Eaglecrest Ski Area’s 2018-19 winter season is coming to an end. After two weeks of sustained warm temperatures, the snowpack is thinning rapidly and Eaglecrest is forced to adjust the operating schedule. Sunday, March 31 will be the last day of chairlifts on the main mountain. The Porcupine Learning Area will be open to the public and for scheduled school groups Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5.

This season has been a real treat. Eaglecrest enjoyed powder days, storm days, bluebird skies, and some truly great spring conditions. Join Eaglecrest in celebrating this wonderful season’s end at Slush Fest 2019 on March 31. There isn’t enough snow to safely host the pond skim, so this year’s Slush Cup is now Slush Fest.

There will be live music, BBQ, and festivities at the base of the Ptarmigan Chairlift. The lift will run an extra hour until 5 p.m. The BBQ will be open from 11:30 a.m. through the last chair, and the music will start at 2 p.m. It’s free admission, and all ages are welcome. Non-skiers and snowboarders can hike up to the chairlift base and enjoy an open-air concert and festive mountain atmosphere. Juneau Soul will be performing with additional bands to be announced soon.

In total, Eaglecrest’s 2018-19 season will amount to 85 operating days, including 78 with Ptarmigan, Black Bear, and/or Hooter Chairlifts. As always, the goal is to provide consistent and dependable winter operations to the people of Juneau and Southeast Alaska. Eaglecrest is excited to continue learning, improving, and growing in the years to come.

Eaglecrest Ski Area’s first ever uphill-downhill race series, The Powder Keg Cup, kicks off this Saturday, March 9, with two additional races scheduled for March 16 and 23. Racers will have to skin, splitboard, or snowshoe to the top of the mountain before racing back down.

It’s an after-hours event. Registration opens at 3 p.m. in the Old Tower Bar. Official start time is 4:30 p.m.

There will be men’s and women’s divisions for ski touring, splitboarding, and telemarking, as well as Heavy Hitter and Heavy Metal divisions. As a general rule, Heavy Hitters are more serious racers, and Heavy Metals are more casual.

No matter your division, competitive spirit, costumes, and shenanigans are encouraged. Prizes will be awarded accordingly.

Dates:
Saturday, March 9
Saturday, March 16
Saturday, March 23

Race Fees:
$15 Per Race
$30 For All Three Races

Timeline:
3:00 p.m. – Registration Opens at Old Tower Bar
4:15 p.m. – Rules Meeting at Hooter Chairlift Base
4:30 p.m. – Mass Start at Hooter Chairlift Base
6:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony at Old Tower Bar

Race Routes:
For the uphill portion, one race will go East, one race will go Middle, and one race will be a Choose Your Own Adventure.
Downhill routes will remain secret, in part because we haven’t decided yet.
Final details will be announced at each Rules Meeting.

Menu:
Eaglecrest Grill will be open late with snacks.
Old Tower Bar will be open pending the approval of catering event permits.

Restrictions:
Racers must be 21+ years of age or older to participate.
Racers must carry an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.

More information here.