For Current Uphill Access status, always check the Mountain Report.

Why is uphill access managed at Mt. Ashland?  Read this blog from last year about the changes to managed access, or review these FAQs.

NEW: Get uphill-specific text updates from the mountain!  To sign up, text UPHILL to 541-500-0124.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area is excited to offer uphill access for the 2024-25 season.  Uphill Access Pass armbands will be $15 per person for Mt. Ashland 24/25 season pass holders and $45 per person for all other visitors, proceeds of which will be dedicated to mountain safety programs.  All Uphill Access Pass customers must sign an uphill-specific waiver, uphill policy, and the Uphill Access Code of Conduct.  All Uphill Access Passholders must watch the Uphill Access Safety Education video before Uphill Access Pass armbands can be picked up beginning in late November.  Armbands will not be mailed.  Uphill Access Passes are for sale now; link is at the bottom of this page.

The following policy was revised on 8/27/2024.  It is subject to change at any time.

Please Read Carefully

Our aim for this program is to provide excellent service to two distinct groups: 1) beginner touring skiers who want to learn the skills in a more familiar environment and 2) endurance athletes who want to get a fun winter workout in the great outdoors.

Skiers and snowboarders looking for a backcountry experience may park in the back parking lot to access National Forest terrain via the back gate; skiing in these areas does not require a Mt. Ashland Uphill Access Pass at any time and is not subject to designated routes and hours.  Do not climb the out-of-bounds areas to the summit and cross into the ski area boundary unless descending as permitted in the following policy.

For the safety of our employees and guests, uphill travel rules are in effect anytime there is snow on the mountain to turn on.  The regulations govern which routes you can take to the summit and when.  We work closely with the U.S. Forest Service to craft our uphill policy, and it’s supported by the Mt. Ashland Special Use Permit and Operating Plan.

These rules are about safety.  Limiting uphill travel to specified routes and times allows our team to conduct important ski area projects and routine maintenance.  It also reduces the likelihood of severe accidents on our slopes- collisions between uphill and downhill skiers, as well as encounters with grooming equipment.  The uphill policy is designed to protect you, your fellow guests, and our employees.  This management of uphill access ensures that the Mt. Ashland Ski Area can operate for the purpose as specified in its USFS Special Use Permit.

The only forms of authorized uphill travel are skinning or snowshoeing.  The only forms of authorized downhill travel are skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing.  Sleds, fat bikes, snow bikes, and other devices or pedestrian access are not permitted at any time.  Please read this guide to understand the policy, know the approved routes up and down the mountain and when they are open, and safely enjoy your trek up the hill!

Parking for Uphill access: At all times, uphill users must park along the downhill bank of the main parking lot.  This is the area facing Mt. Shasta, opposite the ski trails.

Pre-Season Uphill Access:

• Uphill access in the weeks before the ski area opens will depend on weather and mountain preparations. Details on this schedule and routes will be available on this webpage.
• An Uphill Access Pass armband is not required during the pre-season designated hours.
• During pre-season access, designated routes or prohibited areas may exist. Be sure to check this webpage before heading to the mountain.

UPHILL ACCESS OVERVIEW

1.  IN SEASON, AN UPHILL ACCESS PASS ARMBAND IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE MOUNTAIN & MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES

All Uphill Access users must watch the Uphill Access Safety Education video before picking up their Uphill Access Pass armband.  Users must electronically sign the policy, waiver, and code of conduct.  Uphill Access Pass armbands can be picked up beginning in late November.  This armband must be visible at all times and is required for access starting on the first day the ski area opens for the winter season.

2.  HOURS OF ACCESS & DESIGNATED ROUTES

Uphill access may be unavailable with little notice as needed to maintain mountain operations or public safety.  All or portions of terrain described below may be closed.  Always check the Uphill Access Information Board before entering the ski area.

On Operating Days:

On days that the ski area is open:

Uphill access is available from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with an Uphill Access Pass armband. All users must be off the trails by 8:30 a.m.; it is the Uphill Access Passholder’s responsibility to account for travel time climbing out of the base area. “Off the trails” means either in the parking lot or lodge area or in the maze for Comer or Windsor.

Uphill routes are only Rodger’s Way, Caliban, Dream, Lupine, Aisle One, and Aisle Two.
The Falstaff Route is not permitted.

Downhill routes are only Rodger’s Way, Caliban, Dream, Pistol, Lupine, Poma, Aisle One, and Aisle Two.
All other terrain, including the Bowl is closed.

