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Fairbanks Area Proposed Ski Areas

1982 - 1985
Name of Ski Areas: Wickersham Dome, Chena Sunny Site, Haystack Mountain, Ester Dome, Bedrock Creek, Angel Creek, Angel Rocks, Ski Boot Hill (expansion)
Location: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Type of Area: Proposed downhill skiing areas.
Dates of Operation: Studied in 1982 and 1985, but never built.
Who Built It?: Never built.
Elevations:

Unknown.
Facilities: None.
History: In 1982 the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, commissioned a study which produced the document: "Analysis of Ski Potential in the Fairbanks Area".  This study analyzed the existing ski areas (whether or not they were currently in operation) in the Fairbanks area: Cleary Summit, Ski Land, Chena Hot Springs, Ski Boot Hill, Murphy Dome and Ester Dome (Ullrhaven).

This document also analyzed two new sites for potential ski area development: Wickersham Dome and Chena Sunny Site (a site to the north of the Chena Hot Springs Road just before Chena Hot Springs).  Information from this document on these two proposed ski sites is presented below.

In 1985 a University of Alaska - Fairbanks Regional Planning Practicum produced a document called: 'An Evaluation of Alpine Ski Potential in the Fairbanks Area'.  This study analyzed the potential alpine skiing sites of Chena Sunny Site, Haystack Mountain, Ester Dome, Bedrock Creek, Angel Creek, Angel Rocks and a Ski Boot Hill expansion.
Sources of Information:

Bruce Talbot, State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources

~  DOCUMENTS  ~

"An Evaluation of Alpine Ski Potential in the Fairbanks Area"
1985

(Click on any page to expand it to readable size)
Title page Map of potential sites List of potential sites Table of preferred sites
Angel Creek Angel Rocks
Bedrock Creek Chena Sunny
Ester Dome Haystack Mountain
   
  Ski Boot Hill  

 

"Analysis of Ski Potential in the Fairbanks Area"
1982
Wickersham Dome was analyzed for ski area possibilities ... but was not given very high marks.
 
 
 
Detailed study and design was done for a site referred to as "Chena Sunny Site".  This area was on the north side of the Chena River Valley, just to the northwest of Chena Hot Springs resort.  (See map below).  
 

~  MAPS  ~

This is the overview map, from the "Analysis of Ski Potential in the Fairbanks Area" study document, of the Chena Sunny Site proposed ski area - just to the northwest of Chena Hot Springs.

(Click on any map to expand it)

 

This topo map shows were Wickersham Dome is located relative to Fairbanks.

(click on this map to expand it)


 

The Chena Sunny Site proposed ski area is depicted on this map.

(click on this map to expand it)

Research Correspondence 

[Roger Evans - 16 October 2005 email excerpt] 

it was around 1980 that i was the pilot that flew paul crews (we raced high school and college together) and beatt von allman (utah ski area consultant)  around wickersham dome and chena hot springs.  they were contracted by the state to find ski sites that the state could reserve for the future.
 

 

 

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