Uphill & Off-Hours Access Policy

Uphill and off-hours access is open exclusively to Mt. Ashland Uphill Pass holders. Please remember to check the website, message board, and subscribe to the app push notifications for the latest announcements.

Uphill access by self-powered means of skinning, snowshoeing, and hiking has gained popularity at Mt. Ashland in recent years and we welcome and support individuals seeking to exercise and enjoy the quiet mountain setting during designated hours (see below). To ensure the safety of everyone on the mountain, individuals who choose to skin, snowshoe, or hike must have a valid 2025/26 Mt. Ashland Uphill Access Pass.

Our aim for this program is to provide a recreation opportunity for two distinct groups:

Beginner touring skiers who want to learn the skills in a more familiar environment, and
Endurance athletes who want to get a fun winter workout in the great outdoors.

This program is not designed for those who are looking to ski powder and create a traditional backcountry experience within the ski area. For those individuals, you may park in the back parking lot and access National Forest terrain via the back gate; skiing in those areas does not require any Mt. Ashland pass 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, unless descending as permitted in this policy.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area is excited to offer uphill access for the 2025/26 season.

Uphill Access Pass armbands will be $15 per person for Mt. Ashland 25/26 season pass holders and $45 per person for all other visitors, proceeds of which will be dedicated to mountain safety programs such as Scholarships for Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol certifications.

Uphill Hours & Dates

2025-26 Uphill Season Dates: Opening through closing day of the lift-served ski season. Uphill access is only allowed during this uphill season (Subject to change at any time.)
5:30-8:30am (Uphill users must be back to the parking lot, or in the Windsor maze by 8:30am. Users may not get in line at the Ariel maze)
All uphill access routes will be closed to uphill use during the morning hours on snow days (ie. When there is 3” or more of fresh snow on the mountain).
You are responsible for checking the website for information about whether access is open or not.
Mt. Ashland is not patrolled by medical staff during uphill hours. In case of emergency, dial 911.
Access rules (routes and hours) pertain to both days the ski area is open to the public, as well as days that lifts are not operating.

Messaging & Alerts

Updated Uphill Access information may be obtained on the Mountain Report webpage. Email updates may be sent out to Uphill Pass holders periodically so make sure we have your current email and confirm you are receiving updates.
Two large signs will display the current uphill status: one is on the side of the locker lodge and one is on the snow fence at the parking lot portal. It is your responsibility to check the signs before entering the ski area, everytime you engage in uphill access.
Get smartphone push notifications when uphill access is closed due to snowfall or other reasons and avoid a trip to the mountain. Use the Mt. Ashland app and sign-up for uphill access information.

Uphill & Off-Hours Use Policy

Uphill access is limited to Mt. Ashland Uphill Access Pass holders. Users must display their pass during use. This pass can be purchased on the Mt. Ashland website starting in September, and picked up from the business office starting in November until the season starts. Once the season has started, passes must be picked up at the ski area during an operating day.
You must abide by the Oregon Skier Safety Act.
Check the Mountain Report for updates and closures, and check the uphill signs on the Locker Lodge or parking lot portal every time before uphill use. The mountain or certain routes may be closed to uphill access for snow safety, snowfarming, grooming, race training, or other reason. Respect these closures and turn around if uphill access is closed.
Constantly be on the lookout for snowmobiles, groomers, winch cats, and winch cables.
Do not enter areas where machinery is in use.
The majority of machinery operates after hours. Pay close attention at all times.
Stay at least 100 feet from grooming machines, winch cats, winch cables (whether stationary or moving), or any equipment that is operating.
Stay to the side of the trail. When traveling in groups please proceed in a single file to respect the groomed servies.
Uphill access is only allowed during the defined Uphill Access season (above), conditions permitting.
Use of all Terrain Park features is prohibited outside of normal operating hours. Building of any terrain features is always prohibited.
Headlamp or flashlight is required and must be on at all times (even during daylight) to alert any downhill guests/ski patrollers/personnel of your location. Reflective clothing is preferred.
Dogs are not allowed to accompany uphill access users; no exceptions.
If your presence on the ski area presents a hazard or the ski area staff feels that you are impeding the operations of the mountain, you may be directed to utilize a different location. You must follow such direction or you will be asked to leave the premises and all your Mt. Ashland passes (uphill and lift) may be revoked.
All ungroomed and/or closed trails are closed for uphill use.
Stay on the same designated route both uphill and downhill (ie. Skin up the same route you intend to ski/ride down). Designated routes may be updated daily depending on conditions, grooming equipment, or activities.
While downhill skiing or riding you must follow all of the above guidelines pertaining to trail access/use, out-of-bounds skiing riding, and caution of safety hazards.
Uphill use is not permitted in the mornings on snow days (3” or more fresh snow overnight at the bottom of Ariel, or overnights with 6” or more in the imminent forecast).
Uphill use may be suspended at any time, without notice.
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 and trail kiosk.
Ashland will utilize an app push notification to facilitate communication of Uphill Access closures, changes to hours of operation, and other relevant information. You must download the Mt. Ashland app and sign-up for Uphill Access information.

