Backcountry Conditions
Popular backcountry skiing areas include Spaulding Meadows and the Dan Moller bowl. Spaulding Meadows has an endless amount of low-angle touring accessed from the Lake Creek Trail near UAS housing (beware of snow machines when the snow is deep enough for their access) and both the Auk Nu/Spaulding trails. Know your backcountry navigation especially in Spaulding Meadows because when the clouds descend orienting could be difficult.
The Dan Moller bowl is the old ski area before Eaglecrest was built in the 1970s. Dan Moller is accessed in West Juneau either from the lower footpath on Pioneer Ave. or the snow machine access for the Treadwell Ditch Trail at the upper end of Jackson Road. The Dan Moller trail crosses numerous snow avalanche paths so know the conditions and be prepared before you go. The glades in the cabin vicinity offer great backcountry skiing with the upper slopes in the bowl steeper with greater avalanche potential. Climbing skins are necessary for the glades and the bowl, but scales can be sufficient up until that point. Beware of snow machines when the snow is deep enough for their access.
Trail Etiquette
- Skate skiers, please skate in the skate lane
- Classic skiers, ski in the set classic tracks and not in the skate lane (leaves ruts).
- Walkers / Snowshoers, walk to the side of the trails opposite the set classic tracks.
- Dog Owners, control your dogs and pick up the scat. Please, no dogs on the groomed trails at Eaglecrest
- Groomers often work at night. Please do not ski on the groomed tracks until the following morning as they are setting the tracks up for all to enjoy. Skiing on them before they have a chance to setup leaves ruts for the next skier.
- Show courtesy for all and share the trails.