Sugarbush Skinning Policy

The Sugarbush Ski Resort and the United States Forest Service (“USFS”) encourage use of public lands. Please be aware that Sugarbush is located on both private and public land. Sugarbush Ski Resort operates under a permit issued by the USFS to Summit Ventures LLC. While enjoying these private and permitted lands, you must abide by Sugarbush Ski Resort’s rules and USFS restrictions and recommendations, including those summarized below and outlined in our winter operating plan. Any violations of these rules may result in suspension of lift privileges or prosecution for a criminal offense

The following summary of restrictions and recommendations for Trail Use and Uphill Access to Sugarbush Ski Resort is provided for your information and education; and in an effort to enhance the use of public lands by you and others. Other restrictions may exist from time to time. Thank you for your cooperation.

Winter Trail Use

Ski trails are intended for use only by downhill skiers (including snowboarders and users of other approved devices), with lift tickets or passes, during operating hours. Skiing on closed trails or terrain features is prohibited. Open or Closed status is identified by rope and/or signage and daily trail reports. All trails are considered closed outside of normal operating hours or operating season. The skiing of wooded areas outside of designated trails is subject to Sugarbush Resort’s Off Trail Policy.

You must have a ticket or pass to access the trails at Sugarbush.
All trails are considered closed outside of normal operating hours.
All trails are considered closed unless marked as open on the trail report.
Open trails are listed at Sugarbush.com and at Guest Services
Trail status and conditions change due to weather and use

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Winter Uphill Access

Uphill access is provided to ticket- or pass-holders in order to access open areas during operating hours. Uphill access is provided via the lift system, except under special circumstances (i.e. lift mechanical failure or weather hold, or special events) when uphill access may be provided by vehicles or by hiking. Hiking or “skinning” on designated trails is only permitted when specifically authorized by the Resort. Unauthorized uphill access inside or outside of operating hours is prohibited.

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Winter Off Trail Policy: (as published in Trail Map)

“Wooded areas between open trails are not patrolled and have no skier/snowboarder services. If you ski/snowboard in wooded areas, you are solely responsible for yourself. Enter and exit only from marked open trails. You should be an expert skier/snowboarder. Do not ski/ride alone. Unmarked obstacles exist throughout.” “Caution: If you ski/ride in areas other than open and designated trails, you are voluntarily accepting additional responsibility for injury or death. When you enter areas between or outside designated trails, you have entered the unknown. These areas are not maintained or patrolled. You are assuming risks that may include getting lost or suffering other harm or injury.”

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Winter Uphill Trail Access

A list of designated uphill travel routes are available from Guest Services.
Stay towards the side of the trail when traveling uphill.
Position yourself so that you are visible from above.
Wear bright colored clothing.
No dogs are allowed on slopes.
Do not ski over snowmaking hoses or power cords. Ski edges will cut them.
You must be back down to the base area by 4:15 to avoid interfering with Patrol Sweeps.
Any violations of these rules may result in suspension of lift privileges or prosecution for a criminal offense.
The above stated rules are for your safety, the safety of other guests, and the safety of the employees at the ski resort.

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Snowmobiles

Public use of snowmobiles is prohibited on Sugarbush Ski Resort trails at all times.

Any violations of these rules may result in suspension of lift privileges or prosecution for a criminal offense.

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Sledding Policy

Sledding or tobogganing can be a fun winter pastime, but this activity is not appropriate on our ski slopes and trails as they aren’t designed for this activity. Sledding on ski slopes and trails can be hazardous due to:

the steepness of the slope,
the firmness of the snow,
the presence of skiers and snowboarders,
the presence of vehicles, such as snowmobiles and snow grooming equipment,
the presence of obstacles such as trees, fences, buildings, snowmaking equipment and lift towers, and limited or inadequate run-out to slow or stop the sleds.

Due to the hazards and risks noted above, Sugarbush Resort wants to reinforce the message of No Sledding on Ski Slopes.

Sledding on the trails or within the ski area boundary is not permitted by guests. This applies to any type of device that can be used for sledding including, but not limited to, sleds, toboggans, tubes or saucers and other devices such as shovels, pads, or trays.

Any violations of these rules may result in suspension of lift privileges or prosecution for a criminal offense.

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§ 1037. Acceptance of inherent risks

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1036 of this title, a person who takes part in any sport accepts as a matter of law the dangers that inhere therein insofar as they are obvious and necessary. (Added 1977, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Feb. 7, 1978.)

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§ 1038. Skiing off designated ski trails; collision; duty to report; recovery for rescue expenses

(a) Use of ski area facilities. No ski area, its owners, employees or agents shall be held responsible for ensuring the safety of or for damages, including injury or death, resulting to persons who utilize the facilities of a ski area to access terrain outside open and designated ski trails. Ski areas shall not be liable for damages, including injury or death, to persons who venture beyond such open and designated ski trails.

(b) Collision at a ski area.

Any person who is involved in a collision with a skier at a ski area which results in bodily injury to any party to the collision has a duty to provide his or her name and local and permanent address to the other parties to the collision and shall proceed to the ski area first aid facility and provide that information to the ski area first aid personnel.
No ski area, its employees or agents shall be held responsible for ensuring compliance with these duties by any person, nor shall it be liable in any way for a failure to obtain such person's name or address.

(c) Civil action to recover. A person who uses the facilities of a ski area to access terrain outside the open and designated ski trails, shall be liable in a civil action brought by any person, including a ski area, rescue organization, municipality or the state, to recover expenses incurred to provide rescue, medical or other services to such person for circumstances or injuries which resulted from such use. The entity seeking to recover may also recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs. No ski area, its owners, agents or employees, individual or entity, municipal or otherwise, shall be held liable for any acts or omissions taken in the course of such rescue operations unless such act or omission constitutes gross negligence. (Added 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 88, eff. June 21, 1994.)

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