| The best "little" ski area in the world, Eaglecrest is Juneau's
community - owned ski area located 12 miles from downtown on Douglas
Island. The ski season here runs from early December through mid-April with
legendary Spring skiing. Juneau, Alaska's capital city, is only accessible by
air or water with no roads leaving town. It is cut off from the rest of the
mainland by a huge icefield (daily ferries are available). No need to worry
about crowds and lift lines here! With 31 trails covering 640 skiable acres,
there is abundant terrain, including groomed trails, glades, open bowls and
ultra-steep faces. There is also a tubing area and snow terrain park. Our terrain
park - featuring tabletops and jumps, is located on the lower mountain. Eaglecrest
gets abundant snowfall, yet extremely cold temperatures in the temperant rainforest
of south-east Alaska are uncommon.
Cross-country skiers can enjoy five kilometers of machine-groomed and track-set
trails. The lower meadow trail starts just below the parking lot and is suitable
for beginners. Eaglecrest is home to downhill skier Hilary Lindh, silver medalist
in the Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France. In 1997 Hilary retired from
profesional skiing as the World Downhill Champion. Eaglecrest is also to home
to Joe Tompkins, a mono-skier on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. Local family skiing
is the theme here with 45 percent of skier visits being from Juneau's youngsters.
Plenty of lodging, restaurants and shops abound in downtown Juneau, 12 miles
away. The Eaglecrest ski bus offers transportation on weekends and holidays
only. Bus tickets are $3 one way and $6 round trip. |