**The map below highlights green trails open for uphill and downhill travel at designated times on operating days.  In season, an Uphill Access Pass armband is required.

 

On Closed Days:

On non-holiday weeks, uphill access will be available:
6:00 pm Monday night – 8:30 am Tuesday morning
6:00 pm Tuesday night – 8:30 am Wednesday morning

Depending on mountain operations, additional uphill access may be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Availability will be posted on this page and communicated via the text messaging system listed at the top of this page. Access on these days is highly variable and should not be assumed. Access during these times may include designated routes or hours.

The Bowl is always closed for skiing and snowboarding during hours that lift-service is not available.

**The Map below highlights in red the areas that are not open at any time for uphill access and that are not open for skiing/snowboarding during hours that lift service is not available.

 

During Operating Hours:

Uphill access is open to those with an Uphill Access Pass armband via a designated route we have dubbed “The Void” along the southeast boundary at the skier’s right of Ado; this route ends at the Balcony Rock and may not access higher on Balcony.  This is a technical route and is subject to low snow conditions.  Any terrain in “The Void” can be used for an uphill route.

This is the only uphill route open during operating hours.

Uphill Access Passholders with armbands may descend any route from this location but must travel back to the parking lot unless they have a lift ticket for the day—there is no in-bounds uphill route out of the lift base during operating hours.

**The Map below highlights in green the only area open for uphill access with an Uphill Access Pass armband during operating hours (The Void).

 

Example of Access Hours During a Standard Week In-Season: (always check actual status on Mountain Report and this page)

• Sunday: 5:30-8:30 am (designated uphill/downhill routes)
• Monday: 6:00 pm-8:30 am Tuesday morning
• Tuesday: 6:00 pm-8:30 am Wednesday morning
• Thursday: 5:30-8:30 am (designated uphill/downhill routes)
• Friday: 5:30-8:30 am (designated uphill/downhill routes)
• Saturday: 5:30-8:30 am (designated uphill/downhill routes)

 3.  UPHILL ACCESS RESPONSIBILITY CODE:

• The Uphill Access Armband must be visible at all times, and participants must carry their photo ID. Those without an armband will be told to turn around.
• Travel uphill or downhill on designated routes. Only enter the ski area during designated times.
• Only two people side-by-side across the fall line.
• Two lights must be worn and turned on between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. One must be a headlamp, and the other must be a flashing rear-facing light (a dual headlamp is acceptable). The wearer must also wear reflective clothing.
• Stay entirely to the edge of ski trails while traveling uphill. Do not hike or stand in the middle of a ski trail, and do not transition in the middle of a ski trail.
• Observe posted signs, warnings, and trail closures.
• Look uphill, yield to and avoid all downhill skiers.
• Yield to and avoid all ski area machinery. Vehicles always have the right-of-way; move into the trees, if necessary, to stay 100 feet from vehicles and equipment at all times.  Use your light to signal vehicle drivers; your responsibility is to be seen.
• Dogs are not permitted. Dogs are prohibited from being outside ski area parking lots.
• It is prohibited to carry children in backpacks uphill and downhill.
• All users are strongly encouraged to carry a beacon, shovel, and probe and never to travel alone.
• When the ski area is closed, the Bowl and all terrain park features are closed. Don’t ski in closed areas; they’re closed for a reason.

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area permits uphill access per certain policies, rules, and guidelines as forth herein.  Please read our uphill access policy carefully, as our guidelines are subject to change from time to time.  Uphill access with an Uphill Access Pass armband (or without a Pass pre-season) grants a user the ability to access terrain that is not managed, not patrolled, and not mitigated for safety.  The ski area provides no services to this terrain, and anyone needing assistance should call 911.

Uphill access is a privilege, not a right.  When traveling uphill or downhill, the observance of the Duties of Skiers under the Oregon Skier Safety Act and Your Responsibility Code as adopted by Mt. Ashland is required.  Recreating on unmanaged and unpatrolled terrain, with active vehicle and equipment worksites, is at your own risk; Mt. Ashland is not liable for any injury or damage sustained by users during access to any area within the ski area boundary.  We thank users in advance for cooperating with this policy and our rules and guidelines.

Failure to comply with any aspect of this policy, including requests of ski patrol or other mountain personnel, may result in suspension or loss of ski/ride privileges.

Purchase your Uphill Access Pass:

• $15 for Mt. Ashland Season Passholders
• $45 for All Other Visitors