Warren, VT – Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort has made significant changes to its uphill travel policy this season. This winter, skiers and riders are permitted to hike or skin before and after operating hours at both of the resort’s ski mountains on designated trails.

Those interested will be required to pick up a free uphill travel pass from Guest Services prior to the first time they skin or hike. The pass will be valid all season. On Saturday, January 11, Sugarbush will host a community forum in the resort’s Castlerock Pub to share the policy with the community, answer any questions about the new policy, and to issue uphill travel passes.

To coincide with the resort’s grooming schedule, both mountains now have specific designated routes for uphill and downhill travel depending on the time of day. At Lincoln Peak, uphill travel is permitted on Easy Rider to Lower Pushover to Pushover to Birch Run between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Racer’s Edge to Lower Snowball to Snowball to the top of the Valley House chair between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Due to plowing, parking for hiking and skinning is provided at Lincoln Peak in the heli lot, located to the right of The Schoolhouse. Hikers and skinners must ski or ride down the same designated routes.

At Mt. Ellen, uphill travel is permitted on Easy Does it to Straight Shot to Cruiser to Lower Rim Run to Rim Run between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Due to plowing parking is provided in the lot next to the Sunny Double lift.

There will be times when uphill travel is closed due to weather conditions. Skinners and hikers are asked to check the Sugarbush snow report before proceeding. Once the resort ceases operation for the winter season, hiking and skinning will be permitted. Those who are looking to boot pack uphill are asked to not hike directly in skinning tracks.

Hiking and skinning during operating hours may still be authorized under special circumstances, including mechanical failure, weather hold, ski school instruction, or special events. A day ticket or season pass is required and is only permitted when specifically authorized by the resort.

For a full description of what to know before skinning or hiking at Sugarbush and to review the rules that skinners and hikers must adhere to, resort officials are asking skiers to visit the winter trail use policy on Sugarbush’s website.