Expanded cell phone coverage may soon be available to users of Eaglecrest Ski Area. General Communications Inc. (GCI) has expressed interest in installing a cellular antenna on the roof of the Eaglecrest base lodge.
During the regular Eaglecrest board meeting Thursday evening, Eaglecrest General Manager Matt Lillard said the coverage could extend to the area’s parking lot, at least. He brought the subject of GCI’s interest to the board for input.
Currently cellular access on the mountain is spotty at best. Providing expanded coverage would benefit Eaglecrest from a safety and customer service standpoint, Lillard said.
Lillard said GCI’s customers urged the company to provide coverage at the ski area. A contract to install and operate an antenna could happen soon.
"They seem very determined," Lillard said.
The Eagle Crest board would review any draft contracts. Lillard said GCI is so far the only cellular provider to express interest in coverage at the ski area.
However, “what ever we would do with GCI would not deter us from working with other providers,” Lillard said.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (9)
Add commentPretty soon...
...we'll have 'texting while skiing' accident reports.
I was just thinking that Lat.
I was just thinking that Lat. Last thing I want is a ringing phone while I am bombing down the slopes...
Sounds to me like...
...you'll only get a call while bombing down the parking lot. Probably won't aid skiers in a jam in the back country. Stick a tower on Mt. Troy. That would save lives as far as Admiralty Cove and beyond.
Cell coverage in the
Cell coverage in the lodge/parking lot area (not the entire mountain!) is an excellent idea, mostly because of the ride situation...many people who go to Eaglecrest carpool and need to find eachother at the end of the day. Also, kids need to call their parents for rides. Logistically speaking, this is good news.
It makes sense to me
Logistically, it makes sense to put a tower at the top of the mountain to cover more space including the back side of Mount Troy. Your cell works on the Juneau side of Troy already. also putting a tower on Troy would be more expensive than Eaglecrest because it's easy to access the top of EC.
Like Paperclip said, people need to connect with rides and other things. Also, is there really a safety problem with texting on the lift?
If you don't want to crash answering your phone, turn it off or put in on buzz. A good safety tip to not answer your phone while you are moving rapidly and that applies to skiing, bicycling, rappelling, driving, and any activity with the potential to crash.
What in the world ever
What in the world ever happened to getting away from it all?
Will...
Will we be allowing other cell companies to do the same or will this be another GCI monopoly?
Sorry, no sympathy for GCI, Alaska Airlines or AEL&P from me! When I hear of them expanding, I cringe at the control they have over this community!
This would be GREAT!!
There are some really neat smartphone app/tool for skiing that need cell service to work and the kids that race could really use an app like Ski Tracks GPS or Ski Tracker by 30 south.
Then parents could also see how fast they have been skiing. :)
Not to mention those folks who ski out of bounds and get lost could call for help and send GPS location to ski Patrol to get them help faster and off the mountain. :(
Feasibility, Wren
Wren, it boils down to feasibility and the willingness to compete with established companies. If another company finds that it's worth investing in installing their gear in the Eaglecrest area, chances are that you'll see a competitor move up there too. It's easy to gripe about a lack of choice, but looking at our small population, we're probably fortunate to have our present providers.