Hiking Policy

[BushMogulMaster]

Here is the official policy. According to our Special Use Permit from the USFS when the lifts are running one is required to purchase a lift ticket to ski or ride on the mountain. If we have wind hold and patrol is able to station themselves we will allow hiking on open trails. We will take away tickets if anyone skis a closed trail. Trails are closed for a reason and this is done so everyone's safety and our liability. We do not want hiking until we are open because we are working trails, have equipment out there and there are safety hazards if we permit it. So if we see someone hiking through the base area to go up and ski, we have to say something and turn people away.

Thanks for the clarification, Win.

As I said, it all comes down to the Special Use Permit. Win has confirmed that Sugarbush's permit gives them the right to turn people away who have not purchased a ticket, to turn people away preseason, and to make judgment calls on wind hold days. They are the ski area operator, and they can make the calls.

[skigal]

Alll of the previous posts have been specific to hiking with the intention of skiing/riding. What about plain hiking? It was my intention to hike this weekend. Although I would stay away from the snowmaking operations are there other areas of the mountain that can't be hiked do to other maintenance activity?

[BushMogulMaster]

Alll of the previous posts have been specific to hiking with the intention of skiing/riding. What about plain hiking? It was my intention to hike this weekend. Although I would stay away from the snowmaking operations are there other areas of the mountain that can't be hiked do to other maintenance activity?

I'll have to leave the official answering for someone with official word.

But the simple solution would be to hike Mt. Ellen. Nothing going on there, and as far as I know, there's an open hiking policy at ME during the off season.

[Lostone]

I have never run into any negative comments about hiking on the mountain. And I've done it a lot, and have seen and been seen by lots of workers.

I've never heard of anyone not having skis running into trouble, either.

To tell the truth, I've seen tons of people going up with skis and not having any trouble, too. Depends on who sees you, and where.

[Hawk]

Finally a voice of reason. Lostone is right. Those of us who are off the radar have never had a problem because we do our thing quietly and them go. No one has to say anything. If you park in front of Claybrook and march right throught the base they are obligated to say something. Actually asking about policy on this website forces them to say something. It's just going to ruin it for the rest.

Over and out........

[Lostone]

For the record, along with my comment about my hiking, is the fact that my hiking is just that... hiking. I have taken skis up 3 times, and that was a long time ago. Now I'm willing to wait, knowing I'll get my share... unless we have a storm like last October's. I'm still kicking myself for waiting out that one!

People generally like the idea of getting out, enjoying the beauty of the place.

But the 2nd part, and your post about just keeping low key is valid.

I like the don't ask, don't tell of an earlier post.

[SKItheBOAT]

as i started this post i feel i shoud chime in near the end. I did my thing already and will keep it at that. I had no intention of "ruining if for the rest of you" by bringing this issue up. I was merely trying to see if i needed to go "quietly" or march right up at Claybrook. I know how these things work and it amazes me how every resort is so different with their policy. Lets all just hope for some of the real stuff so the lifts will take us to the top legally!?

[win]

Hike all you want! I hiked up to castlerock and across the long trail to Heaven's Gate. Great day to be on the mountain.