
Eaglecrest
36 runs, 1,620ft vertical, 640 acres on Douglas Island. Municipally owned, 350in average snowfall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.

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Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 12, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Eaglecrest typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Sep 26, 2026.
Day passes start from US$42, with peak rates up to US$85.
Experience Eaglecrest Ski Area's big mountain terrain with 1,620 feet of vertical drop and 640+ acres for the 2026/27 season. Juneau's community-owned ski area offers untracked powder, breathtaking ocean views, and hardly any lift lines - just 15 minutes from downtown Juneau.
Buy passTeen lift tickets at Eaglecrest Ski Area for the 2026/27 season provide access to 36 runs and impressive backcountry terrain. Located on Douglas Island near Juneau, Eaglecrest offers big mountain skiing with a local feel and affordable family-friendly pricing.
Buy passYouth lift tickets at Eaglecrest Ski Area for the 2026/27 season offer young skiers access to diverse terrain from beginner slopes to challenging expert runs, with professional instruction and safe learning environments in beautiful Juneau, Alaska.
Buy passSenior lift tickets at Eaglecrest Ski Area for the 2026/27 season offer discounted access to big mountain terrain with ocean views. Seniors 65+ enjoy reduced pricing at Juneau's community-owned ski area, featuring 1,620 feet of vertical and diverse terrain for all skill levels.
Buy passUnlimited season pass at Eaglecrest Ski Area for the full 2026/27 season. Tier 1 pricing runs July 1 - September 30, 2026, before stepping up to Tier 2 from October 1. Best value for frequent skiers at Juneau's community-owned mountain, with no blackout dates.
Buy passTeen season pass at Eaglecrest Ski Area for the full 2026/27 season, providing unlimited access to all lifts and terrain. Tier 1 pricing runs through September 30, 2026. Great value for active teenagers developing their skills on Juneau's diverse mountain.
Buy passYouth season pass at Eaglecrest Ski Area for ages 7-12, valid for the full 2026/27 season. Tier 1 pricing runs through September 30, 2026. Unlimited skiing at Juneau's community mountain with family-friendly terrain and professional ski instruction.
Buy passSenior season pass at Eaglecrest Ski Area for skiers 65 and over, valid for the full 2026/27 season. Tier 1 pricing runs through September 30, 2026. Unlimited access to big mountain terrain with ocean views and minimal crowds.
Buy passMore Eaglecrest intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.