uphill access

EARLY SEASON status: closed UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

All routes are closed until further notice. There is active snowmaking and snowcats working across the mountain, which can create life-threatening hazards for uphill travelers. For your own safety as well as the safety and well-being of our team, please obey the rules and do not travel uphill until we officially open uphill travel routes for the winter season

ABOUT

DESCENDING

For safety, if you descend prior to lift operating hours, you must ski/snowboard down the same uphill route you traveled.

DOGS

Sorry, pets are not permitted on any uphill access route.

EQUIPMENT

Only skinning and touring are allowed on alpine trails, sorry, no foot traffic is permitted. For Nordic and backcountry terrain, only snowshoeing, skinning, and touring are permitted. No boot-packing is permitted.

POWDER DAY RULES

Uphill travel is permitted on powder days (6" or greater overnight). However, descending is not permitted until lifts open (9am weekdays/ 8am weekends & holidays). 

SKI PATROL

Ski Patrol is only available when the ski area is open. Ski Patrol is on duty every day during posted operating hours. If an emergency occurs during lift serviced hours, please call 603-254-3396. Should an emergency occur before or after normal operating hours, call 911. For your safety, always carry a fully charged cell phone. Participants should always know and be able to articulate your specific location should an emergency occur. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life. 

TICKETS/PASSES

Uphill access is permitted to anyone who purchases an Uphill Trail Pass or an Uphill New England Pass and signs a liability release.

UPHILL ROUTES & hours

Uphill access is limited to the following routes and hours: 

ALPINE SKI RESORT UPHILL ROUTES

Green Peak Route- (Green ascent) 
OPEN DAILY
9AM-4PM MIDWEEK | 8AM-4PM WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS

Leroy’s Loop → Bourbon street → Stillness → South Street → Chandler’s way 


Oblivion Route – (Blue ascent) 
OPEN SUNDAY - FRIDAY, NON-HOLIDAY (CLOSED SATURDAYS & HOLIDAY PERIODS)
7AM-10AM

*Valley Run → Upper Valley Run → Oblivion 


High Country Route - (Green ascent) 
OPEN DAILY
9AM-4PM MIDWEEK | 8AM-4PM WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS

Mainstreet → Ruthie’s Run → Tree line 


NORDIC/BACKCOUNTRY

Tecumseh Trail - (Black Ascent)

Uphill pass is NOT required for ascents. You can ascend Tecumseh Trail and Sosman Trail at anytime. PLEASE DO NOT DESCEND HIKING PATHS. An Uphill Trail Pass IS required for descents.  Descents are only allowed during Waterville Valley Resort ski area operating hours.

National Forest Service Tecumseh Trail → Sosman Trail

Snow’s Mountain
Uphill Trail Pass / Uphill New England Pass OR Nordic Trail Pass required
OPEN DAILY
8:30AM-4PM

(Green Ascent)- Livermore Road → Upper Snow’s Mountain Trail

(Blue Ascent) Lower Snow’s Mountain Trail → Upper Snow’s Mountain Trail

(Black Ascent) Lower Snow’s Mountain Trail → Swazeytown → Beanbender

NOTE: If you choose to descend Snow’s Mountain’s trails, please be aware that these trails are NOT maintained or groomed. Ski and ride at your own risk.

UPHILL NEW ENGLAND PASS

The Uphill New England multi-mountain uphill membership pass provides access to 12+ ski resorts across MA, VT, NH, and ME with a single purchase. Uphill New England provides an access pass armband, streamlined set of waivers, and mobile app. The app enables digital check-in at each resort, the ability for the user to track their vertical throughout the season, and special access to ski resort promotions. Join our community of uphillers and help us ensure uphill access in New England!

How it Works

Step 1: Purchase Uphill New England multi-mountain uphill pass by clicking the button below.

Step 2: Digitally sign all mountain liability waivers sent via DocuSign.

Step 3: Download the Uphill New England mobile app.

Step 4: Digitally check-in via mobile app.

INCLUDED MOUNTAINS

  • Berkshire East

  • Big Moose Mountain

  • Black Mountain of Maine

  • Bolton Valley (3 days)

  • Bromley

  • Dartmouth Skiway

  • Middlebury Snow Bowl

  • Mt. Abram Ski Resort

  • Saddleback Maine

  • Tenney Mountain

  • Waterville Valley Resort

  • Whaleback Mountain

FAQs

 

  • The Uphill Traill Pass was created with a focus on safety, education, and shared responsibility. Ascending trails before/during operational hours can be incredibly dangerous, for both guests and resort staff. With an Uphill Trail Pass, you will have access to Waterville Valley Resort’s Uphill Community, which provides educational resources, updates on current conditions, uphill route information, exclusive events, and group outings. The Uphill Trail Pass is valid for the entire season, so you’ll have plenty of time to learn about the safety, risks, and equipment involved. Once properly educated and prepared, you can go uphill as much as you want! You’ll also get a whole season to immerse yourself in Waterville Valley Resort’s Uphill Community.

  • The Uphill Trail Pass is valid for the season. Once you purchase your pass, you must pickup a reflective armband from the Adventure Center, which will act as your season pass. Reflective bands must be worn and visible at all times while traveling uphill.

  • We do not offer Uphill Day Passes. Instead, you can purchase a Nordic Trail Pass, which will give you access to Snow’s Mountain Uphill Route.

  • Only skinning and touring are allowed on alpine trails, foot traffic is not permitted. For Nordic and backcountry terrain, only snowshoeing, skinning, and touring are permitted.

