This week got off to an exciting start. We picked up some new snow. Unfortunately, rain moved in Wednesday morning and put a stop to the progress…at least on the lower mountain. Reports from hikers and ski patrol say conditions from the base of Black Bear Chairlift and up are actually really great! However, before we can run more lifts and open more terrain, we need a safe return route back to the base.
To help get us on the upper mountain, we’re getting aggressive with snowmaking and lining up the snow guns along the summer road from Black Bear down to Ptarmigan. All the guns will be running on high-pressure water lines thanks to the new pump house and pipeline. Based on last season’s success and early results from the six new air/water guns, we’re confident that we can produce enough snow to fill in a home run trail, but the question is when will weather cooperate.
It looks like we have a shot at making snow Friday night through Sunday, but temps and humidity levels will be right on the margins (we need below 28° and 90% humidity). Nothing’s guaranteed, but best case scenario, we’ll be able to blow in the summer road and have a Hooter-to-Black Bear upper mountain opening early next week.
Eaglecrest is closed tomorrow (Friday). We will re-open on Saturday and be open daily through January 6th, except closed Christmas Day. For now, it’s Porcupine Chairlift only, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.. We will keep you updated on snowmaking progress. For now, it will be Porcupine Chairlift only from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. You can still make some turns on the bunny slope. The ski shop is open and we have lots of great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!
The Snow Bus will NOT run this weekend! Mountain Lift and Tower Bar will be open! The Eaglecrest Grill will have tacos on special!
