Lift Blog

The Cottonwood Fire tore through Eagle Point Resort in Southern Utah yesterday evening, causing extensive damage. The human-caused fire ignited Monday and spread rapidly to more than 60,000 acres. Eagle Point was evacuated Monday evening and no injuries have been reported. “We are incredibly grateful for the firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect our community,” said Eagle Point owner Shane Gadbaw. “Conditions at the resort remain dangerous, and we are monitoring the situation closely,” he continued. “There has been significant property loss for local owners and the resort. Eagle Point will be closed for considerable time to recover from the catastrophe.” Gadbaw promised to share a more detailed update once employees return to the mountain.

As of this afternoon, infrared mapping on Watch Duty showed the fire burning 61,138 acres including a majority of Eagle Point’s terrain. All but one of Eagle Point’s five lifts were potentially affected and a photo circulating on social media showed the Canyonside Lodge engulfed in flames. Note that infrared fire perimeters are preliminary and do not necessarily reflect structure protection efforts by firefighters.

Eagle Point unfortunately becomes the latest on a list of resorts impacted by wildland fire in recent years. In 2007, a wildfire destroyed both lifts at Trinity Mountain, California, and the resort never reopend. In June 2012, a large fire burned sections of Ski Apache, New Mexico. Three lifts were destroyed and the tribe that owns the mountain hired Doppelmayr to replace them that fall at a cost of $15 million. Back in California, the Caldor Fire burned through Sierra-at-Tahoe in August 2021, damaging numerous lifts and buildings. Sierra managed to repair all lifts but missed an entire season and reopened in December 2022. The 2024 Bridge Fire burned part of Mountain High, California, damaging several lifts.