Uphill Travel Guide & Best Practices
Skin it to win it
Uphill Travel is only permitted with an Uphill Travel Season Pass or Season Pass purchase.
With our 5-day operating week, uphill travel will be permitted on both operating and non-operating days, provided there is continued respectful and safe coexistence with our mountain ops teams. All uphill travelers must have the intention and equipment to ski or snowboard down the mountain, (no snowshoeing or hiking down).
Uphill Passes are not valid and Uphill Travel is not permitted until Opening Day.
Land Use
We welcome winter uphill travel enthusiasts. In order to help provide an enjoyable and orderly experience for both uphill and downhill guests on a 24/7 basis, all uphill travelers are required to follow resort rules, including the best practices outlined below. Our Uphill Travel Season Pass allows you access to our uphill travel routes and trails all winter, within and outside of operating hours (uphill access is included with the purchase of a Saskadena Six Season Pass).
The Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation and the National Forest Service acknowledge that ski resort operators have the ability to decide and define how ski trails and facilities can be operated, accessed and utilized. The land at Saskadena Six is privately owned.
Uphill Travel
All uphill travel is at your own risk. Saskadena Six and the Woodstock Inn & Resort assume no responsibility for the safety of, or injury, death or damages to skiers or riders. All uphill travelers must adhere to rules and stay on designated routes, clearly posted at the mountain. Additionally, all uphill travelers must have proper uphill equipment. There is NO Hiking or Snowshoeing down the mountain. All uphill travelers must have the intention and equipment to ski or snowboard down the mountain. Please use local trail systems located at Mt. Tom or the AT for hiking or snowshoeing options. Our Uphill Travel Season Pass allows you access to our uphill travel routes and trails all winter, within and outside of operating hours (uphill access is included with the purchase of a Saskadena Six Season Pass).
New to Uphill Travel? Take an Uphill Lesson to get oriented with new equipment, learn tricks, and best practices for navigating while skinning.
Uphill Travel Routes, Access & Parking
Uphill travel routes will be made available during the winter season as conditions permit. We will open uphill travel routes in line with our ability to effectively manage and operate all functions within the entire resort, including but not limited to snowmaking, trail grooming, equipment maintenance, snow removal, etc.
Uphill travel routes can be accessed from the designated resort parking area. Trail information will be posted at the base of Chairs 1 and 2.
Designated Routes:
West - Easy Mile & "SoPo Scenic Route"
East - Milky Way to Backdoor/ Gully
Preconditions & Things to Know
- Before accessing resort premises make others aware of your uphill travel plans, including anticipated arrival and departure times. Charge your cell phone battery before you go and always travel with your cell phone. BE AWARE THAT ON-MOUNTAIN CELL PHONE SERVICE IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE OR RELIABLE.
- Always use the buddy system. It’s a good idea to travel with a party of at least three or more. If you decide to go alone, be sure to advise someone in advance about your activities.
- Wearing reflective clothing and a bright head lamp is mandatory if you will be on the mountain in low light or when it’s dark. It’s your responsibility to make yourself visible to operations personnel.
Responsibility Code
Your safety is directly affected by your judgment. Observe and follow Your Responsibility Code shown here:
- Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
- Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Stay off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
- Travel uphill only on designated routes.
- During non-operating hours, you must descend the mountain on the designated uphill route. For your safety and that of our staff, do not deviate from the designated route.
- Travel on the edge of the trail and don’t stand more than two people side-by-side across the trail.
- Don’t stop in high traffic areas.
Responsibility Code Cont.
- Be alert and yield to all downhill traffic, including skiers and snowboarders.
- Resort and mountain operations run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Stay clear of all mountain operations and equipment, including, but not limited to grooming machines, snowmaking equipment, snowmobiles and lifts.
- Always yield to all resort personnel, mountain operations equipment, machines and vehicles.
- Be prepared for changes in weather and conditions. Nighttime conditions and weather are usually very different from conditions and weather during the day. Be alert to continually changing weather, visibility, surface conditions and terrain features. Anticipate numerous hazards and dangers including, but not limited to snow, snowmaking mounds, ice, ruts, bumps, sheer drop-offs, bare ground, rocks, roots, stumps, trees, power poles, lift towers, snowmaking equipment, grooming vehicles, snowmobiles, other skiers and riders, and many other natural and man-made objects.
- Pets are not permitted on trails and slopes during operating hours. Where pets are permitted on resort property, they must be on a leash.
Area Boundaries
Saskadena Six and the Woodstock Inn & Resort assume no responsibility for the safety of, or injury, death or damages to skiers or riders. All uphill travelers are required to stay on the designated routes and adhere to Resort rules and best practices. VERMONT LAW PROVIDES THAT YOU ARE LIABLE FOR ALL EXPENSES OF SEARCH AND RESCUE IF YOU SKI BEYOND THE SKI AREA BOUNDARY AND A SEARCH IS CONDUCTED.
Emergencies
DURING RESORT OPERATING HOURS: For first aid assistance during resort operating hours, report accidents to any ski patroller, Mountain Services worker or lift operator. You can also stop at the first aid station at the top of the mountain, or the clinic in the lower level of the lodge.
DURING RESORT NON-OPERATING HOURS: Ski Patrol is not present and will be unable to provide services to uphill travelers during non-operating hours. DO NOT count on ski area personnel to be available to assist you. Uphill travelers assume full responsibility for personal safety, and any injury, death or damages when traveling on resort premises during non-operating hours. In the event of an emergency during non-operating hours, uphill travelers must call 911. BE AWARE THAT ON-MOUNTAIN CELL PHONE SERVICE IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE OR RELIABLE.
