Uphill Travel

Private Uphill Experience at the historic in-town Snow King Mountain Resort

Come enjoy a half-day or full day of fun & fitness with your family or close friends!  Our PSIA certified instructors will serve as your private guides as you explore groomed uphill routes with plenty of stops to capture the scenic views. This is your opportunity to make it a great adventure: enjoy a leisurely stroll up the mountain with a picnic or get in an all time workout and race uphill.

Any intermediate plus skier or split boarder is welcome to join, be it your first time ever skiing uphill or someone looking to bring their uphill experience to Jackson Hole.  Upon reaching our destination your guide will assist with equipment adjustments before you enjoy a ski down groomed blue runs. At the bottom, a quick refresh is provided before you tackle your next uphill route.

Exclusive, private offering: 1 – 4 people, family or friends only please
2.5 hour or 5 hour lesson: Available any day
Fitness Level: Should be comfortable with easy to moderate day hikes
Skier Ability: Should be comfortable skiing groomed, blue runs. No prior uphill experience necessary.

Winter Uphill Travel Routes

See the new trail map for uphill routes. We encourage all skinning traffic to start on the Rafferty side and hikers to hit the bootpack.

THE BOOTPACK

Hikers right side of Exhibition, west of the Tubing Park, hugging the trees all the ways to the Panorama House. Hiking only – no skinning.

THE ICE RINK CONNECTOR
Connect to the summer trail on the trail alongside the cemetery fence running to the east of the ice rink and continue up the right-hand side of Turnpike, then following Slow Trail around the top of the Rafferty Lift, connecting to the new Way Home trail to the summit, then connect to Elkhorn trail to reach the saddle. The preferred route for all skinning traffic is the on the Rafferty side up Cats Tail.

CATS TAIL

Cats Tail route starts at the Rafferty Lift and follows the eastern boundary above the Snow King Hotel and Grand View Lodge to the Treetop Adventure ropes course where it connects to the Slow Trail and then Way Home road to the summit. Turn off on Elkhorn trail before crossing the new Wolverine ski run.

Winter Uphill Travel Responsibility Code

Skiing (a term which includes snowboarding, sledding and all other forms of sliding on snow), whether uphill or downhill, involves inherent risks that cannot be eliminated. However, there are a few rules of conduct that can decrease the risk involved. When traveling within ski resort boundaries, follow the Skier’s Responsibility Code and follow these additional guidelines for uphill travel:

ALWAYS

• Travel uphill only on the designated route during operating hours.
• Stay to the edge of ski trails; do not hike or stand in the middle of a trail.
• Observe posted signs, warnings and trail closures.
• Be alert for & yield to downhill skiers. Downhill skiers and boarders have the right of way.
• If you travel in a group stay in a single file line and do not ski next to your friends on the uphill route.
• Yield to and/or avoid all ski area machinery.

NEVER

• Stop in high-traffic zones, where you are likely to obstruct a trail or where you are not visible to downhill traffic.
• Hike, stand or otherwise position more than two people side-by-side across the fall line.
• Bring your dog in the ski area during operating hours (operating hours are defined as any time a lift is spinning on the mountain).

RESTRICTIONS

• No dogs during operating hours.
• No sledding anytime.
• Stay off trails where a winch cat is working and where snowmaking is in progress.
• No uphill travel if avalanche mitigation is in progress.  You must wait at the base area until flashing lights are turned off.
• Use approved routes during operating hours: The Bootpack, The Ice Rink Trail and Cat’s Tail.
• All uphill traffic must yield to downhill traffic and all machinery.
• All uphill travelers must sign and submit a Liability Waiver at any ticketing location.

Uphill Travel Policy

Updated: Feb. 2023

All Uphill Travelers at Snow King Mountain Resort are required to display a current Uphill Travel Pass, Daily Uphill Ticket, or Season Pass  24 hours a day when traveling on the mountain.  Passes are available at Snow King Mountain Sports and all ticketing locations. The pass must be visible and available for Ski Patrol to check when on the mountain.  Please display your pass on the outside of your backpack, or jacket.  Uphill passes are good for human-powered travel on the mountain, they are not valid for lift or gondola access.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY
All uphill hikers and skiers are using Snow King Mountain at their own risk.  All uphill users are required to sign a liability waiver before traveling on the mountain.

