Thanks to Shane Gadbaw, owner and operator of Eagle Point Resort for the past 17 years, who just sat down with Samatha Hoffman from KUTV 2 for an in depth interview following the announcement that Utah ski resort will not operate next winter due to extensive wildfire damage to the terrain, buildings, and chairlifts.
For Gadbaw, the decision to shutter the mountain carries deep personal weight, marking the first Christmas in nearly two decades that he will not spend at Eagle Point.
“This is the first Christmas in 17 years where I won’t be at Eagle Point. It’s just a really negative period of time for most people in Beaver County.” -Shane Gadbaw
While the broader community in Beaver County grapples with the fallout from the wildfire, Gadbaw has adopted a forward-looking perspective, recognizing that he must stay ahead of the recovery timeline and lead the effort to restore the resort.
The most critical obstacles involve the damaged chairlifts and the surrounding forest. Several haul ropes that support the chairs must be replaced, components that take roughly six months to manufacture overseas, making it impossible to get the lifts ready in time for winter 2026/27.
Access to begin construction projects has been further complicated by the destruction of Highway 153. Currently crews are relying on a longer, unpaved back-route through Piute County that raises costs, limits heavy equipment, and may close entirely during winter. Debris removal is already underway with the help of six retained full-time staff, while insurance adjusters continue daily assessments of remaining structures and equipment. A collaborative state and federal project is also taking shape to remove hazardous burned trees across roughly 2,000 acres of private land, mulch the debris, and begin erosion control.
Looking ahead, Gadbaw’s goal is to reopen for the 2027–28 ski season. New lodging and facilities can wait, but restoring lift operations and reliable road access remain essential. The resort’s closure will no doubt impact Beaver County’s winter economy, affecting hotels, restaurants, retailers, and more than 100 seasonal workers.
Support is flowing through the newly established Beaver Tough Foundation which is collecting donations to match government grants for forest rehabilitation. Though the path back is long and uncertain, Gadbaw and his team remain focused on the recovery that will one day return skiers to Eagle Point.
