uphill access

EARLY SEASON status: Restricted

Uphill will be open beginning on Saturday 12/21/24! The Green Peak route will be closed until further notice.

Oblivion Route: Valley Run -> Upper Valley Run -> Oblivion. Opening Saturday from 7am-10am.

High Country Route: Main Street -> Ruthie's Run -> Treeline. Opening Saturday.

If descending prior to chairlift operating hours, you must descend the same designated route to ascended. Uphill access is permitted only to those who purchase a valid pass and sign a liability waiver. Reflective armbands must be worn while ascending. Click here to view the full uphill access policy.

ABOUT

• Uphill access is permitted only to those who purchase a valid Uphill Trail Pass or an Uphill New England Pass

• You must sign a liability release prior to uphill travel.

• Uphill travel is permitted only on the designated Uphill Routes during designated uphill hours. Please note, route hours vary. 

• Please check the Snow Report for updated Uphill Route Status.

• Reflective armbands must be worn at all times during ascent.  

DESCENDING

For safety, if you descend prior to lift operating hours, you must ski/snowboard down the same uphill route you traveled.

DOGS

Sorry, pets are not permitted on any uphill access route.

EQUIPMENT

Only skinning and touring are allowed on alpine trails, sorry, no foot traffic is permitted. For Nordic and backcountry terrain, only snowshoeing, skinning, and touring are permitted. No boot-packing is permitted.

POWDER DAY RULES

Uphill travel is permitted on powder days (6" or greater overnight). However, descending is not permitted until lifts open (9am weekdays/ 8am weekends & holidays). 

SKI PATROL

Ski Patrol is only available when the ski area is open. Ski Patrol is on duty every day during posted operating hours. If an emergency occurs during lift serviced hours, please call 603-254-3396. Should an emergency occur before or after normal operating hours, call 911. For your safety, always carry a fully charged cell phone. Participants should always know and be able to articulate your specific location should an emergency occur. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life. 

TICKETS/PASSES

Uphill access is permitted to anyone who purchases an Uphill Trail Pass or an Uphill New England Pass and signs a liability release.

UPHILL ROUTES & hours

Uphill access is limited to the following routes and hours: 

Waterville Valley Ski Resort (Alpine)

CLOSED

Waterville Valley Nordic Center

RESTRICTED

UPHILL NEW ENGLAND PASS

The Uphill New England multi-mountain uphill membership pass provides access to 12+ ski resorts across MA, VT, NH, and ME with a single purchase. Uphill New England provides an access pass armband, streamlined set of waivers, and mobile app. The app enables digital check-in at each resort, the ability for the user to track their vertical throughout the season, and special access to ski resort promotions. Join our community of uphillers and help us ensure uphill access in New England!

INCLUDED MOUNTAINS

FAQs

UPHILL RULES

Please read and follow these simple rules to keep uphill touring safe and fun for everybody:

1. You must possess a valid Waterville Valley Resort Uphill Trail Pass or a valid Uphill New England Pass.

2. You must sign the Waterville Valley Resort Uphill Trail Pass Release of Liability in order to obtain your pass.

3. Always be Aware of & Yield to Mountain Operations - Stay off trails that are currently being groomed or have snowmaking equipment in operation. When encountering mountain operations staff and vehicles, please move out of the way, stay visible and collected as a group, and stop any uphill or downhill movement until they pass by.

4. Be seen - Wear bright colored or reflective gear and display a light when appropriate. This will help mountain operations crew see you and for you to keep track of each other.

5. Ski in Groups and Have a Plan - Have one plan, and everyone stick to it. Skiing together help you keep track of each other on the way down and will help our staff to see you. Share your plan to someone outside of your party and communicate with them upon your return.

6. Grouping - While we encourage grouping, during operating hours, we ask that no more than two abreast while ascending the mountain. During non- operating hours, no more than four abreast while ascending the mountain.

7. Descending - If you descend prior to lift operating hours, you must ski/snowboard down the same uphill route you traveled.

8. No Dogs - Dogs are not allowed on the mountain. We love our furry friends, but please leave them at home; dogs pose a safety risk to you, themselves, other guests, and the mountain operations crew.

9. Use the Right Gear - Only skinning and touring are allowed on alpine trails, foot traffic is NOT permitted. For Nordic and backcountry terrain, ONLY snowshoeing, skinning, and touring are permitted. Respect the skin track and alpine trails please!

10. No Sledding - Grooming, snowmaking and other mountain operations create hazardous sledding conditions.

11. No Alternate Routes - Please follow Waterville Valley Resort’s Designated Uphill Routes.

12. Check Uphill Status - Prior to ascending, please check our Uphill Status, which can be found on our Snow Report.

13. Heed to Signage - There will be times when uphill routes are closed due to weather conditions, congestion, or other reasons. Do not seek an alternate route - consider the mountain closed to uphill traffic. Please check the Uphill Community Snow Report before proceeding and heed to all posted closings, warnings, and other comments.

14. Avoid all Snowmaking Equipment - Snowmaking equipment poses serious hazards, especially in the dark. Snow may be wet and heavy and may be inconsistent between guns. Hoses stretch between guns and across skiing terrain. DO NOT ski over any hoses, lines, or equipment. These hoses contain high - pressure water and electricity and any contact with them is extremely dangerous.

15. Leave No Trace – Please remove all trash and personal items. Leave the mountain environment as you found it or better.

16. Respect WV Property – Respect the mountain buildings, lifts, and other Waterville Valley structures.

17. Respect WV Mountain Operations Staff – Respect any WV staff you encounter and consider them as voices of authority. Follow any instructions or warnings they may give.

18. Ski Area Boundary – New Hampshire Law provides that you are liable for all expenses from search and rescue efforts beyond the ski-area boundary.

19. Powder Day Rule- Uphill travel is permitted on powder days (6" or greater overnight). However, descending is not permitted until lifts open (9am weekdays/ 8am weekends & holidays). 

WARNING:

SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT, WATER/POWER LINES, SNOWCATS, SNOW MACHINES, MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HAZARDS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME ON THE MOUNTAIN, IN ANY SEASON. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN. ALWAYS DISPLAY A LIGHT AND WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING.

WHEN ENCOUNTERING MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS STAFF AND VEHICLES, PLEASE MOVE OUT OF THE WAY AND STOP ANY UPHILL OR DOWNHILL MOVEMENT UNTIL THEY PASS BY.

PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE MOUNTAIN. NO RESCUE SERVICES OR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT CAN BE EXPECTED OUTSIDE THE CURRENTLY OPEN NORDIC OR LIFT SERVICED TERRAIN.

If an emergency occurs during lift serviced hours, please call 603-254-3396. If there is no response call 911. Ski Patrol is only available when the ski area is open. Ski Patrol is on duty every day during posted operating hours. Should an emergency occur before or after normal operating hours, call 911.

For your safety, always carry a fully charged cell phone. Participants should always know and be able to articulate their specific location should an emergency occur. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life. 

Please respect this beautiful place and enjoy your time on the mountain!