Uphill Skiing Access at Colorado Ski Resorts
For those who love to rely on your own human-powered propulsion and eschew crowded chairlifts, several Colorado ski resorts have designated uphill routes you can use to earn your turns!
In general,
- Many resorts require an uphill pass (and a visible armband) to get onto their terrain.
- Most have designated uphill routes where uphill travel is allowed. Please stick to those.
- A number of resorts are very enthusiastic and supportive of uphill travel, allowing access before, during and after operating hours, while others do much less or do not address the topic at all.
- Always check websites or apps before going to the resort, as conditions and open routes may change.
- At all times when you’re at the resort, it is up to you to safe. Please consider off-hours and pre- or post-season at the ski area as backcountry travel. Ski with a partner, and at your own risk. Follow all closures and give grooming, snowmaking and other equipment lots of room. Headlamps are a great way to see and be seen when it’s dark out there!
Here’re more specifics by resort...
ARAPAHOE BASIN
A-Basin resort offers uphill access, before and after operating hours, and when conditions are right during operational hours.
Everyone must have an “uphill access pass” and wear an armband while skiing.
Uphill season passes are $109, or an additional $29 on the 23-24 A-Basin Season Pass.
Always check the weather conditions and terrain status, because uphill access may shut down at any time. (If there’s a red light on at the bottom of the uphill route that’s a signal that it’s closed.)
When the resort is open, uphill access is restricted to the far left edge of High Noon between the Base Area and Black Mountain Lodge. As conditions allow, there’s also a longer uphill route through the trees!
ASPEN SNOWMASS
Aspen Snowmass is proud to be one of the most uphill friendly ski resorts in Colorado.
All four mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass) at Aspen Snowmass welcome uphill travel, but an uphill pass is required.
Except for Aspen Mountain, which doesn’t allow any travel during their hours of operation, the three other mountains allow skinning from 5am to 10:30pm.
All uphill travelers are asked to stay on designated routes.
Check the weather conditions before you go and watch for potential closures. (There’s an Aspen Snowmass App to find out if a route is open or closed.)
Aspen Snowmass offers lessons, clinics and fun events for all levels.
BEAVER CREEK
At Beaver Creek, uphill travel on designated routes for both ascending and descending is allowed 30 minutes after the lifts close until 15 minutes before the first chair.
The resort requests all uphill skiers call the Trails Hotline for conditions and approved travel routes at (970) 754-5907.
BRECKENRIDGE
Breckenridge allows uphill access on Peaks 7, 8 & 9 from 6AM to resort opening only on designated routes up and down. (No pass to ski uphill is required.)
Call the Uphill Access Hotline at 970 547 5627 for routes (limited and subject to change).
Note: there’s a form to be completed on line to obtain an Uphill Access Parking Permit for free parking from 6 AM to resort opening in specified lots.
COPPER
Uphill passes will be on sale soon (but are not available as of November 12.) Uphill registration is required and armbands must be visible while skiing.
Copper provides detailed descriptions, with length and elevation gain, for uphill ski routes. Before and after-hours, travel is allowed on specified routes from 5-8AM and 4:30-10PM.
During daily operations, from 9AM - 3:30PM, there are 6 routes where skinning is allowed.
Trail and lift info for uphill routes will be available online throughout the season. All routes are subject to change at any time, so check before you go.
CRESTED BUTTE
Crested Butte does not require an uphill pass to skin on the mountain for early ups from 4:30PM to 8:45AM during the season. (Pre- and post-season uphill access is not allowed.)
Take a look at the Uphill Map for designated skiing routes.
Bring headlamps and ski in the center of the trails.
ELDORA
Uphill Season Passes and armbands are required to uphill at Eldora.
For those with an Eldora Alpine Season Pass holders and Ikon Pass holders, an Eldora Uphill Pass is FREE. (Pre-register for the uphill pass online).
For those without season passes, an Eldora Uphill Pass is available for $99.
Access usually begins in January during the week (no uphilling on Saturdays or Sundays) on specified routes from 9AM - 4PM. Early access (7-9AM) begins a week after daytime access begins. Check for blackout dates.
Sign up for uphill text alerts for the latest route conditions/access.
GRANBY RANCH
The Uphill Access Policy has not been updated for the 2023/24.
HESPERUS
The Uphill Access Policy has not been updated for the 2023/24.
LOVELAND
The Uphill Access Policy has not been updated for the 2023/24.
MONARCH
Monarch welcomes those who enjoy earning their turns, with very limited restrictions.
Monarch’s Uphill Pass for the 23/24 winter season is $59.
Uphill skiing is allowed 24 hours/day during normal operations, as well as during the pre-season and post-season. (Note, the week before Opening Day is not open to uphill travel.)
When the mountain’s open, there are designated routes for uphill travel, but travel’s not restricted during non-operating hours.
NOTE: Those uphillers arriving prior to 7:30 am are required to park in the area next to the Water Treatment Plant in the lower lot.
Monarch Mountain Uphill Access
POWDERHORN
Uphill skiers need to have an uphill access ticket and/or arm band during operating hours.
The latest pricing information states uphill day tickets are $14, while uphill season passes are $49 (add a $5 RFID card fee). With a regular Powderhorn Season Pass, uphill access is free, but check-in is required.
Before, during and after operating hours, travel is allowed on specified routes only.
SKI COOPER
Ski Cooper has free uphill access from 4PM to 7:30AM (outside of normal lift hours).
A day pass or season pass allows for day access to uphill skiing (within lift hours).
In either case, they have an online waiver to fill out ahead of time.
STEAMBOAT
Steamboat offers skiers Uphill Access prior to 9AM and after 4:30PM daily on designated routes.
‘Armbands for Uphill Access’ are $39 per person and Steamboat donates part of the proceeds to a local non-profit. (An Uphill Access Safety Education video news to be viewed.)
SUNLIGHT
Sunlight Mountain Resort offers uphill travel before, during and after the season.
Sunlight’s Uphill Pass Program requires all skiers traveling up hill on designated routes to have an Uphill Pass - either a regular single day pass or a season pass.
Look for green or orange routes on the trail maps designating where uphill travel is allowed.
TELLURIDE
Uphill access is permitted on ski trails in the Lift 10 “Sunshine” pod, with the exception of Sundance Ski Trail, from 8am to 10pm.
Uphill users are not allowed above the top of the Sunshine lift nor on the rest of the Telluride Ski Resort.
WINTERPARK
For uphill skiing at Winterpark, purchase a season arm band for $25. (Proceeds benefit Grand Country SAR.)
Uphill access will open later in the season as snow coverage improves…stay tuned.
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