Written by Greta HylandPhoto by Josh Segovia
Due to unseasonably warm temperatures and low snowfall, Eagle Point Ski Resort has had to reduce their open days of operation from Thursday – Sunday down to just Saturday and Sunday until conditions change.
The resort is closed this week until Saturday, Feb. 21 for snow maintenance. Recent consecutive days with highs in the mid-50s, holiday skier traffic and no recent snowfall combined to melt off most of the snow in the unloading area of the Monarch lift, which serves many of Eagle Point’s most popular blue runs. Overnight lows above freezing temperature have made it difficult for grooming operations to re-establish any base to the Monarch unloading area making for slushy, thin and bare conditions.
Eagle Point Sky Resort Owner and CEO Shane Gadbaw said, “We are trying to save the snow. We are in conservation mode now.”
Eagle Point has 100 percent natural snow with no snowmaking capability. Gadbaw says it is really just the Monarch lift area that is the cause for the limited operation days. He says that at the top of the lift where people exit, the snow is melting and because nighttime temperatures have not been getting below freezing, the snow is slushy and they can’t do anything with it to pack the base for skiers and snowboarders.
Eagle Point’s season is supposed to run through April 5, but according to Gadbaw, if temperatures continue the way they have been going and they lose the snow, they will have no choice but to close earlier.
“Obviously we’d like to make it to April 5,” said Gadbaw.
Gadbaw went on to say that temperatures have been getting low enough for them to relocate snow to the Monarch lift area and the forecast shows lower temperatures in the future.
When the resort re-opens on Saturday, Feb. 21, they expect to have five lifts and 30 runs open as snow conditions are fair-to-great in most areas of the resort other than the Monarch lift. Ticket prices will be $30 on Saturdays and Sundays until significant new snowfall allows the resort to resume normal operations and rates. During this abbreviated schedule, the Canyonside lodge will open Friday at 4 pm for lodging check-ins, dining and bar service.
Brian Head has also offered to give Eagle Point pass holders free access on Thursdays and Fridays until Eagle Point is able to resume regular operations.
For more information or questions you can call 855-EAGLE-PT.
