Eaglecrest Ski Area

Eaglecrest’s Ptarmigan Lift Update

Juneau, AK- January 8 – The Ptarmigan Chairlift will be closed until Saturday, January 17. The Hooter Chair Lift and the Platter Surface Lift will operate on their normal schedule from 9:00-3:30pm. The upper mountain will be closed to hiking until further notice due to avalanche control work. Hikers will not be allowed beyond the top of Hooter.

Eaglecrest staff inspected the Ptarmigan Chairlift on Friday and found that the bearings on the upper bull-wheel of the lift have begun to experience excessive wear. “After consulting with industry experts we have determined that while there is a very small chance any type of catastrophic failure of the lift we feel we cannot take the risk and have decided to close the Ptarmigan Lift” said General Manager Kirk Duncan. “While this is an unfortunate situation, we are very fortunate we have an extra bull-wheel on the Black Bear Chairlift (Mid-Mountain Chairlift) that can be used to replace the existing bull-wheel on the Ptarmigan lift”.

Preparations for this replacement will start on Friday and beginning Monday the bull-wheel replacement will take place. This replacement is expected to take about five days to accomplish. Updates will be posted on www.skijuneau.com.

Eaglecrest will be selling lower mountain lift tickets and there will be no credit issued for season passholders. “Eaglecrest offers deeply discounted season passes and even with a weeks closure, season passes offer a great value” stated Kirk Duncan.

“While we realize this will be very frustrating for people, there is a small chance that something catastrophic could happen. If something did happen, it could force the permanent closure of Eaglecrest” said Kirk Duncan. “The risk is too great, I have the ultimate responsibility, it is my decision and people can contact me at 790-2000 x221 if they have any questions or concerns.”