Swing To The Top Of Mt. Eyak Ski Area On A 1939 Ski Lift
By Megan McDonald|Published January 19, 2020
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Megan McDonald
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Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
If you’re looking to see some of the most beautiful views in Southcentral Alaska, hop on the Mt. Eyak Ski Area ski lift and take a look at the stunning views below you. With ocean and city views, and mountains as far as the eye can see, this ski area delivers on both fun winter activities and beautiful panoramas. Let the vintage ski lift take you up above Cordova and the channel below!
Mt. Eyak Ski Area is a mountain area that offers alpine skiing and snowboarding.
It's located on Mt. Eyak, which towers above the seaside town of Cordova, Alaska. The base elevation of this beautiful mountain is almost at sea level; it starts right at 400 feet.
Because the mountain is so close to the ocean, it often gets a lot of moisture. The result is many days where it gets lots of fresh snow! In fact, the annual snowfall is 350".
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There are 30 different trail runs on the mountain.
20% of those runs are very easy, 60% is moderate, and 20% is difficult. The longest run is 750 feet, and the vertical drop on the mountain is 800 feet.
If you get hungry on the slopes, you can stop by their Snack Shack. The mountain ski area is owned and operated in partnership with the city of Cordova, as the non-profit corporation Sheridan Alpine Association.
The mountain is serviced by a historic 1939 American Steel and Wire single chair lift, that drops you at the very top at 1200 feet high.
This particular lift has a long history, starting out in Sun Valley as one of the very first chair lifts that were made in the entire world! It then made its way out to Alaska when Sun Valley upgraded to double chairs. It's been modified only slightly throughout the years, until 1988 when upgrades to the entire lift brought it up to speed.
There is also a rope tow for those who want to practice on the beginner slope.
A new tow handle for the rope tow was replaced in 1998. The original tow rope had been around since the 1960's. You can actually now buy one of the original vintage single ski lift chairs online. Check out Mt. Eyak Ski Area's website for more details.
This great mountain ski area is open from December through April.
