Uphill Access Policy

Throughout the 2024/25 ski season, we’ve greatly valued the thoughtful feedback we’ve received from community members about the uphill program at CBMR, and we’re excited to provide even more access. Thanks to the valuable input from our community and excellent compliance with existing policies, uphill access will be extended beyond the resort’s operating season. The route will be closed April 7-9 so operations teams can begin post-season maintenance work, and beginning Thursday, April 10, our standard uphill route will re-open to the top of Upper Park.

Please note that grooming and maintenance of this route will not persist beyond the operating season. Patrol is unavailable, and uphill travelers will need to contact emergency services for assistance.

Post-Season Uphill Policies

• Snowmobiles, snow cats, winch cat cable, snowmaking hoses and other equipment may be encountered at any time; the uphill user assumes all risks
• Headlamps are required before sunrise and after sunset
• For the safety of pets and due to ongoing snow removal operations, dogs are not permitted on the uphill route
• Please follow the in-season uphill route
• The post-season uphill route ends at the top of Upper Park. Please do not proceed beyond this point
• Resort road maintenance will be taking place above Upper Park, resulting in large road cuts. Be aware that hazards such as these, both natural and man-made, may be present on the uphill route
• The post-season descent route is the same as the in-season descent route. Please do not ski other areas of the mountain
• Uphill access will end for the season on May 1, 2025, conditions permitting

Your support and commitment to the program’s guidelines help ensure that uphill access remains a valued part of the CBMR experience for seasons to come. Over the course of the 2024/25 season, CBMR leadership has deeply valued community conversations and feedback that have strengthened the relationship between the resort and our passionate uphillers. As leadership continues to manage this program, they're hopeful to continue to work with the community to create policies that positively develop this program for future seasons. 

Please continue to call the uphill access hotline at 970-349-2345 before you plan to access the mountain as access status may change. We truly appreciate your cooperation with resort policies and enthusiasm for skinning the resort. Enjoy earning your turns at CBMR this off-season!

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (“CBMR”) and the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) encourage use of public lands. Users should be aware that the public lands comprising Crested Butte ski area are under permit to CBMR by the USFS. While enjoying these permitted lands, users must abide by CBMR and USFS safety policies, restrictions and recommendations.

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UPHILL ACCESS HOTLINE: 970-349-2345. PLEASE CALL THIS HOTLINE NUMBER TO DETERMINE IF UPHILL ACCESS IS OPEN OR CLOSED. WHEN OPEN, UPHILL TRAVEL MAY BEGIN AT 4:30 PM AND MUST CEASE BY 8:45 AM. UPHILL ACCESS MAY CLOSE DUE TO WEATHER, AVALANCHE CONTROL, OR OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS.

General

• All uphill users are required to adhere to and obey all posted information and to be aware of trail closures and other operational considerations. Be especially aware of other skiers and riders approaching from above or below when on-mountain. Snowmobiles, snow cats, winch cat cable, snowmaking hoses and other equipment may be encountered at any time; the uphill user assumes all risks.
• Use of all Terrain Parks is prohibited outside of normal operating hours.
• Before and after daylight hours, reflective clothing is recommended.
• Headlamps are required to be turned on while on the mountain after 4:30 p.m. and before 8:45 a.m. During these times, stay in the center of the trail for best visibility.
• Climbing during operating hours with snowshoes, skis, snowboards, fat bikes  is prohibited.
• Uphill access will only be permitted during winter operating dates.

Permitted Hours

• All Uphill travel may begin at 4:30 p.m. and must cease by 8:45 a.m. during the entire operating season
• Pre-season access is not allowed due to snowmaking and grooming operations.
• Post-season access is open from April 10 - May 1

Pets

• Pets are not allowed on mountain at any time.
• This allows for increased safety, especially outside of normal resort operating hours when snowmobiles and snowcats are present to prepare and maintain the mountain.

Designated Routes (View Uphill Map)

Stay on designated uphill routes at all times.

Uphill Skinning Route and Descending Route (both are the same)

• When the upper mountain is open, the uphill skinning route is Warming House Hill > Lower Keystone > Upper Park > Yellow Brick Road > Paradise Bowl.
• During early season, until the upper mountain is open down to Upper Park, do not proceed uphill past the junction of Peanut and Lower Keystone. A sign will indicate this specific area.
• NO UPHILL ACCESS IS PERMITTED BEYOND PARADISE BOWL, including Silver Queen Road and Windy Gap.
• After 4:30 p.m. and before 8:45 a.m., downhill travel is restricted to Paradise Bowl > Yellow Brick Road > Upper Park > Lower Keystone > Warming House Hill. This allows for increased safety when snowmobiles and snowcats are present outside of operation hours to prepare and maintain the mountain.

• Fat Biking is only allowed before and after lift operations; before 9 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m.
• Warming House Hill > Lower Keystone > Houston. Once you come to Bubba’s Skiway, please return to base area via Houston > Lower Keystone > Warming House Hill.

Avalanche Danger and Explosives

• Avalanche danger may exist at any time along many of the uphill routes. Following ANY amount of new snow, or wind, the Ski Patrol may be conducting avalanche control work, including the use of explosives.
• NO UPHILL ACCESS IS PERMITTED WHEN THE SKI PATROL IS CONDUCTING EARLY-MORNING AVALANCHE CONTROL WORK. Red lights will be deployed at the base of Red Lady Express and Silver Queen Express to alert uphill users of this closure.

Hazards

Participants must also beware of and avoid mountain hazards. These include, but are not limited to:

• Snowmaking hoses – Danger, high pressure! Do not ski over hoses!
• Snowmaking hydrants – Do not fall in open sites!
• Snowmobiles – Make yourself highly visible to avoid collisions!
• Grooming Operations – Give groomers a wide berth and make yourself visible to operators, do not assume they see you!
• Winch Cat grooming operations – Dangerous cable! Under no circumstances may anyone access any area within the Resort where winch cat operations are taking place. Such work will involve cables stretched tightly across the terrain and is very dangerous. Skiing into them could result in serious injury or death. Respect strobe lights and signage.
• Other hazardous areas, operations or conditions may exist on-mountain.