Uphill Travel Policy

Through this policy, the following standard definitions apply:
“Ski Area Operations” means any period during which Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. is conducting or supporting mountain operations, including grooming, avalanche mitigation, lift operations, maintenance, construction, or other operational activities, whether or not the ski area is open to the public.
“Ski Area Boundary” as displayed on the current season trail map, applicable during Ski Area Operations.
“Operating Hours” shall mean the time period within Ski Area Operations during which Mt. Baker Ski Area is actively open for public access to chairlifts and for downhill skiing and snowboarding within the Ski Area Boundary.
“Uphill Travel” shall define traveling or accessing terrain, including traveling on skis, snowboards, snowshoes, foot, or other equipment, whether by following a designated uphill route or otherwise, regardless of whether the participant intends to descend the same route or continue to another area.

Important Uphill Travel Notice

Before accessing Mt. Baker Ski Area for Uphill Travel, you are responsible for confirming whether Uphill Travel is closed, restricted, or limited to designated routes, see Designated Routes, Times, and Areas for additional information. You must obey all posted signs, closures, route designations, warnings, and instructions from Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. personnel.

Do not access the ski area for Uphill Travel unless you understand and accept the risks, hazards, dangers, and responsibilities described in this policy.

Uphill Travel is entirely at your own risk. The absence of a restriction or closure does not mean that Uphill Travel is safe. Terrain may be unpatrolled, unmaintained, unmarked, uninspected, uncontrolled, or unevaluated, and Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. does not guarantee your safety.

Designated Routes, Times, and Areas

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. may close, restrict, suspend, or modify Uphill Travel at any time, with or without advance notice, for any reason, including mountain operations, avalanche mitigation, grooming, lift maintenance, construction, maintenance, special events, or other operational safety needs within the Ski Area Boundary.

UPHILL TRAVEL IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THE SKI AREA BOUNDARY FROM 5PM
TO 9AM through Ski Area Operations, due to heightened risks associated with variable and sometimes unpredictable heavy-equipment operations, including grooming and snowcat operations, as well as avalanche mitigation and other special projects.

During Operating Hours, unless otherwise closed or restricted, Uphill Travel within the Ski Area Boundary is permitted only on designated uphill routes and in accordance with all posted signs, route maps, closures, restrictions, and instructions from Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. personnel.

From the White Salmon Base Area, the designated route runs from the White Salmon parking lot along the Shuksan side of the building, out the 7/8 Road, and ends before the base of Chair 8. Any Uphill Travel beyond this point shall be outside the Ski Area Boundary.

From the Heather Meadows Base Area, all Uphill Travel shall be outside the Ski Area Boundary. Designated uphill routes may change at any time and may be modified, shortened, extended, delayed, or closed based on operations, weather, snow conditions, grooming, avalanche hazard, or other circumstances.

Outside of Operating Hours, all areas within the Mt. Baker Ski Area Boundary, including but not limited to trails, lifts, and surrounding terrain may not be patrolled, maintained, or marked, by Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. Emergency response personnel may not be on duty, and emergency response may be delayed, unavailable, or provided only by outside emergency agencies when available. Participants must be prepared for self-rescue.

Risks, Hazards, and Dangers

Uphill Travel is undertaken entirely at the individual’s own risk. Uphill Travel and access to ski area terrain involve inherent and additional risks that may be known or unknown, visible or hidden, marked or unmarked, natural or man-made, expected or unexpected. Some risks cannot be eliminated, controlled, or mitigated by Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc.

