Industry News
Eaglecrest Ski Area, located on Douglas Island, a 15-minute drive from Downtown Juneau, Alaska, hit a figurative mogul while preparing to install their recently purchased gondola as more parts are required than initially calculated. Brought to the attention of the Juneau Assembly Committee at their Monday meeting, Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan informed Assembly members that the second-hand gondola will need more wheels, towers, and haul rope. “We were aware we were going to need additional towers for the midway station,” Scanlan said, “We didn’t anticipate as many.”
Previously installed at the Austrian ski area Galsterberg, the gondola has a 7,972-foot-long ropeway, 15 fire-galvanized towers, 12 cabins holding up to 15 people each, and the capability to transport up to 600 people an hour. The increase in parts and funding is due to the gondola’s proposed different configuration when installed at Eaglecrest, necessitating the additional towers capable of supporting a midway loading station for riders, Scanlan said.
Even with the additional parts needed, the project can still be finished with the $6.5 million presently on hand available for construction without requesting the city for additional funding. This possibility is due to Assembly members passing the request from Eaglecrest’s Board of Directors for “alternative procurement,” enabling more efficient use of investment than the city’s traditional contracting processes. The “alternative procurement” process permits qualifications-based contractor selection in place of traditional bids, authorizes sections of work to advance before full completion of project documents, and grants setting a negotiated guaranteed highest price.
“Utilizing alternative procurement will allow a team of very experienced contractors to come together and work with project engineers and Eaglecrest staff to find the most efficient way to utilize Eaglecrest specialized equipment and knowledge to find the most effective and efficient way to execute all phases of construction.”
— David Scanlan, Eaglecrest General Manager
Initiating “alternative procurement” theoretically allows Eaglecrest to stay on schedule for the planned gondola opening during the 2025-26 ski season, Scanlan informed Assembly members. This timeline allows for an appropriate trial and adjustment period to ensure the gondola is capable of handling increased traffic during the busier summer tourism and cruise season in 2026.
Eaglecrest Ski Area is a community-owned and operated ski area with 1,620 feet of vertical drop, over 640 skiable acres, easy backcountry access, and a variety of big mountain features including powder bowls, chutes, groomed runs, and tree glades. Eaglecrest averages 320 inches of annual snowfall, provides access to 36 named trails, and is a proud member of several independent season pass agreements including the Powder Alliance and Indy Pass. Eaglecrest also offers a Boarding Pass Deal for travelers to ski or ride free on the same day as their flight, seaplane, or ferry. Simply provide your boarding pass to the Eaglecrest Ticket Window and receive a free lift ticket for the day!
