Uphill Access Policy
Policy Overview
- Uphill travel is prohibited during normal daytime operations. Always call the Uphill Access Trail Hotline for schedule and availability: (206) 812-7847
- Check the yellow light on the clock tower. If the light is flashing, we are closed to uphill travel. Traffic volume, special events, avalanche hazards, and other on mountain activities will be considered when restricting uphill travel.
- No emergency services are provided outside of normal operating hours.
- Uphill activities may present a high danger of personal injury.
- Contact the Uphill Access Trail Hotline prior to access.
- Motorized vehicles, snowmaking, and other ski area operations may be encountered and must be avoided.
- User assumes risks and acknowledges that runs are not maintained for uphill travel. Avalanche hazards may exist.
- Motorized uphill travel by guests is always prohibited.
- Due to safety concerns, and in accordance with our Area Operating Plan approved by the Forest Service, Stevens Pass reserves the right to limit uphill travel within the resort boundary at any time. This includes during periods of avalanche control or any time there is an active winch cat operating anywhere in the resort.
- Pets are not allowed on mountain at Stevens Pass. This allows for increased safety, especially outside of normal resort operating hours when snowmobiles and snowcats are present to prepare and maintain the mountain.
- Foot traffic is not permitted at any time within the resort boundary, including the Nordic Center, outside of designated walking areas. On-slope events may have designated walking areas. See Patrol for details.
- The Stevens Pass Nordic Center accommodates uphill traffic by design for skinning, cross-country and snowshoes on appropriately designed trails. A trail pass from Stevens Pass is required to use the Nordic Center trail system.
Additional Information
- Snowshoeing within the Nordic Center is restricted to designated snowshoe trails.
- For a backcountry experience, the Lanham Lake trail is accessible from the Nordic Center parking lot. There is no snow control, Patrol, or trail maintenance provided by Stevens Pass in this area.
- Users are advised to be prepared for winter travel in avalanche terrain. No Stevens Pass trail pass is required for this trail.
- Areas adjacent to the Resort boundary, including the Nordic Center, receive no snow control, Patrol, or trail maintenance from Stevens Pass, and use is at one’s own risk. This includes out of bounds areas accessible from within the Resort boundary.
- The US Forest Service provides guided snowshoe tours to the public during the season. Contact the Skykomish Ranger District for more information.
- All lift conveyances require a valid daily lift ticket or season pass to ride. Uphill traveling skiers/boarders cannot ride a chairlift without a valid ticket or pass.
- Snowshoers are not permitted on the lifts.
- Special events may be granted exceptions to this policy upon consideration by Stevens Pass.
- Please direct any questions regarding this policy to Ski Patrol.
Early Season and Off-Season
Uphill access will not be allowed on trails during mountain preparation, early season snowmaking, or immediately following the close of the resort. The work taking place makes it unsafe for public use.
Non-lift access to ski area facilities, such as uphill snowshoeing, hiking, skinning, or backcountry touring may present a high danger of personal injury to participants or others, and may be limited or forbidden based on conditions, on-mountain activity, and/or Resort policy
Conditions and permission to access backcountry areas vary by resort; please consult the hotline for your information on the resort at hand.
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