Potential hazards include, but are not limited to:
● Downhill skiers, snowboarders, uphill travelers, pedestrians, and other users.
● Snowcats, snowmobiles, grooming equipment, vehicles, heavy machinery, and
other operational equipment.
● Moving or backing equipment, blind spots, limited sight lines, unexpected
equipment movements, snow spray, exhaust, noise, lights, and reduced visibility.
● Equipment, tools, materials, hoses, cables, signs, fencing, padding, and other items placed or stored near trails.
● Unmaintained, ungroomed, unmarked, unpatrolled, uninspected, closed, or restricted terrain.
● Variable, unstable, icy, hard, soft, thin, or otherwise changing snow conditions and exposed ground.
● Avalanches, unstable snowpack, snow slides, sluff, and avalanche mitigation
activities.
● Tree wells, deep snow, snow immersion, and suffocation hazards.
● Trees, rocks, cliffs, stumps, logs, roots, creeks, drainage features, holes, gullies, road cuts, ditches, and other natural terrain features.
● Lift towers, terminals, chairs, cables, buildings, roads, retaining walls, utilities, signs, ropes, fencing, and other man-made objects.
● Construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, snow removal, utility work, and other mountain operations.
● Darkness, low light, fog, snowfall, blowing snow, whiteout conditions, limited visibility, and changing weather.
● Cold, wind, exposure, fatigue, dehydration, and other physical or environmental conditions.
● Collisions with people, equipment, vehicles, fixed objects, or natural objects.
● Limited, delayed, or unavailable emergency response, particularly outside ski area operating hours.

The presence of signs, ropes, fencing, lights, padding, closures, warnings, grooming, patrol, or other safety measures does not eliminate risk or guarantee safety. Their absence does not mean an area is safe, open, maintained, inspected, or free from hazards.

Uphill travelers are responsible for recognizing, avoiding, and responding to risks and hazards at all times.

Uphill Traveler Responsibilities

By accessing terrain within the Mt. Baker Ski Area Boundary, you accept responsibility for your own safety and for the safety of others. You are responsible for:
1. Being aware of your surroundings, location, terrain, changing conditions, other users, equipment, operations, and potential hazards.

2. Educating yourself about the mountain environment, weather, snow and terrain conditions, ski area operations, applicable policies, and the limits of your own knowledge, experience, fitness, skill, and ability.

3. Understanding and following all Mt. Baker Ski Area policies, the Your
Responsibility Code, posted signs, route designations, closures, warnings, verbal instructions, and applicable laws and regulations. Information may be available at the ski area, on trail maps, and at www.mtbaker.us.

4. Using good judgment and common sense and determining whether you have the
appropriate ability, fitness, equipment, and experience for the conditions and activity.

5. Actively assessing and minimizing risks and responding appropriately to
changing conditions and hazards.

6. Acting responsibly and considering how your actions affect guests, employees, contractors, equipment operators, emergency responders, and ski area operations.

In addition, uphill travelers must:
● Confirm before each outing whether Uphill Travel is permitted, which routes are designated, and what restrictions, closures, warnings, or operational activities apply.
● Stay on designated uphill routes and travel single file when required.
● Yield to downhill skiers and riders at all times.
● Yield to all machinery, vehicles, snowcats, snowmobiles, grooming equipment, patrol, maintenance personnel, equipment operators, and other ski area operations.
● Remain visible from above and below; use high-visibility clothing and appropriate lights or reflectors when conditions require.
● Avoid stopping in blind spots, below rolls or knolls, at trail intersections, in narrow areas, near machinery, or anywhere you may not be visible.
● Never block trails, roads, lift access, operational routes, gates, buildings, equipment, maintenance areas, or emergency access.
● Maintain a safe distance from machinery, vehicles, equipment, lift infrastructure, grooming and maintenance operations, and other users.
● Never approach, cross, touch, or travel near grooming equipment, heavy
equipment, or other operational equipment.
● Never enter closed, restricted, roped, fenced, operational, construction, or maintenance areas, or any area where access is prohibited.
● Carry appropriate clothing, equipment, communication devices, lighting,
navigation tools, and emergency supplies for the conditions.
● Immediately leave or avoid any area when directed by personnel, signs,
closures, lights, ropes, fencing, or other warnings.
● Understand that outside ski area daily operating hours, Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. does not provide a guarantee of patrol, maintenance, inspection, hazard
mitigation, or emergency response.
● Be prepared for self-rescue and understand that rescue may be delayed,
unavailable, or dependent on outside emergency agencies.

Failure to follow this policy, posted signs, closures, or instructions from Ski Area personnel may result in removal from the ski area and/or loss of Uphill Travel privileges within the Ski Area Boundary.

Before you go, check the current Mt. Baker Ski Area Uphill Travel status and designated routes at www.mtbaker.us.