APPROVED WINTER UPHILL ROUTES
During operating hours Uphill Travellers are required to stay on the approved uphill routes:
The Bootpack, The Cat’s Tail, and connector from the East of the ice rink to the summer trail. Please do not start your skin trip at the base of the gondola as you will be re-routed.  The convergence of uphill and downhill traffic around the base of the Cougar lift has become a safety concern.  See new uphill routes on the SK Trail Map.
Uphill Travelers are prohibited from entering closed terrain at any time. It is the user’s responsibility to know what terrain is closed. Please direct any questions regarding closed trails or terrain to the Snow King Ski Patrol at 307.201.5667 during normal business hours or check “Mountain Conditions” on our website at skmjackson.wpengine.com or Snow King Mobile App.

AVALANCHE MITIGATION
During avalanche mitigation work, a flashing strobe light will be turned on at both base areas (Gondola Operator Shack & Rafferty adjacent to the Cowboy Coaster Bridge).  When this light is flashing, uphill travel is prohibited during the morning, and not recommended at night.  If the light is flashing the night prior, uphill users should avoid skiing up to the summit ridge in the dark.  As soon as mitigation work is complete the light will be turned off and uphill travel is permitted.  If patrol is confident control work will occur the rolling day, the light will be turned on the night prior to alert people that uphill access is closed the following morning.   The mountain operations team will do their best to notify the public the night prior to any avalanche control via Facebook and the SK App.  Avalanche mitigation is likely after a fresh snowfall of 4 inches or more, or during a period of high winds.

BEING AN AMBASSADOR
As an Uphill Travel Ambassador, please contribute to our community by being helpful and courteous to others on the mountain. Obey all posted signage and the Golden Rule.

DOGS
Absolutely NO DOGS are allowed within the ski area boundary during operation hours. Outside of operating hours, dogs are permitted within the ski area boundary. Town of Jackson dog laws are in effect at all times, and dogs MUST BE ON LEASH OR UNDER VOICE CONTROL. SKMR has a simple Zero Dog Waste policy: FAILURE TO REMOVE YOUR DOG’S POOP WILL RESULT IN PASS REVOCATION.

HAZARDS
STAY OFF OF TRAILS WHERE SNOWMAKING IS IN PROGRESS. These trails will have 480-volt electrical cords and high-pressure water hoses, and at times they may be just beneath the surface. They may also have very icy conditions, particularly near the snow guns. Seek an alternate route if you see any indication of snow machines, electrical cords, or hoses.

LEAVE NO TRACE
If you pack it up, please pack it out. Help keep Snow King Mountain clean.

POACHING THE POWDER
Uphill travelers are requested to limit their impact on fresh powder or any freshly groomed surface. Please be sensitive to the fact that uphill travel is a privilege. Thanks.

REFLECTIVE MATERIALS, HEADLAMPS, WHISTLES
It is strongly recommended that all uphill travelers utilize reflective materials on ski poles, clothing, and/or packs to heighten visibility. In addition to headlamps, flashing lights such as those commonly used on bicycles make it easier for other users as well as ski area personnel to see you and your party in the dark. Lastly, a whistle can be beneficial if the need arises to send an audible warning or signal.

RIGHT OF WAY
All uphill traffic must yield to downhill traffic and all machinery. Skiers traveling at high speeds over blind rollovers present a danger to uphill travelers, so uphill travelers should take special care at junctions. It is prohibited for any skier, hiker, or person otherwise, to approach within 100 feet of grooming machines, whether stationary or moving; or snowmaking equipment, to include but not limited to fan guns, high-pressure water lines, and high-voltage electrical cables

SKI PATROL
No ski patrol services are available outside of normal operating hours. During normal operating hours, ski patrol response may be unavailable for unpatrolled terrains, such as the upper mountain during night skiing. Uphill users are prohibited from entering closed terrain at any time. It is the user’s responsibility to know what terrain is closed.

SLEDDING
Sledding is prohibited on Snow King Mountain at all times due to safety and liability concerns.

WINCH CAT: FLASHING YELLOW / FLASHING RED LIGHTS:
Some trails are groomed with a winch cat, which uses cables under extremely high tension. STAY OFF THESE TRAILS! These cables can move suddenly and change height. THE CABLE CAN KILL YOU.

CAUSE DISMEMBERMENT OR DEATH.
If you see flashing yellow or red lights, winch cat operation is in progress and uphill travel is prohibited on the entire run. The high-tension cable used by the cat is extremely dangerous, and Uphill Travellers should stay well away from the anchor. Flashing yellow lights signify the cat and flashing red lights signify the winch anchor.

Avalanche Control Notification Light: