Eaglecrest seeks $800K for chairlift

With unpredictable snowfall, Eaglecrest Ski Area needs a mid-mountain lift, according to its supporters.

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For the past few years, Eaglecrest Ski Area has had a late season, thus generating less revenue. Eaglecrest officials said a mid-mountain chairlift would allow the ski area to open earlier.

Eaglecrest is asking the Juneau Assembly to buy a used chairlift with $800,000 from a 1 percent sales tax, which is up for renewal. The total cost of the chairlift is $900,000, with $100,000 coming from fundraising campaigns.

The lift would be near the top of the existing Hooter chairlift and reach the summit of the East Bowl.

"The chairlift would be 400 feet higher than the current chairlift and allow us to open the upper mountain between Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Kirk Duncan, manager of the ski area. "We would be less reliant on our manmade snow and offer more consistent opening days."

This year, Eaglecrest's ski season started Dec. 31 instead of the scheduled Dec. 11 because there wasn't enough snow on the base.

"We missed 12 budgeted days of operation over Christmas break, which is historically a strong revenue producer," Duncan said. "We would have additional $200,000 in sales."

Duncan said he hopes the Assembly can recognize the importance of the chairlift.

The city's 1 percent optional sales tax expires Dec. 31. The Assembly will ask voters to renew it in the October election. A five-year 1 percent sales tax can generate $34.5 million. But other city projects, such as sewer expansion and harbor maintenance, are vying for the revenues.

At its earlier meeting, the Assembly Finance Committee agreed to allocate $800,000 to the ski area. The committee will hold another meeting Thursday to finalize which projects would receive revenues from the sales tax.

Duncan said the ski area wouldn't close later in spring because of the chairlift.

"There is more enthusiasm in the beginning of the season than the end of the season," Duncan said.

Eaglecrest's fundraising campaign starts June 21, when residents are invited to the ski area for free burgers and hot dogs in the evening. Staff members will present the ski area's short-term and long-term plans.

• I-Chun Che can be reached at ichun.che@juneauempire.com.