Industry News
Eagle Point Resort, Utah, will not open for the 2026-27 ski season after suffering extensive damage from the state’s largest wildfire in recorded history, followed by major flooding that destroyed the only paved access road to the mountain. These challenges have led the resort to make the difficult decision not to open for the 2026-27 winter season. The Cottonwood fire burned roughly 300 of 600 acres at the resort, leaving significant destruction that will require extensive time and resources to restore. Eagle Point is located in southern Utah, and is locally owned and operated. The resort has 600 skiable acres, five lifts, and 43 runs.
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Eagle Point owner Shane Gadaw said “Our first responsibility is the safety of our guests and employees,” added Gadaw, “The damage to our lifts is significant, and the full extent of that damage is still being evaluated. We are scheduling rope inspections, non-destructive testing, and manufacturer inspections, and we believe it is likely that portions of our lift infrastructure, including several haul ropes, will require replacement. Those components can take months to manufacture and deliver, making it impossible for us to responsibly plan for winter operations this season.”
Included in the destruction at the resort is the Canyonside Lodge and the Tushar Ridge warming station, as well as four of five chairlifts. Additionally, fires claimed nearly 150 homes and condos in the community. Excessive flooding took out the State Route 153 access road, prompting the resort to close indefinitely until the road is repaired. Access to the resort is limited to an unpaved road from Junction, Utah, making it more difficult for restoration crews to reach the property and assess damage caused by the Cottonwood Fire.
- Related: Highway to Fire-Ravaged Eagle Point Resort, UT, Closes Indefinitely After Flooding Washes Out Road
“Our commitment to Eagle Point has not changed,” said Gadbaw. “While we are heartbroken to miss the 2026-27 season, our focus remains on supporting the families who were impacted, advancing recovery efforts, restoring the health of our mountain, and working with local, state, and federal partners to determine the path forward. The road ahead won’t be easy, but we remain committed to the future of this community and this mountain.”
Eagle Point season pass holders have several options following the resort’s closure. Passholders can request a full refund, defer their pass to the 2027–28 ski season, or donate part or all of the cost of their pass to BeaverTUF, the nonprofit established by the resort to support the local community’s recovery from the wildfire. Due to the damaging weather events in the area, resort officials said there is not enough time to safely repair the mountain to open for the upcoming winter season but they feel confident in the future of the resort.
