Uphill Travel Policy

Great Divide allows uphill travel only under specific conditions and only on designated routes. Uphill access is a privilege and may be modified or revoked at any time due to safety, operations, or conditions.

Following the Designated Route is Required

• Uphill travel is permitted only on the designated uphill route (see below)

• Traveling outside of the designated route is prohibited.

• A headlamp is required during nighttime uphill travel. Users must make themselves clearly visible at all times.

Snowmaking Hazards

• Extreme caution is required, especially outside of operating hours.

• During snowmaking operations, each snowgun is supplied by high-pressure water hoses and high-voltage electrical lines that run from the edge of the run to the snowgun.

• These lines may be buried, partially buried, or exposed.

• Traveling over snowmaking hoses or electrical lines can result in serious injury or death.

• Violations may result in revocation of individual uphill access or closure of uphill access.

Grooming Equipment

• Grooming equipment may be operating at any time during uphill travel hours.

• Snowcats have limited sightlines and many blind spots. Operators may not see uphill travelers.

• Individuals must stay well clear of all grooming equipment at all times.

• Do not approach, follow, pass, or travel downhill toward operating equipment.

• If grooming equipment is encountered on a road, you must step completely off the road and allow the equipment to pass, even if this causes inconvenience.

• Unsafe interaction with grooming equipment may result in immediate loss of uphill privileges.

Approved Hours Only

Uphill travel is allowed only:

• Before lifts open, or

• After Ski Patrol has closed the mountain for the day

Uphill travel is not permitted during lift operating hours.

Downhill Travel

• Any downhill travel must be done off of, or to the edge of, the groomed surface.

• Uphill users must yield to grooming equipment and all mountain operations.

• Downhill travel in the center of groomed runs during uphill hours is prohibited.

• No downhill access is allowed through any Terrain Park

No Ski Patrol Services

• There are no Ski Patrol services available during uphill travel hours.

• Any injury or emergency will require a call to 9-1-1.

• Users must be prepared for self-rescue and rapidly changing mountain conditions.

• Be aware that emergency response will be delayed as emergency responders are not used to responding to on mountain emergencies traditionally covered by Ski Patrollers.

Responsibility & Enforcement

Uphill travel is undertaken entirely at the user’s own risk.

• Great Divide Skiing Company, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the safety, suitability, or condition of the mountain for uphill travel.

• In accordance with Montana State Law, uphill travelers acknowledge and accept the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including but not limited to:

  • Changing and variable snow conditions

  • Natural and man-made obstacles

  • Snowmaking equipment and infrastructure

  • Grooming equipment and winch operations

  • Limited visibility, weather, darkness, and low-light conditions

• All mountain operations, including maintenance, grooming, and snowmaking, are conducted with downhill skiing guests in mind during normal lift-served operating hours only.

• This reference to downhill skiing guests does not include uphill travelers who ski downhill outside of operating hours.

• Great Divide staff makes no effort to ensure the mountain is safe or suitable for uphill travel at any time.

• Padding, rope lines, fencing, signage, and hazard markings are installed and maintained for normal lift-served operations only and are not maintained for uphill access.

• Such safety measures may be absent, removed, relocated, or ineffective outside of operating hours.

• Uphill travelers assume full responsibility for identifying, avoiding, and accepting all hazards.

By accessing the mountain for uphill travel, users agree to hold harmless, indemnify, and defend Great Divide Skiing Company, Inc., its owners, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, damages, or injuries, including those arising from negligence, except as prohibited by law.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in revocation of uphill privileges for the individual and/or closure of uphill access for all users.