Some of you Wildsnowers might recall the mega thread that developed here when Whitefish Mountain Resort implemented some heavy restrictions on uphill travel.
Our belief is that uphilling can be a viable part of any ski resort’s recreational offering. We’re not sure where that approach will lead in terms of areas perhaps charging us to use their slopes for uphilling. But experimenting with different ideas such as passes and perhaps even fees is most certainly more intelligent than simply closing access.
For now, this might be one of the only totally free ski passes available in North America (Crested Butte has an uphill pass as well).
A short time ago I headed over to our little Sunlight Mountain Resort for a cardio session, and noticed they’d started a “hiking pass” program. You pick up the free pass at the ticket window or from the ski patrol. I got mine at the patrol shack, and the ‘troller explained the idea is the pass makes sure all uphillers know the rules and have the disclaimer. I like it, though it seems to me the next step will be to sell the pass instead of giving it away. If the price is super reasonable I’m ok with that — let’s just hope they don’t gouge.
Sunlight hiker pass poster
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
