Juneau finance committee deadlocks 4-4 on Eaglecrest closure study as ski area seeks $1.68M

The Juneau Assembly Finance Committee deadlocked 4-4 in April on a motion to study what it would cost to keep Eaglecrest Ski Area operationally warm during a closure. The vote came after Eaglecrest's board presented budget scenarios showing the $930,000 General Fund subsidy target the committee had directed was not viable and would require a 33 percent staffing cut.

The committee had previously directed Eaglecrest to return with a no-deficit budget built around a $930,000 General Fund subsidy. Minutes from the April 29 meeting, placed before the committee Wednesday for approval, show Eaglecrest Board President Brandon Cullum told the committee that hitting that number would slash full-time equivalents from 40.90 to 18.06, drop operating days from 86 to roughly 66, eliminate Wednesdays and holiday Mondays, and likely hurt customer confidence and season pass sales.

"This budget presents a worse situation than the one Eaglecrest faced in December 2025, with a diminished ability to keep lifts running and slopes open," Cullum said. "Downward pressure on customer confidence will likely negatively impact revenue."

Cullum presented a third scenario: a $1,681,913 General Fund contribution, nearly double the committee's target, as the minimum needed to keep the mountain open without a deficit. "This scenario demonstrates the minimum of what Eaglecrest will need to operate for another season," he said, framing it as a floor, not a path to sustainability.

Acting General Manager Erin Lupro told the committee that reaching the $930,000 target required examining every line item and position. "We looked at every line item and position and assessed how they could do without or reduce to the bare minimum," Lupro said.

Cullum added a fiscal argument against forcing closure through underfunding. Eaglecrest carries nearly $600,000 in annual fixed costs that continue whether the mountain operates or not. If the Assembly holds to $930,000 and Eaglecrest closes, the city saves less than $400,000 per year.

Assemblymember Woll moved to direct city and Eaglecrest staff to bring back the cost of keeping Eaglecrest operationally warm. Mayor Weldon amended the motion to also include an analysis option for a future plan for Eaglecrest. That amendment passed 7-1. City Manager Katie Koester said Facilities Maintenance Manager Nate Abbott could produce a multi-level closure analysis within a few weeks. The underlying motion as amended then failed 4-4.

Assemblymember Steininger opposed spending staff time on a closure path he would not support. Assemblymembers Woll and Kelly said they wanted the data to make informed decisions. Kelly said he supports the motion even though he doubts he would vote to close Eaglecrest. Voting yes were Woll, Hughes-Skandijs, Kelly, and Smith. Voting no were Steininger, Hall, Brooks, and Mayor Weldon.