Hazards

Participants must be aware of and avoid mountain hazards which include but are not limited to:

Snowmobiles- Stay away from snowmobiles, and if you see one, make yourself visible.
Snow Cats/ Grooming Machines- Give Snow Cats a wide berth and make yourself visible to operators. Do not assume they can see you. Do not ski down directly behind grooming machinery in the fresh corduroy.
Winch Cat Operations- Dangerous cable. Winch Snow Cats attach to cables to groom on steep or cross slopes. Such work will involve cables stretched tight across thousands of feet on the terrain and in the snow. This is very dangerous. Under no circumstances may anyone access any area within the ski area where winch cat operations are taking place. Skiing into them can result in serious injury and death. Winch cables are known to move in any direction and can jump multiple feet into the air when in use. Winch cables can be invisible, buried in snow, and have caused fatalities to skiers.
Other hazard areas, operations, or conditions may exist on the mountain including but not limited to the following risks: collisions with other skies or riders, natural and manmade objects, trees, rocks, fences, lift towers, over the snow vehicles such as snowmobilies or grooming equipment, unfinished grooming activity or artifacts, loss of control, variations in terrain and snow conditions, bare spots, bumps, moguls, ice, stumps, forest growth and debris, erosion control devices, terrain park features, walking on the ski area property and parking lots.
Ashland is a mountain environment that requires your alertness, common sense, and caution. Read and obey all signs. Be sure your physical condition permits you to hike, ski, snowboard, skin, or otherwise use ski area facilities. Be aware that high elevation can accentuate existing health problems and concerns.
There is no on-site medical/response before or after hours and assistance may take an increased amount of time to arrive. In case of emergency, call 911.

In Case of Emergency

Please be aware that no ski area services, including Ski Patrol, are available during hours that the ski area is not open for business. Please call 911 in the event of an emergency during non-operational hours. You are responsible for your own safety at all times while within the Special Use Permit Area of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

Uphill Access Overview

THE VOID ZONE:

This zone is open 24 hours. Descent into the Ski Area is only permitted if the ski area is open for lift-service.

Uphill access is open to those with an Uphill Access Pass armband via a designated zone 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. During those times, users 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. When the ski area is closed it is not permitted to ski into the ski area.

**The Map below highlights in green the only area open for uphill access with an Uphill Access Pass armband during operating hours (The Void). The satellite image below shows the zone within the ski area permit that uphill travel is allowed during operating hours (and non-operating hours) by those with an Uphill Access pass. On occasion, a marked skin track may be available.

IN-BOUNDS UPHILL ACCESS:

THIS MEANS ON BOTH OPERATIONAL AND NON-OPERATIONAL (CLOSED DAYS).

These routes are only to be used 5:30am-8:30am.

Uphill and Downhill routes are only Rodger’s Way, Caliban, Dream, Aisle One, and Aisle Two.
The Falstaff Route is not permitted. All other terrain, including, but not limited to, the Bowl and Terrain Parks is closed.

**The map below shows in dotted red trails open for uphill and downhill travel from 5:30am – 8:30am on operating and closed days.

Violations

Uphill Access will be strictly enforced and violations to and/or failure to comply with any aspect of this policy in addition to any requests of Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol or other mountain personnel, will result in:

Uphill Access Pass Revocation for violators
Skiing Privileges Revocation
Trespassing determinations for repeat offenders, those without a Mt. Ashland Ski Area Uphill Access, and/or those violating directions of ski area personnel.