Please reference each resort's uphill policies according to the time of year: preseason, winter season, postseason.
Utah preseason: when the snow begins to fall, stack up and form a base, and the patience of skiers and riders across the state is tested. It can be hard to look at two feet of new snow in the forecast and not be able to ski it. Luckily, while each resort has its own timeline for opening, many of them do allow uphill ski access in the interim. It’s important to know each resort’s uphill policy before embarking on a preseason adventure, and to remember a few important things.
Utah postseason: while not as popular with most, spring can offer some fun snow conditions, timing daytime temperatures if crucial. If you are planning on touring in the postseason, it is at your own risk, taking similar precautions as you would in the preseason.
If you are touring at a ski resort during the preseason or postseason, it is at your own risk. The resort is not open for lift-serviced skiing, meaning they likely do not have ski patrol or other assistance available to help you should an incident occur. Be prepared with a beacon, shovel and probe, as well as a knowledgeable partner, no matter how casual the setting may seem. Check the Utah Avalanche Center's forecast (if they've started for the season when you go). Know the risks. These steps only feel unnecessary until they’re not, and it’s a great time to brush up on your backcountry habits for the rest of the season. Encourage your friends to do the same.
Additionally, know that you are likely skiing on a thin base of snow. The resort is not open yet for a reason, and you're sure to encounter snow-making and potentially snowcats or other equipment while you are on the mountain. Ski and ride with caution, do not interfere with preseason setup and be respectful. It only takes a few seconds for a ski resort to change its uphill policy should it feel it has been taken advantage of or become dangerous.
Each resort has its own policy, and it may change at any time, depending on conditions and operations and whether they are open for the season or not. Just because a resort is listed as allowing uphill travel on this page, does not mean that it is always allowed. While the following is a useful reference, please check each resort’s page to verify the current status of their uphill policy before embarking on your journey.
Resort Uphill Travel Policies
Alta Ski Area
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: NO
Postseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Alta is known for allowing preseason uphill access. However, depending on conditions and preseason operations, they may restrict or not allow uphill access. Be sure to check Alta’s specific uphill travel webpage for details on what their current policy is before heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Beaver Mountain
Preseason uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Beaver Mountain allows uphill travel not only during the pre and post-season but during the season on designated routes, too. Read their full policy on their Mountain Safety page to learn more about winter season routes and what to expect.
Brighton
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Brighton has specific and differing areas in the pre and post-season, as well as during the season, where uphill travel is allowed. They also use a color rating: Red, for areas where uphill travel is never permitted; yellow, for areas where it is only permitted during the pre and post season; and green, for areas that are allowed during the season. These zones, more details, and uphill parking access can be found on Brighton's Uphill Travel Map. Always check the Brighton Conditions Page and click on the “Uphill Policy” tab before heading to the resort to check the color status of their uphill travel for the day.
Cherry Peak
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Cherry Peak allows uphill travel between the hours of 4am–8:30am based on a "Green" or "Red" day rating. This rating is shared daily on their mountain conditions report and can also be accessed by calling their snow phone at 435-200-1234. Check out their full Uphill Policy, here.
Eagle Point
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Uphill travel at Eagle Point is permitted on Big Horn ONLY. This route gives backcountry access which is not regulated by the resort. Check out Eagle Point's Backcountry webpage to view where to park, tour, and descend.
Nordic Valley
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access:YES, with restrictions
This Utah ski resort offers both preseason and winter-season uphill access. Because of this, they have detailed guidelines as to where and when access is allowed, and how. Check their full uphill policy page for full details, including the requirement to “leave only beautiful lines on the mountain.” Bonus: dogs are allowed during non-operational hours!
Park City Mountain
Preseason uphill access: NO
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: NO
While it doesn't allow preseason or postseason access, Park City Mountain Resort does allow uphill access during the winter season, before and after operational hours, from 6pm–8:30am. There are restrictions as well as set, designated routes, so be sure to check out their full policy, here. A great new feature available, you can now text "UPHILL" to 435-244-7169 to receive up-to-date information and real-time safety updates.
Powder Mountain
Preseason uphill access: NO
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Postseason uphill access: NO
During the winter season, they have select routes that are approved and still require a lift ticket to be on their terrain. Learn more about their designated winter routes and full uphill policies more, here.
Snowbasin Resort
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, on designated routes
Posteason uphill access: TBA
You’ll want to check Snowbasin’s conditions page before heading there to tour. The mountain has extensive guidelines on where and when uphill access is allowed, both before the mountain opens and during. Similar to Brighton, Snowbasin uses a rating system of red, yellow and green, that determines which terrain is available based on conditions. You can check the current status of these ratings on their conditions page. You will also need to sign a waiver for an uphill pass (it’s free!). Finally, check out Snowbasin's Uphill Policy page for a map of available trails for uphill use and hours.
Snowbird
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: NO
Postseason uphill access: TBA
Snowbird will allow uphill access both pre and post season, depending on operations and conditions. When allowed, details can be found on Snowbird’s Mountain Report or under their Mountain Safety guidelines, which will share permitted areas and restrictions.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Preseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Winter season uphill access: YES, with restrictions
Postseason uphill access: YES, with restrictions
During the preseason, Solitude may allow for uphill travel before they start getting ready to open, but once they begin to set up (running cats, snowmaking, setting up fencing, etc.), they close it. During the winter, uphill access is allowed from 4:30pm or 5:30pm (depending on the day)–10pm. Be sure to check Solitude’s Uphill Access page before heading up both during the preseason and winter season—it lists at the top of the page whether or not uphill travel is allowed, followed by their winter season uphill policy.
