Eagle Point Resort has announced intentions to rebuild following devastating damage from the Cottonwood Fire, though a definitive timeline for the reconstruction remains uncertain. The disaster significantly threatens the longevity of the surrounding community and directly affects more than 100 local jobs.
The human-caused wildfire has scorched over 96,000 acres within the Fishlake National Forest and is currently about 60% contained. Because hot spots continue to smolder daily, the U.S. Forest Service expects the region to remain an active fire zone for several months. While resort owner Shane Gadbaw acknowledges that the landscape of the mountain has been permanently altered, he has expressed confidence that the resort will ultimately return as a more resilient destination.
KUTV reports resort management is concentrated on insurance claims to cover major asset losses. The fire damaged four chairlifts, the Canyonside Lodge, and five snowmobiles.
Beyond structural rebuilding, the terrain itself presents a massive hurdle. Half of the resort’s 600 skiable acres were impacted by the fire, leaving the steep side of the mountain littered with hazardous trees. Gadbaw anticipates financial shortfalls and gaps in the recovery process required to make the slopes safe for skiing again, prompting him to urge the government to provide urgent relief to the forest.
The economic fallout has severely impacted the resort’s workforce. Management was only able to retain two out of approximately 15 full-time employees. Furthermore, around 100 seasonal workers will feel the impact by ski season. Because the fire immediately shut down summer operations, those staff members lost their jobs first, though a few resort employees were successfully transitioned into Gadbaw’s construction operation. The surrounding neighborhood faced a catastrophic loss as well. About 145 families (more than half of the local community) lost their properties.
To help navigate the financial gaps that insurance and government relief cannot cover, Eagle Point Resort is establishing a new foundation named BEAVER-TUF to aid in the recovery efforts.
About BeaverTUF Foundation:
BeaverTUF is a 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to supporting the community of Beaver, Utah. Our formation was inspired by Eagle Point Resort owner Shane Gadbaw, who has long desired to give back to the community in southern Utah he holds dear. The devastation caused by the Cottonwood Fire created an immediate opportunity for impact and a sense of urgency to formally launch the organization today.
In the short term, BeaverTUF will focus on supporting the recovery efforts in the community and areas impacted by the fire. The organization will seek to provide funding for restoration, recovery, and community needs that may fall outside the scope of insurance coverage, FEMA assistance, or other public funding sources.
As recovery efforts progress and the community transitions from rebuilding to renewal, BeaverTUF will expand its mission to fulfill Shane’s original vision — investing in the future of Beaver County’s youth through programs, partnerships, scholarships, and initiatives that create opportunities for the next generation.
