Black Bear Chair to run on Thursday

Sun halo at Black Bear
Shooting into the sun without a lens hood off the Black Bear Chairlift means that sometimes you get lens flare along with what you previously thought was a cool image of a cirrostratus sun halo. April 12, 2014. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

More terrain will be open up for anxious skiers and snowboarders this weekend. The Black Bear Chair will start operating at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Thursday.

General Manager Matt Lillard says they decided to open up the ski area’s east side after determining the accumulated snow could hold up to multiple days of skiers and snowboarders.

“And the other reason was really the fun factor,” Lillard says. “We didn’t want to send people up there for an experience that was simply not enjoyable.”

Lillard says the Black Bear Chair and east side trails will be accessible only through the Ptarmigan Chair.

“We will be limiting the number of rides people can take on the Ptarmigan Chair because we really want people to stay up on the Black Bear Chair and use it as the main mode to take your laps in for skiing. We are working on a system to do that,” Lillard says. “Really, the Ptarmigan Chair is strictly a way to access the upper mountain.”

Lillard says it makes more sense to send skiers and snowboarders up to the top of the mountain rather than have everyone walk across from top of the Hooter Chair over to Black Bear.

Lillard recommends only advanced and expert skiers head over to the east side because of obstacles and relatively light snow cover. As of Monday, there was about 38 inches of snow at the top of the mountain.

“There’s definitely still thin spots and the snow is a little crusty at the moment. But where we’ve packed down is quite enjoyable,” Lillard says. “As we get later into January, we’re just to find any way possible to start skiing and riding.”

Skiers and riders can get off the mountain on the Sneaky and Williwaw trails.

Since the ski area opened early last month, skiers and snowboarders have been limited to the beginner runs off the Porcupine Chairlift.

The west side of the ski area, the lower mountain and the Hooter Chair will remain closed because of inadequate snow.

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