Eagle Point Resort says half its ski terrain impacted by Cottonwood Fire

The view from Eagle Point's Monarch Lift after the Cottonwood Fire. Photo: Eagle Point Resort

BEAVER, Utah — Eagle Point Resort has released its first detailed assessment of damage from the Cottonwood Fire, which continues to burn at almost 94,000 acres and is 5 percent contained.

The resort confirmed widespread losses across the southern portion of the ski area.

In a Facebook update posted Tuesday, resort officials said they were able to return to the property for the first time since the fire reached the resort and begin evaluating the damage.

“Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this fire,” the resort wrote. “While it’s heartbreaking to see the damage, we are incredibly grateful that everyone was evacuated safely and that no lives were lost at the resort.”

According to the initial assessment, approximately 300 of the resort’s 600 acres of ski terrain were impacted, primarily on the south side of the mountain along Tushar Ridge, commonly known as “the Steeps.”

Among the most significant losses, the fire destroyed Canyonside Lodge, one of the resort’s two day lodges, along with more than 100 condominiums and 30 cabins. The Warming Station on Tushar Ridge was also lost.

Resort officials said four of the resort’s five chairlifts sustained damage, although the full extent is still being determined. The fire also destroyed five snowmobiles, three vehicles, and three storage containers filled with tools.

Despite the destruction, several key facilities and infrastructure survived the fire.

Resort officials said Skyline Lodge, the resort’s main on-mountain facility, remains intact, along with the Monarch lift on the north side of the mountain, most of the Skyline terrain, the snowmaking pond and equipment, and the property’s cell phone and internet towers. The Aspen Crest subdivision also sustained only minimal tree damage.

The resort cautioned that the assessment remains preliminary and that crews have only begun evaluating the property.

“This is still an ongoing process,” the resort said. “It will take time to fully understand the full scope of the damage.”

The Cottonwood Fire prompted evacuations and burned through portions of the resort before firefighters were able to limit further spread. The fire is still burning, and this is an ongoing story.