Uphill Travel

As part of our continued support for the uphill community, Snowbasin is pleased to expand our offerings again this winter. In addition to our early morning route, a daytime uphill route was added below the base of Strawberry Gondola. It'll be available from 9am to 3pm each day as conditions allow. To participate in uphill travel at Snowbasin, a free access pass is required. This ensures all participants sign the annual waiver, acknowledging they understand the route and policies. 

Uphill Access Passes will be available closer to the winter season. Please check back soon for updates.

Reflective bands are issued to pass holders to display on mountain once they have signed up for the Uphill Access Pass. They must be displayed while participating on your backpack, lights or somewhere clearly visible. Bands may be picked up at the Meadow Yurt during preseason between Friday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Or during resort operations and on Earl's Plaza each morning starting at 5:30am on days that the morning uphill travel status is green or yellow. 

Rules and Guidelines

All uphill users must abide by the following:

• Uphill users are required to have completed the 2023-24 Winter Uphill Access Pass agreement, then pick up their arm band at the Meadow Yurt.
• For the morning route, uphill users must have a light on front and back at all times (white front/red back) and have the appropriate armband issued by Snowbasin visible at all times.
• Uphill travel will be allowed on Green and Yellow days only between 4:00am and 8:30am and during special events for the morning route. The daytime route is allowed on Green days between 9:00am and 3:00pm.
• Use only approved routes and stay the middle of the run; the uphill route is to be used as the downhill route. All uphill travel must cease by 8:30am on the morning route, and 3:00pm on the daytime route.
• The daytime route does not provide access to Snowbasin resort, lifts or lodges. Even if you are a season pass holder, you must turn around at the top of the route.
• Skis, snowboards and snowshoes only.
• “Winch Cat Ahead” sign marks the end of the ascent, DO NOT travel beyond or around a winch cat.
• Users must avoid all types of machinery, including but not limited to snow cats, snowmobiles, snowmaking and pressurized equipment; users must not cross snowmaking lines at any time or interfere in any way with snowmaking or other mountain operations.
• Only stop where visible from above and below; no stopping on crest of steep pitches.
• You may not park on the road for access to any uphill routes. 
• Dogs must be on leash at all times and are not allowed on the mountain outside of uphill travel hours.

The ONLY approved routes start from the Base Area to Needles Lodge or Middle Bowl Express following these trails:

Uphill Status & Approved Routes: Morning Route 4:00am-8:30am

During winter operations, there are three scenarios for the daily uphill status. They are the following and feature the ONLY approved routes:

• Green Day: Access to Needles Lodge through the following routes:
  Powder Puff > School Hill or Snowshoe Road > School Hill > Bear Hollow > Sweet Revenge or Cut off Sweet Revenge to Middle Bowl Traverse > Porky Traverse > Strawberry Traverse

• Yellow Day: Access to the base of Middle Bowl Express through the following route:
  Powder Puff > School Hill or Snowshoe Road > School Hill > Bear Hollow

• Red Day: No uphill access is allowed.

The uphill status will be posted each day on the Conditions Page. You must use the same route downhill, turning around by 8:30am. Please do not go off the approved route, if found off the approved route there will be consequences. This is for everyone’s safety. Please note that this is NOT the daytime route. Continue to scroll down for that route's information. 

PLEASE NOTE: Skier services are not generally available outside of normal resort operating hours. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Uphill Status & Approved Routes: Daytime Route 9am-3pm

There are two scenarios for the daily uphill status on the daytime route. They are the following and feature the ONLY approved routes:

• Green Day: Access near the base of Strawberry Gondola from Trappers Loop. You may not proceed to access any resort facilities or lifts from this route.

• Red Day: No uphill access is allowed.

The uphill status will be posted each day on the Conditions Page. You must use the same route downhill, turning around by 3:00pm. Please do not go off the approved route, if found off the approved route there will be consequences. This is for everyone’s safety.

Full Moon Uphill

Conditions permitting, Snowbasin Resort will allow uphill access between 6:00pm and 8:30am on nights with a full moon. Standard uphill rules and guidelines apply. Please check the uphill status on the conditions page to verify access. For the 2022-23 season, those dates are:

• Wolf Moon: Postponed to Saturday, January 7, 2023 due to snowfall.
• Snow Moon: Postponed to Monday, February 6, 2023 due to snowfall. 
• Worm Moon: March 7, 2023
• Pink Moon: Rescheduled for Friday, April 7, 2023 due to snowfall. Status will be yellow until 4am due to Winch Cat operations on Moose Mound and Fro Zone. It will switch to green after 4am until 8:30am.

Violations

Violations of the following may result in legal prosecution and/or loss of Pass and skiing/snowboarding privileges:

• Skiing/snowboarding too fast, recklessly or beyond your ability; not adhering to Your Responsibility Code.
• Skiing/snowboarding beyond CLOSED AREA or AVALANCHE DANGER signs.
• Not following signs, warnings or instructions, or directions from Ski Patrol or other employees.
• Misconduct on the ski area or Snowbasin property. Abusive or rude language and/or other unacceptable or dangerous behavior.
• Engaging in activities for compensation while on the ski area or Snowbasin property, including but not limited to: ski instruction, guiding and soliciting ski students.
• All uphill users must have a valid day or season lift pass to ride a chairlift or gondola. Failure to have purchased a valid day or season lift pass before loading a chairlift or gondola anywhere at the resort may result in criminal charges in addition to loss or suspension of any and all pass privileges.

Uphill Access Waiver: If you signed up for Uphill Travel Access over the phone, please fill out the Uphill Access Waiver.