  • No, Uphill travel is permitted only on the designated Uphill Routes.

  • For safety, if you descend prior to lift operating hours, you must ski/snowboard down the same uphill route you traveled.

  • Uphill travel is permitted only at designated times.

    • Green Peak Route: Open Daily, 9AM-4PM Midweek | 8AM-4PM Weekend & Holidays

    • Oblivion Route: Open Sunday-Friday (CLOSED Saturdays & Holiday Periods), 7AM-10AM

    • High Country Route: Open Daily, 9AM-4PM Midweek | 8AM-4PM Weekend & Holidays

  • You can pick up your reflective armband from The Adventure Center. Armbands act as season passes. For your safety, please do not attempt to access uphill routes until you have your reflective armband in a location on your body that's visible at all times.

  • The armband can be worn anywhere on your body as long as it's visible at all times.

  • You can find educational resources about uphill safety at The Adventure Center.

  • Ski Patrol is only available when the ski area is open. Ski Patrol is on duty every day during posted operating hours. Should an emergency occur before or after normal operating hours, call 911. For your safety, always carry a fully charged cell phone. Participants should always know and be able to articulate their specific location should an emergency occur. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life.

 

UPHILL RULES

Please read and follow these simple rules to keep uphill touring safe and fun for everybody:

  1. You must possess a valid Waterville Valley Resort Uphill Trail Pass or a valid Uphill New England Pass.

  2. You must sign the Waterville Valley Resort Uphill Trail Pass Release of Liability in order to obtain your pass.

  3. Always be Aware of & Yield to Mountain Operations - Stay off trails that are currently being groomed or have snowmaking equipment in operation. When encountering mountain operations staff and vehicles, please move out of the way, stay visible and collected as a group, and stop any uphill or downhill movement until they pass by.

  4. Be seen - Wear bright colored or reflective gear and display a light when appropriate. This will help mountain operations crew see you and for you to keep track of each other.

  5. Ski in Groups and Have a Plan - Have one plan, and everyone stick to it. Skiing together help you keep track of each other on the way down and will help our staff to see you. Share your plan to someone outside of your party and communicate with them upon your return.

  6. Grouping - While we encourage grouping, during operating hours, we ask that no more than two abreast while ascending the mountain. During non- operating hours, no more than four abreast while ascending the mountain.

  7. Descending - If you descend prior to lift operating hours, you must ski/snowboard down the same uphill route you traveled.

  8. No Dogs - Dogs are not allowed on the mountain. We love our furry friends, but please leave them at home; dogs pose a safety risk to you, themselves, other guests, and the mountain operations crew.

  9. Use the Right Gear - Only skinning and touring are allowed on alpine trails, foot traffic is NOT permitted. For Nordic and backcountry terrain, ONLY snowshoeing, skinning, and touring are permitted. Respect the skin track and alpine trails please!

  10. No Sledding - Grooming, snowmaking and other mountain operations create hazardous sledding conditions.

  11. No Alternate Routes - Please follow Waterville Valley Resort’s Designated Uphill Routes.

  12. Check Uphill Status - Prior to ascending, please check our Uphill Status, which can be found on our Snow Report.

  13. Heed to Signage - There will be times when uphill routes are closed due to weather conditions, congestion, or other reasons. Do not seek an alternate route - consider the mountain closed to uphill traffic. Please check the Uphill Community Snow Report before proceeding and heed to all posted closings, warnings, and other comments.

  14. Avoid all Snowmaking Equipment - Snowmaking equipment poses serious hazards, especially in the dark. Snow may be wet and heavy and may be inconsistent between guns. Hoses stretch between guns and across skiing terrain. DO NOT ski over any hoses, lines, or equipment. These hoses contain high - pressure water and electricity and any contact with them is extremely dangerous.

  15. Leave No Trace – Please remove all trash and personal items. Leave the mountain environment as you found it or better.

  16. Respect WV Property – Respect the mountain buildings, lifts, and other Waterville Valley structures.

  17. Respect WV Mountain Operations Staff – Respect any WV staff you encounter and consider them as voices of authority. Follow any instructions or warnings they may give.

  18. Ski Area Boundary – New Hampshire Law provides that you are liable for all expenses from search and rescue efforts beyond the ski-area boundary.

  19. Powder Day Rule- Uphill travel is permitted on powder days (6" or greater overnight). However, descending is not permitted until lifts open (9am weekdays/ 8am weekends & holidays). 

WARNING:

SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT, WATER/POWER LINES, SNOWCATS, SNOW MACHINES, MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HAZARDS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME ON THE MOUNTAIN, IN ANY SEASON. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN. ALWAYS DISPLAY A LIGHT AND WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING.

WHEN ENCOUNTERING MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS STAFF AND VEHICLES, PLEASE MOVE OUT OF THE WAY AND STOP ANY UPHILL OR DOWNHILL MOVEMENT UNTIL THEY PASS BY.

PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE MOUNTAIN. NO RESCUE SERVICES OR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT CAN BE EXPECTED OUTSIDE THE CURRENTLY OPEN NORDIC OR LIFT SERVICED TERRAIN.

If an emergency occurs during lift serviced hours, please call 603-254-3396. If there is no response call 911. Ski Patrol is only available when the ski area is open. Ski Patrol is on duty every day during posted operating hours. Should an emergency occur before or after normal operating hours, call 911.

For your safety, always carry a fully charged cell phone. Participants should always know and be able to articulate their specific location should an emergency occur. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life. 

Please respect this beautiful place and enjoy your time on the mountain!

"Uphill"

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