At A Glance
Months:
JAN - MAR
Vail Mountain Uphill Access
Experience Vail Mountain beyond the lifts with uphill access that lets you self-propel up the resort’s snowy mountainside to earn your turns. It’s a fun and challenging adventure for experienced skiers and snowboarders with the right equipment. Plus, there’s nothing like the serene feeling of it being just you and the mountain.
Just remember, you’ll be skiing without assistance from ski patrol, so be sure to follow the rules while you’re out. Check out our guide on Vail uphill access for info on how to venture out safely, which runs are available to uphillers, where to get expert training and more.
What Is Uphill Skiing?
Uphill skiing — also known as skinning, alpine touring or ski mountaineering — is an exciting way for avid skiers to add an extra layer of intensity to their favorite winter sport. Instead of hopping on a gondola or chairlift, you trek up the ski run all by yourself — no lift, no snowcat or any other motorized transportation is involved.
It’s a heart-pumping workout to self-propel up a mountain — but the payoff is worth every step: wide-open, crowd-free trails, endless peak-filled panoramas and the unmatched satisfaction of conquering the mountain with your own strength. Resort uphilling after hours isn’t without hazards, but compared with unmanaged backcountry terrain, it offers a more controlled setting and less exposure to avalanche hazards.
Because alpine touring requires specialized equipment and advanced skills, it’s best suited for expert-level skiers and snowboarders ready to take on a more demanding winter adventure along with its risks within the bounds of the ski resort.
Vail Uphill Access Rules & Regulations
- Vail uphill access is prohibited during normal daytime operations.
- You need to plan ahead and call the Uphill Access Trail Hotline (970-754-3049) for availability and before entering the area.
- Be aware of other ski operations and equipment you may encounter and should avoid, including snowmaking and motorized vehicles.
- Ski patrol and other emergency services are not available when the lifts aren’t operating.
- Uphill travel is at your own risk — runs are not maintained for uphill use, and avalanche risks may exist.
- At Vail Mountain, uphill skiing is allowed on select runs, typically 4 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Call the hotline for the most up-to-date hours and which runs are open to uphillers.
- Please leave your pup at home. Dogs are not allowed on the ski trails.
Vail Uphill Access FAQs: Know Before You Go
Do I need an uphill ski pass at Vail Resort?
No, you do not need a ski pass, but you must call the Uphill Access Trail Hotline (970-754-3049) each time you’d like to head out. The hotline provides updates on schedules and available routes, which are subject to change.
When can I go uphill skiing on Vail Mountain?
Depending upon the weather and trail conditions, uphill access is usually available during the regular ski season. Trails are open after the lifts close, usually 4 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Call the hotline for up-to-date ski times.
What runs are open for uphill skiing at Vail Resort?
Uphill routes at Vail Resort can change for a variety of factors, including ski conditions and what work is being done on the mountain. Examples of prior runs available to uphillers include:
- Beginner-level or green circle trails like Swingsville and Upper Lion’s Way with gentler, well-groomed hills and wider spaces for turns; and
- Intermediate-level terrain or blue square trails like Bear Tree, Ramshorn and Lodgepole with steeper slopes and pine glades to navigate around.
Get the most up-to-date trail information by calling the Uphill Access Trail Hotline (970-754-3049), and plan out your trek with a Vail Mountain trail map.
How can I stay safe while going uphill skiing?
- Never go uphill skiing alone.
- Tell people your plans and when you expect to be back.
- Call the Uphill Access Trail Hotline (970-754-3049) for the most up-to-date information before heading out.
- Stay to the side of the trail and position yourself so you are visible from above.
- Increase visibility by wearing brightly colored and reflective clothing.
- Obey all posted signage and respect restricted areas.
- Avoid areas where machinery or ski-area operations are in progress, including motorized vehicles and snowmaking equipment.
- Avalanche mitigation may be in progress; stay clear of these designated zones.
- Remember that emergency services are limited and not available outside normal operating hours.
Do I need special gear for uphill skiing?
Yes, since you’ll be using the same gear to reach the top of the trail and plow through powder, you’ll need specialty equipment, including:
- Hybrid bindings with heels that disengage from the binding for your uphill climb, then clip in for your downhill journey
- Lighter, specialized boots with extra ankle mobility to make your trek easier
- Removable skins to add traction as you propel upward while preventing you from backsliding down the mountain
What to bring for uphill skiing in-bounds at Vail Mountain?
In addition to wearing warm, moisture-wicking layers, you’ll also want to bring:
- A first aid kit
- Your charged cell phone
- Water and/or a thermos of hot liquid
- High-calorie snacks like chocolate, crunchy trail mix or protein bars
- Sunglasses for the way up and low-light or clear goggles for the ski down
- Hand warmers
- A headlamp for your downhill journey along with extra batteries
- Skins, alpine touring boots, skis or splitboard with alpine touring bindings — and alpine rescue gear
- Two pairs of gloves if yours get sweaty on the way up.
- An extra base layer or jacket to change into is a nice treat at the top: You may get toasty uphilling, but it will get cold once you stop and take off your skins.
Forgot something at home? Score high-quality rental gear at local stores.
Where can I get classes or training for uphill skiing in Vail?
At Apex Mountain School, all levels of aspiring uphill skiers can pick up important safety tips. Courses combine in-classroom learning with guided tours where you can practice your skills in Vail’s alpine terrain. Choose from private or small-group sessions with multiple levels of avalanche safety and rescue or ski mountaineering.
For those seeking a taste of uphill skiing, check out Vail Nordic Center’s 90-minute Intro to Alpine Touring clinic. Here, instructors share technique tips and cover gear details around bindings and ski-skin usage. Then, try out skinning for yourself on the center’s groomed, pine-peppered trails.
Already familiar with the basics? Opt for a more challenging learning experience with four-day avalanche safety and rescue courses through Paragon Guides. Sessions include two days learning online and two days demonstrating your new knowledge on the snowy slopes. Longer periods of skiing make this ideal for intermediate-level skiers and above.
