Like all resorts across the ski industry, Smugglers’ has experienced greatly increased demand for uphill access. We’re always happy to see people out enjoying the mountain when it is safe to do so. However, with regard to uphill access, it’s a bit of a love-hate relationship between operations staff and uphill travelers due to the high-risk nature of the work being performed on-hill and the activity created by uphill travel. With equipment in use on trails at any time of day or night, operations staff out on the hill 24/7, and a wide range of weather conditions, safety is a huge concern of ours.
Uphill access will remain closed on each mountain that is open for regular operation until there are at least two ways down that mountain. Uphill access will be open for preseason use on mountains that are not open for lift service, providing that conditions are appropriate and there is no snowmaking or other activity underway on that mountain.
Once uphill access is open, routes available for uphill access, the run back down, and the times they are available will be posted on the Snow Report daily by 4:00 pm for that night and the following morning. It is imperative that you check the report as changing weather conditions can often lead to changes in the grooming schedule, especially for mornings on Sterling. When available, nighttime access will be from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Morse daily and on Madonna from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Nighttime access will be available on Sterling from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Morning access will be from 5:30 am to 7:30 am on Sterling daily. Morning users must be off the hill by 8:00 am. All times are subject to change so remember to check the Snow Report before you go!
We do intend to experiment with allowing uphill access on Lower Chilcoot during operating hours this season once we are 100% open. It will be announced on the Snow Report when available.
The following rules apply to uphill access users:
- Anyone participating in uphill travel, do so at their own risk and assume all liability for their use of the mountain.
- Please be aware that Resort emergency services are not available from 4:45 pm to 8:00 am. Call 911 in case of an emergency.
- Please be aware and respectful of snowmobile and snowcat activity that may be present on the trails during any time period.
- Avoid trails with snowmaking or grooming operations underway. Utilize the routes identified for access on the daily Snow Report. If you do encounter a groomer or snowmobile, please step off the side of the trail until they have passed. This is especially important at night when the operator’s field of vision is constrained.
- Robin’s Run, Freefall, Madonna Liftline (above Link), and all closed trails are off-limits as descent routes at all times.
