Which Colorado ski resorts allow uphill skiing during operating hours?

Several Colorado resorts allow uphill access during operating hours, including Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Eldora, Winter Park, Aspen Snowmass, Telluride, Wolf Creek, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Sunlight Mountain, Echo Mountain, Granby Ranch, Ski Cooper, and Howelsen Hill. Each has specific designated routes and requirements.

How much does an uphill skiing pass cost in Colorado?

Uphill pass costs vary by resort. Many resorts offer free uphill access (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Howelsen Hill, Kendall Mountain). Others charge seasonal fees ranging from $19/day to $119/season. Some resorts include uphill access with season passes.

What are the typical uphill skiing hours at Colorado ski resorts?

Most resorts allow uphill access before lifts open (typically 5-8am) and after they close (usually 4-4:30pm until 8-10pm). Some resorts like Aspen Snowmass offer extended hours from 5am-10:30pm. Always check specific resort policies as schedules vary.

Colorado Ski Resorts Uphill Policy Guide 2025-2026

The uphill lineup

Ranked by ease of uphill access, access hours, uphill pass cost, resort popularity and size.

#1 Winter Park
winterparkresort.com Ikon
Open during lift ops
Schedule
4am-8pm daily. No access 8pm-4am
Cost
$25/season armband
Uphill policy Trail map
#2 Aspen Snowmass
aspensnowmass.com Ikon
Open during lift ops
Schedule
5am-10:30pm daily on all four mountains. Aspen Mtn: summit by 9am. Highlands: Merry-Go-Round by 8:30am
Cost
$74/season (Nov 1 - Apr 30). Free for Premier passholders. $10 goes to Mountain Rescue Aspen
Uphill policy Trail map
#3 Copper Mountain
coppercolorado.com Ikon
Open during lift ops
Schedule
Before/after hours: 5am-8:30am & 4:30pm-10pm. Daytime routes: 9am-3:30pm
Cost
$79/season. Free for Ikon and Copper passholders. $5 armband fee
Uphill policy Trail map
#4 Monarch Mountain
skimonarch.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
6am-9am (Little Mo only), 9am-4pm (5 routes), 4pm-10pm (additional trails). Closed 10pm-6am
Cost
$79/season. Free for Monarch season passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#5 Telluride
tellurideskiresort.com Epic
Open during lift ops
Schedule
8am-10pm daily, Sunshine (Lift 10) Pod only, except Sundance Trail
Cost
Included with mountain access
Uphill policy included on general safety page
Uphill policy Trail map
#6 Arapahoe Basin
arapahoebasin.com Ikon
Open during lift ops
Schedule
To Black Mountain Lodge during operating hours. Summit access before 8:30am or after 4pm
Cost
$119/season ($39 add-on for A-Basin passholders). Free for Ikon passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#7 Ski Cooper
skicooper.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
4pm-8am: Free. 8am-4pm: Requires day/season pass. Must be off mountain by 8:45am
Cost
Free (4pm-8am). During operating hours requires lift ticket or season pass
Uphill policy included on snowsports safety page
Uphill policy Trail map
#8 Eldora Mountain Resort
eldora.com Ikon
Open during lift ops
Schedule
Monday-Friday only. Early access 7am-9am, Daytime 9am-4pm. No weekends
Cost
$99/season. Free for Eldora and Ikon passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#9 Vail
vail.com Epic
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
30 min after lifts close to 15 min before first chair. Call hotline: (970) 754-1023
Cost
Free
Uphill policy Trail map
#10 Breckenridge
breckenridge.com Epic
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Non-lift operating hours only. Call hotline: (970) 547-5627
Cost
Free
Uphill policy Trail map
#11 Steamboat
steamboat.com Ikon
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Before 9am or after 4:30pm only. Must reach summit by 9am or turn around
Cost
$39/season armband required
Uphill policy Trail map
#12 Keystone
keystoneresort.com Epic
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Before and after lift operating hours. Call hotline: (970) 496-4033
Cost
Free
Uphill policy Trail map
#13 Beaver Creek
beavercreek.com Epic
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
30 min after lifts close to 15 min before first chair. Call hotline: (970) 754-5907
Cost
Free
Uphill policy Trail map
#14 Crested Butte
skicb.com Epic
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Before 8:45am and after 4:30pm. Call hotline: (970) 349-2345
Cost
Free
Uphill policy Trail map
#15 Loveland
skiloveland.com Indie
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Before 8am or after 4:30pm only. Route A to top of Ptarmigan Lift
Cost
$50/season. Included with Loveland season pass. 50% donated to Alpine Rescue Team
Uphill policy Trail map
#16 Granby Ranch
granbyranch.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
6am-9am and 4pm-7pm daily. No access on night skiing nights
Cost
$40/season. $20 for homeowners and season passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#17 Echo Mountain
echomtn.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
Weekdays 10am-4:30pm, Weekends 9am-4:30pm. Designated routes only
Cost
$20/day, $50/season add-on, $99/season (non-passholders)
Uphill policy Trail map
#18 Wolf Creek
wolfcreekski.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
9am-4pm on Kelly Boyce to Divide Trail only
Cost
Pass required, purchase at Ticket Office
Uphill info on safety page; uphill permitted on Kelly Boyce to Divide Trail during operating hours
Uphill policy Trail map
#19 Howelsen Hill
steamboatsprings.net Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
During operating hours: Lower Hobo Park XC to Mile Run only. After hours: entire ski area
Cost
Free - No pass required
Uphill policy Trail map
#20 Powderhorn
powderhorn.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
9am-4pm: Dude, Tenderfoot, Red Eye, Greenhorn. 4pm-9am: Bill's Run only
Cost
$19/day, $59/season (+$5 RFID fee). Free for Powderhorn season passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#21 Sunlight Mountain Resort
sunlightmtn.com Indie
Open during lift ops
Schedule
During and after operating hours on designated Green or Orange routes
Cost
$10/day, $50/season. Free for Sunlight season passholders
Uphill policy Trail map
#22 Kendall Mountain
skikendall.com Indie
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Only when lift is not running. Human-powered only, no motorized
Cost
Free
Uphill travel allowed only when lift is not running
Uphill policy Trail map
#23 Silverton Mountain
silvertonmountain.com Indie
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Traditional uphill skinning not permitted. Boot pack hiking after lift access
Cost
N/A - Guided backcountry skiing model
No dedicated uphill policy page; guided/unguided backcountry ski area where uphill travel is via boot pack
Trail map
#24 Purgatory
purgatory.ski Indie
Closed during lift ops
Schedule
Not permitted on resort. Access backcountry via USFS Road 578 (Hermosa Park Road)
Cost
N/A - Uphill access not permitted
Front side uphill not permitted; backcountry access via USFS Road 578 only
Uphill policy Trail map

Uphill UPHILL Ski Colorado

The uphill lineup

Scout the skin track

Uphill Ski Colorado