As Partners in Recreation with the US Forest Service, Snowbasin Resort’s Uphill Travel Policy allows access for uphill travelers (i.e. hiking, snowshoeing, skinning, etc.) under certain conditions. Across the country, increasing uphill traffic within ski area boundaries has driven the implementation of uphill policies. While uphill travel within ski area boundaries may seem innocuous, it poses significant safety risks and concerns for uphill and downhill recreationalists, ski area operations and ski area staff. For this reason, uphill travel is not permitted in any fashion at many ski areas. Snowbasin Resort’s policy reflects our commitment to seek a balance between mitigating safety concerns of uphill travel as a recreational use within the downhill ski area/Special Use Permit area with the reasonable needs of operating a sustainable and successful alpine ski area, for which we have been granted a Special Use Permit from the US Forest Service. Snowbasin Resort continues to work closely with the Ogden Ranger District, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest and local organizations, to build awareness and provide public education regarding uphill travel and recreational uses. Our goal is to find a reasonable balance between and among user groups who share a common interest in recreating within the Snowbasin Special Permit area in a non-confrontational and sustainable manner while establishing safety rules for users designed to reduce the hazards and dangers related to such usage.
All uphill travel must follow these rules:
- When traveling uphill, please stay in the middle of the trail
- If you come to a sign that reads “Winch Cat Above This Point”, this ends your ascent. Do not travel around winch cats.
- All uphill travelers must be equipped with lights, front and back when traveling in the dark
- Only stop where you can be seen from above and below
- No dogs are allowed on the mountain
Uphill Travel Status is updated at 4:00am and 4:00pm each day to alert guests if the conditions are green or red.
Snowbasin Resort Mountain Policy – During the Season & During Operating Hours
Uphill travel by the way of foot, snowshoes, trax, or skis is not allowed between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm except on the designated Strawberry route.
Snowbasin Resort Mountain Policy – Pre and Post Season
Safety considerations, maintenance or operational requirements, grooming operations, snowmaking operations, special events, avalanche hazard reduction work, wildlife or resource considerations, or construction, may cause public risk management issues to exist. To protect the public from potential hazards that may exist, prior to the opening of the ski season and post season, the ski area is authorized, with Forest Service pre-approval, to close areas subject to those potential hazards and to post signs at typical uphill access points closing those areas.
Snowbasin Mountain Policy – During the Season & Outside Operating Hours
Outside of operating hours, there may be circumstances in which the ski area may prohibit uphill traffic, or limit or restrict uphill traffic by designating specific times, days or routes that will be available for such use. These circumstances might include safety, maintenance or operational needs; grooming operations; snowmaking operations; special events; avalanche hazard reduction work; wildlife or resource considerations; or other reasons. The ski area is authorized, with Forest Service pre-approval, to perform any or all of these actions as deemed reasonable and necessary by the ski area. There is no ski patrol available outside of normal operating hours. You are responsible for your own safety and rescue. All participants within the permit boundary are considered skiers and are subject to Utah Skier Safety Act. Daily updates of current uphill travel restrictions (RED DAY/GREEN DAY) will be posted within the snowbasin.com mountain report as well as listed on the (801) 620-1100 snow phone.
UPHILL TRAVEL PROTOCOL DURING OPERATING HOURS (SKI AREA OPEN)
During Snowbasin Resort's operating hours (9:00 am - 4:30 pm), the only approved uphill travel route will start at the gate on the Strawberry summer road. The travel route is up the Strawberry summer road to Penny Lane and up Penny Lane to Willow Springs. Then head up Willow Springs to the top of Becker Lift. This is the end of the uphill route during operating hours. From the top of Becker you can ski down any direction. Be aware and stay out of closed areas. Anyone found riding the lifts without a valid ticket will be prosecuted for theft of services. When parking on the highway please be aware of the white fog line on the shoulder and park completely off the highway travel lane to avoid a ticket, collision or being towed by the Sherriff or Highway Patrol. Do not block the Strawberry summer road gate access. No dogs allowed on the mountain. RED DAY/GREEN DAY restrictions apply during operating hours.
UPHILL TRAVEL PROTOCOL BEFORE OR AFTER OPERATING HOURS
RED DAY = No uphill traffic permitted (usually avalanche reduction days).
GREEN DAY = Uphill travel permitted if you abide by the following rules:
- When traveling uphill, please stay in the middle of the trail
- If you come to a sign that reads “Winch Cat Above This Point”, this ends your ascent. Do not travel around winch cats.
- All uphill travelers must be equipped with lights, front and back when traveling in the dark
- Only stop where you can be seen from above and below
- No dogs are allowed on the mountain
Only approved route is up Powder Puff to the bottom of School Hill and then up Snowshoe to Bear Hollow and up Sweet Revenge to the Needles Lodge. Use the same route downhill unless the mountain is open after 9:00 am. All uphill travel must cease by 9:00 am unless you are using the approved Strawberry access uphill route. DO NOT travel uphill on City Hill, Wildcat or Porky areas. Please do not go off the approved route. This is for everyone’s safety.
Yield the right of way and stay clear of ski area machinery, i.e. grooming machines, snowmobiles and snowmaking equipment. You are responsible for your own safety. Expect to always encounter ski area machinery and employees at anytime and anywhere on the mountain. Mountain users should wear reflective clothing, headlamps and blinking lights on front and back. No pets allowed on the mountain. Adhere to Trail/Avalanche Closures. No person except a member of the ski patrol, employee of the Forest Service, Sheriff or ski area operator employee working in the course and scope of his employment shall enter or go upon any closed area. If you pack it in, please pack it out. Help us keep the Forest clean for future users.
