at Eaglecrest breaks down roughly as 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% advanced. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Eaglecrest have?
Eaglecrest operates 2 lifts. The fleet includes 2 double chairs.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Eaglecrest?
Base elevation at Eaglecrest is about 1,129 ft (344 m), with the summit around 2,749 ft (838 m), giving roughly 1,621 ft (494 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Eaglecrest get each season?
Eaglecrest averages about 350 inches (889 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Eaglecrest accept the Powder Alliance?
Eaglecrest is affiliated with the Powder Alliance. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Powder Alliance, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Eaglecrest lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$42 to US$85, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Eaglecrest before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Eaglecrest so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Eaglecrest have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Eaglecrest. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Eaglecrest located?
Eaglecrest sits in Alaska, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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