Juneau, Alaska— Located on Douglas Island, Eaglecrest is a reasonably fascinating ski space. Juneau’s municipal authorities owns and operates the Alaska ski space. The Eaglecrest Board oversees the mountain’s operations, which have begun to look in the direction of the long run. For years, the ski space has been a fantastic spot for locals as a consequence of its ample powder, nevertheless it’s been a objective for some time now to make it a four-season vacation spot.
Dave Scanlan, who was Eaglecrest’s Common Supervisor for seven years, led the hassle in 2022 to buy a used gondola from Austria. With building reportedly set to start this summer time, the Eaglecrest Board has determined to vary management.
KTOO studies that the Eaglecrest Board requested for David Scanlan’s resignation throughout a gathering Wednesday night time that mentioned his efficiency as Common Supervisor. Scanlan, who instructed the Juneau Empire that the transfer “got here as an entire shock,” agreed to this resolution and voluntarily resigned. The Board can’t talk about personnel issues, so the explanations for the compelled resignation are being stored below wraps. The resignation will turn into efficient on June third. Erin Lupro, who serves because the Director of Snowsports Faculty, Rental, Retail & Restore, would be the interim Common Supervisor.
Following the assembly, the Eaglecrest Board issued the next public assertion:
“The Eaglecrest Board wish to thank Dave Scanlan for his service as Common Supervisor, significantly his imaginative and prescient of Eaglecrest offering year-round leisure alternatives for residents and guests alike.
Nonetheless, we’ve requested for and accepted his resignation and we are going to instantly start the seek for his alternative so as to put together for a profitable winter season and proceed transferring the gondola undertaking ahead.
Erin Lupro, the present Eaglecrest Director of Snowsports Faculty, Rental, Retail & Restore, has been appointed as interim basic supervisor till the board could make long run organizational selections.”
On Thursday morning, Dave Scanlan supplied an announcement to the Juneau Empire. Whereas he does present some reasoning behind the choice, it doesn’t look like sufficient of a legit purpose for the Board to make him resign:
“After I utilized to tackle the overall supervisor place the board was on the lookout for a hands-on working supervisor with the imaginative and prescient to increase into summer time operations, and make sure the reliability of winter operations within the face of ongoing local weather change and variable climate patterns. Over the past seven years I’ve devoted my life to this mission and I imagine I’ve completed precisely this.
The present board has a need to discover a extra office-process, paper-oriented basic supervisor to guide the mountain by way of this subsequent interval. It has been an entire honor to guide the good crew at Eaglecrest and supply constant operations for the passionate customers of Eaglecrest...
My spouse and I’ve fallen deeply in love with Juneau and Eaglecrest ski space, and I really feel I really feel this shall be a method I can proceed to indicate the group and the customers that my dedication to Eaglecrest has not wavered.”
Scanlan is pondering his subsequent transfer. He might find yourself helping Eaglecrest with their snowmaking operations for the 2024-25 season, which Scanlan hopes will encourage season move gross sales.
Native skiers and riders are at present mystified and attempting to determine why Dave, who’s described as a hands-on chief, was canned. Listed here are two considerate feedback that had been posted on Juneau Empire’s Fb put up concerning the resignation:
- “Dave was one of many hardest working managers that Eaglecrest ever had. If he wasn’t making snow to get the season began, he was shoveling snow from stairways, cleansing up trays within the cafeteria, even being a lifty when wanted. He labored onerous & introduced a imaginative and prescient to the ski space that he hoped would assist Eaglecrest stay viable in perpetuity. As a season passholder for many years, I’ve appreciated his work ethic, innovation and willingness to leap in the place ever wanted. I don’t know what has transpired however Eaglecrest shall be challenged to seek out an equal.”
- “I’m completely blown away. I believe he’s been by far essentially the most professional energetic, hardest working supervisor we’ve had in my 35+ years of Eaglecrest use. What number of different basic managers will step up and do actually ANY job that wants doing. Operating groomer, plowing the parking zone, you title it. Right here’s to you Dave! Eaglecrest is a greater place than if you got here. The snowmaking is tremendously expanded, we’ve lastly acquired some beer up there, and whether or not or not you agree with it, (im on the fence) a tram being constructed. Unhappy to see him go.”
Whereas unconfirmed, the primary theories at this level are that there was frustration over the dealing with of the gondola undertaking, together with the ski space having a sizeable deficit. After it value $3.1 million to buy and transport a used gondola to Juneau, it was introduced in December that the carry wanted components that may value one other $1.86 million. The undertaking has additionally encountered delays, as it’s now anticipated to open by the summer time of 2026. With the departure of Scanlan, it’s unclear whether or not that is nonetheless the plan.
The ski space at present has a deficit of $415,000, which Scanlan blamed on warming winters, a employee crunch, and inflation. Scanlan not too long ago requested for a $900k five-year mortgage from town to finance a employee pay increase and the gondola undertaking. Based on KTOO, they solely acquired a five-year mortgage value $518k.
In the end, putting in this gondola is significant to rising Eaglecrest. A few of their plans that had been accepted by the Eaglecrest Board embrace a summit lodge on the high terminal of the gondola, mountain biking trails, a snow tubing park, and a small parking enlargement. A few of their long-term addition concepts embrace a mountain coaster, a ropes course, and an journey maze. Throughout the offseason, Juneau is a serious cruising hub, so Eaglecrest is primed to turn into a money cow if they’ll construct up their infrastructure.
I’m curious to see what occurs subsequent. Alaska, which options unimaginable snowboarding terrain, lacks signature ski resorts besides Alyeska. Eaglecrest has the potential to turn into a vacation spot ski resort, however the subsequent steps from the Eaglecrest Board are essential to its trajectory.
Picture/Video Credit: Eaglecrest Ski Space
