Vermont ski areas are clarifying and updating their policies to prohibit uphill travel after the closing regular operations early for the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This means visitors are no longer allowed to hike their equipment up the mountain and ski down in the absence of the ski lift operations.
With the resorts closed, in addition to no lodge, restaurant or other customer services, there are no ski patrol personnel conducting operations on the mountain, Ski Vermont noted on Thursday. This means necessary emergency response would come from outside agencies already dealing with the current health crisis. Trails at closed ski areas are also not groomed, and as a result may present variable surfaces that could be challenging and potentially hazardous to skiers and riders.
Resorts from Jay’s Peak to Bolton to Stowe have closed their resorts to uphill travel. Mad River Glen and Sugarbush announced the closure of uphill travel Thursday, April 2.
“We have reluctantly made the decision to end uphill travel for the rest of this season at both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, effective immediately,” the resort announced on Thursday. “As we have become two of the last resorts permitting this activity, we are concerned that this will now bring even more people into our community at a time when it is not in anyone’s best interest.”
— Sarah Asch
