Ski Industry Rallies Around Eagle Point Resort Following Cottonwood Fire

Ski Industry Rallies Around Eagle Point Resort Following Cottonwood Fire

Resorts, Industry Partners, and Mountain Communities Across the West Unite to Support Recovery Efforts in Beaver County

 

BEAVER, Utah — October 13, 2026 — As opening day preparations ramp up at ski resorts across the country, Eagle Point Resort continues its recovery from the Cottonwood Fire. While the resort will not welcome guests during the 2026-27 winter season, the months since the fire have revealed another side of the ski industry: a community that comes together when one of its own is in need. Resort operators, industry organizations, mountain communities, vendors, and supporters from across the West have rallied around Eagle Point, offering everything from financial support and operational guidance to equipment assistance and recovery expertise.

 

“As ski season gets closer, there’s no question we’d rather be welcoming guests to the mountain,” said Shane Gadbaw, owner of Eagle Point Resort. “Instead, we’re focused on recovery. It has been remarkable to see how many resorts, industry leaders, and partners have stepped forward to help. There is a real sense of community within the ski industry. When one mountain faces a challenge, people show up to assist however they can.”

 

The Cottonwood Fire destroyed homes and condominiums within the Eagle Point community, damaged critical resort infrastructure, and led to months of recovery efforts that continue today. In response, ski industry organizations and resort leaders throughout the region have provided support in a variety of ways.

 

Sharing Eagle Point’s Story

Among the earliest supporters was Ski Utah, which helped elevate awareness of Eagle Point’s recovery by featuring Gadbaw on its season-opening podcast and sharing updates about the resort’s recovery efforts and the launch of BeaverTUF. The organization has also helped connect resort leadership with government agencies, decision-makers, and other stakeholders involved in infrastructure and recovery efforts.

 

“Ski Utah immediately recognized the importance of helping tell our story,” said Gadbaw. “Their support ensured that Eagle Point and Beaver County remained part of the broader ski community conversation. They have also helped connect us with the right people and advocate for the resources needed to support recovery.”

 

Support Takes Many Forms

Assistance from across the ski industry has taken many forms, from financial contributions and employment connections to equipment options and technical expertise. Solitude Mountain Resort contributed to BeaverTUF, the nonprofit foundation established following the Cottonwood Fire to support recovery, restoration, and resilience initiatives throughout Beaver County. Nearby Brian Head Resort has offered to host a fundraiser for BeaverTUF during the upcoming ski season — more details to come.

 

Following the announcement that Eagle Point will not operate during the 2026-27 winter season, Park City Mountain Resort offered to help connect displaced Eagle Point employees with open employment opportunities. Several industry partners also made themselves available to Eagle Point employees seeking work during the resort’s closure.

 

Other resorts have helped Eagle Point identify potential options as it evaluates its long-term infrastructure needs. Powder Mountain reached out regarding lifts it was planning to decommission, ensuring Eagle Point was aware of all possibilities as recovery planning continues.

 

Lift manufacturers and industry partners have provided technical assistance as well. Doppelmayr, Leitner-Poma, SkyTrac, and other lift-industry partners sent engineers to Eagle Point to assist with inspections and damage evaluations. Their teams have helped assess the fire’s impact on lift infrastructure and identify potential recovery strategies and repair plans.

 

“These weren’t simply offers of help. People looked at what they could provide, whether that was expertise, equipment, employment opportunities, or financial assistance, and found ways to contribute,” said Gadbaw. “That willingness to support Eagle Point has meant a great deal to our team and community.”

 

Recovery Is a Shared Experience

Across the West, resort operators and industry leaders have reached out to Eagle Point with advice, mentorship, operational guidance, and lessons from their own experiences. Among them is John Rice, president of Ski California and former vice president and general manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, who oversaw the recovery and rebuilding after the Caldor Fire in 2021, which burned nearly 80 percent of the resort.

 

For Eagle Point, that willingness to share knowledge has become another important part of the recovery process. “Mountain communities understand the challenges that come with events like this,” Gadbaw said. “Our colleagues throughout the ski industry have been extraordinary, offering advice, perspective, and a helping hand. We’re deeply grateful, and we hope to pay it forward someday.”

 

Looking Ahead

Significant recovery work remains underway across the mountain and throughout the community as Eagle Point continues to write its comeback story.

 

In recent weeks, cleanup efforts at Canyonside Lodge have been completed, lift damage assessments have advanced significantly, and critical infrastructure restoration efforts continue. Rocky Mountain Power has completed repairs to the Eagle Point electrical grid, and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has publicly stated its goal of restoring one-lane access to the mountain this fall. These milestones represent important steps in the broader recovery process and provide momentum as planning efforts continue.

 

Eagle Point and community partners are also evaluating large-scale forest and watershed restoration projects designed to address erosion, flooding risk, wildfire resilience, and long-term environmental recovery throughout the Eagle Point area and Beaver County. These efforts are expected to play an important role in protecting the region’s natural resources and supporting future generations.

 

“Although Eagle Point won’t open this winter, the support we’ve received has reinforced our belief that this community’s future is bright,” said Gadbaw. “Every conversation, donation, offer of assistance, and word of encouragement helps move our recovery forward. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone in the ski industry who has stood beside us over the past several months. There is still a great deal of work ahead, but we are making progress every day. We remain committed to the future of Eagle Point and Beaver County.”

 

Eagle Point season passholders can look forward to skiing at partner resorts this winter, which have agreed to honor their commitments to provide reciprocal access. Passholders will receive further correspondence on access details in the coming weeks. Thank you to Ski Granby Ranch, Cherry Peak, Soldier Mountain, Diamond Peak, Red River Ski Area, and Kelly Canyon for your ongoing support.

 

About BeaverTUF

BeaverTUF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established following the Cottonwood Fire to support long-term recovery, restoration, and resilience efforts throughout Beaver County. Donations help fund critical recovery projects not covered by other funding sources and provide matching dollars needed to pursue larger state and federal grants for forest restoration, watershed recovery, and wildfire resilience initiatives. To learn more or make a donation, visit www.BeaverTUF.org.

 

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Media Contact: Samantha Garcia, Director of Marketing, samantha@skieaglepoint.com