Alaska Ski Areas Want to Serve Alcohol

Ski areas in Alaska are angling to be able to serve alcohol to visitors.

Permission to do so has been included in a bill pending before the Alaska legislature, according to the Associated Press.

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Currently, ski and snowboard areas are excluded from a state law that details recreational locations where alcohol sales are allowed.

The new legislation, put forth by Republican Sen. Peter Micciche, would add ski and snowboard areas to list, according to the Associated Press.

If the measure passes, it would be welcome news for Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski Area, which had been preparing to open a bar on site. The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, however, rejected the ski area’s application.

The ski area’s General Manager, Dave Scanlan, explained in a letter to Alaska’s lawmakers that changing weather patterns have made business challenging for Eaglecrest. He is hopeful that beer and wine sales will inject needed revenue for the property.

“Running a small community ski area is no small endeavor and due to changing weather patterns, has become more and more financially challenging,” Scanlan wrote, according to the Juneau Empire. “Having a robust food and beverage program that includes beer and wine sales is one of the primary revenue streams for small community ski areas.”

The bill has passed the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and now heads to the Senate Finance Committee. If it becomes law, Eaglecrest could have its bar open next winter.