Skeetawk opens after weather and snow delays

Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass opened this week after warm weather and a lack of snow caused delays. Crews have been working hard for the past two months prepping the snow surface and snow farming, or transporting snow from other locations on the mountain and bringing it to the surface area where the majority of runs are. While not ideal weather and snow conditions, staff and customers are happy to have Skeetawk up and running.

“It is very much early season conditions,” Skeetawk General Manager Megan Justus said. “It's not that ‘pow that everybody wants to ride, but skiing outside in the sun is skiing outside in the sun and we're happy to be open.”

Skeetawk was set to open on Dec. 13 and 14, but postponed opening until Dec. 26 for lessons only, according to Justus. They were operating with a smaller crew and maximized their time and efforts with what they had. Skeetawk only offered lessons until Dec. 28. They opened to season pass holders on Dec. 29 and the general public on Dec. 30. Skeetawk is now fully operational with a few runs still closed with the lack of snow.

Snow has been transported from other locations in Skeetawk’s use area. Grooming crews have been moving snow in new and creative ways, Justus said. The crews have been working since Nov. 1 with the mindset to use all of the available snow they receive in the most efficient ways possible.

“It's pretty unprecedented, but it really speaks to the staff and their amazing effort,” Justus said.

Cooler temperatures over the past few days have allowed farmed or transported snow to stick to the runs, or “hold.” The transported snow freezes and bonds with the snow layers below. As skiers and snowboarders travel downhill, they carry some of that snow with them, eroding the surface. Groomers each night push the snow back uphill for it to rebond and hold again for the next day of riding.

“As long as the hill can continue to hold, we will stay open,” Justus said. “Although we would love to see a snowflake come down. It would definitely make us more comfortable.”

Skeetawk experienced a similar delayed opening during the winter of 2021-2022. Justus said that the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Rasmuson Foundation have fully funded Skeetawk’s snowmaking project, which should be implemented in the upcoming year. The ability to make snow will minimize these kinds of problems in the future.

Skeetawk will be feeling some fiscal effects from the delayed opening, according to Justus. They were not able to capitalize on a majority of the Christmas Break, a normally busy time for them. Justus remains optimistic with a long season ahead and the full lines at the lifts she has been witnessing the last few days.

“We've got a loyal customer base,” Justus said. “The fact that we're open means people will come and just get what they can so we hope to make that deficit back.”

Justus said there has been a good vibe all around, from both customers and staff. People are excited to be back on the mountain and making the most of what the winter has been so far.

“It's sunny and beautiful here and people are out,” Justus said. “The general narrative that I've heard from the customers is that they're just happy that we're open and glad we were able to pull something off.”