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Cottonwood Heights Journal

Ski & Snowboard News / Can I snowshoe uphill at a resort?

Feb 12, 2016 03:05PM ● By Harriet Wallis

Brighton's uphill light / photo: Harriet Wallis

Athletes want to know: Can I snowshoe or skin uphill at my favorite resort? The answer is sometimes murky. Uphill traffic can be a danger to skiers and boarders who are heading downhill not expecting to encounter someone plodding or skinning uphill.

Each resort has its own policy. Some allow it. Some allow it under certain conditions. Some resorts prohibit uphill traffic altogether while the resort is open.

Brighton installed a traffic light high on Brighton Center Lodge, the main base lodge. The light is easy to see from the parking lot and the message is clear. Red light means no uphill traffic today. Green light means it's okay. Most days are green light days.

The skinners I've encountered at Brighton stay well to the side of the trail. But at another resort I nearly ran into -- literally nearly ran into -- a gaggle of snowshoers who were giddily plodding up the center of a ski trail with no clue that they were a hazard.

Here's a synopsis of uphill policies.

Alta

No uphill traffic allowed during operating dates.  Allowed pre and post season except when marked by sign at the base.

Brighton

Uphill travel is allowed with restrictions.  Go to Brighton's policy page for details.

Canyons

 

Uphill travel is prohibited during the resort’s operating hours within the ski area boundary.  During non-operating hours uphill routes within the ski area boundary are closed to uphill traffic due to hazardous conditions that typically exist. http://www.canyonsresort.com/mountain/safety.aspx#/UphillTravel

Deer Valley

 

The following activities, SLEDDING, UPHILL TRAVEL, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, SNOWMOBILING, AND HIKING ARE NOT PERMITTED AT DEER VALLEY AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT DURING THE SKI SEASON.  http://www.deervalley.com/WhatToDo/Winter/SafetyPage

Nordic Valley

Uphill allowed on set runs with uphill pass

Powder Mountain

Uphill travel is not permitted on any of the primary groomed terrain.  It is however permitted in the “hike to” areas of Raintree and Lightning Ridge.  There is also terrain specifically designated for backcountry skiing in the Wolf Creek Drainage area, please see the website www.powdermountain.com for details.

Snowbasin

 

Uphill travel is allowed subject to certain restrictions.  Please visit https://www.snowbasin.com/the-mountain/mountain-safety/ for details.

Snowbird

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowbird does not allow unauthorized uphill travel during winter or spring operations. Call the Snowbird Activity Center for more information at (801) 933-2137.  

Due to an increase in uphill hiking, skinning and biking, Snowbird is implementing a new uphill travel policy effective February 1, 2015. Skinning, splitboarding and biking are not allowed at Snowbird during winter and spring operating seasons. Unauthorized uphill travel also includes hiking without a Snowbird guide. To arrange a Snowbird guide for uphill hiking call the Snowbird Activity Center at (801) 933-2147 at least 24 hours in advance. Hiking without a Snowbird guide is not permitted during winter and spring operating hours.

Solitude

 

Solitude Mountain Resort does not allow unauthorized uphill travel within the Special Use Permit Area that is within the resort area boundary at any time. 

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