Safety
Important Uphill Announcement
Effective Saturday, December 7th we are pleased to announce that two of our four uphill routes are open. From the close of lifts until midnight, the approved uphill travel route on Mount Mansfield is Lower Tyro to Lullaby Lane to Toll Road. Currently, there is no Mansfield route available after midnight, but stay tuned, because we hope to have one open by next weekend. On Spruce peak, Sterling remains open for uphill travel from the close of lifts until 8 am.
For more info please go to the Mountain Safety page on stowe.com. Ski safely and have fun.
For any questions about skinning or hiking, or for trail recommendations, please call 802-253-3690.
Mountain Safety
Stowe Mountain Resort allows the following sliding devices:
- Skis with retention devices
- Snowboards with retention devices
- Approved adaptive equipment
Your Responsibility Code
Stowe Mountain Resort is committed to promoting ski safety. In addition to people using traditional alpine ski equipment, you may be joined on the slopes by snowboarders, telemark skiers or cross-country skiers, skiers with disabilities, skiers with specialized equipment and others. Always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and snowboarding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Know your ability level and stay within it. Observe the Your Responsibility Code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.
- Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
- Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
Be advised that Stowe Mountain Resort does not mark all potential obstacles and hazards. When marked, poles, flags, fencing, signage, padding and other forms of marking are used to inform skiers and riders of the location of potential obstacles or hazards. These markers are no guarantee of your safety. It is part of your responsibility under the Your Responsibility Code.
Warning
Skiers and riders should be advised that a green circle, blue square or black diamond trail at Stowe Mountain Resort is not necessarily the same as a green circle, blue square or black diamond trail at other resorts. The system is a relative rating of trails at each resort and does not compare trail difficulty between resorts. Skiers and riders should begin with the easiest terrain and then move up in difficulty as their ability permits, in order to understand the relative rating at Stowe Mountain Resort.
Extreme Terrain
Extreme terrain contains cliffs, very steep slopes, rocks and other hazards. Skiing and boarding Extreme Terrain is for experts only.
Electronic Devices
Vail Resorts strongly discourages the use of electronic devices, including cell phones, personal entertainment and communication devices and any other electronic equipment that utilizes head/earphones while skiing and snowboarding, or loading and unloading lifts.
Caution
Snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
Slow Zones
Certain areas (indicated on the map in yellow) are designated as slow zones. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Space and speed are especially important in these areas. Fast and aggressive skiing will not be tolerated.
Helmet Use
Stowe Mountain Resort encourages our guests to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of winter sports helmets. Regardless of whether or not you choose to wear a helmet, every winter sport participant shares responsibility for his or her safety, and for that of others using the ski area facilities.
Employees in uniform are available to assist with safety questions and are empowered to suspend or revoke the skiing or riding privileges of anyone demonstrating reckless or inappropriate behavior.
For any additional information, call (802) 253-3000 or email stoweinfo@vailresorts.com.
Out of Bounds
- These areas contain many increased risks and hazards, many of which are hidden and/or may lie at or under the surface.
- It is easy to get lost. Know where you are going and never go alone.
- Weather constantly changes in the mountains. Monitor weather forecasts. Be prepared to bring extra supplies.
- You and your party are on your own. Night falls quickly in the winter. If you head out too late in the afternoon, you may get caught in the dark, which can turn small problems into very big ones.
- Call 911 in an emergency, but remember call services may be limited or unavailable in some areas.
- Don't go in alone and maintain line-of-sight with your partner(s). Use the leapfrog mentality when skiing with a partner or partners.
- Know where you are going.
- Wear a helmet.
- Stay away from the base of trees and low-lying areas such as stream beds.
- Don't enter the woods late in the day or in bad weather.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone. Cell phones can be helpful, but there is no guarantee that you will have service in the mountains.
- Do not panic—struggling and thrashing can make the situation worse.
- Carry a whistle in your chest pocket—one's voice can be lost within minutes of yelling.
- Save Ski Patrol's phone number and enable voice command if your device is capable. This can assist with hands-free calling when immobilized, but never rely solely on you cell phone for emergency response.
- If possible, try to create an air pocket in front of your face.
Uphill Access Program: Hiking, Skinning and Snowshoeing
- Toll House-Easy Mile trail, which extends from the base of the Toll House lift to the intersection of Lullaby Lane.
- Ascend the skier's left side of the trail (skinner's right).
- When more than one person is ascending, proceed single file.
- Follow the Your Responsibility Code.
- Obey all signage and closures.
- A valid ticket or Season Pass is required to access the lifts.
- No restrictions for downhill travel during operating hours.
- Mansfield - Nosedive
- Mansfield - Perry Merrill
- Mansfield - Lower Tyro to Lullaby Lane to Toll Road (providing access to the Stone Hut in the evenings)
- Sterling, from 4 p.m. - midnight
- Be as visible as possible to others. Use headlamps and other lights. Wear bright, reflective clothing.
- Avoid areas where resort equipment may be working. When approaching a grooming machine or snowmobile, step off to the side of the trail and use a light to draw the attention of the operator. Never follow a grooming machine.
- Stay away from snowmaking equipment. Do not ski or step on hoses.
- Keep dogs on leashes or leave them at home.
- Be aware of the location of any winch operations. Signs that winching may be in progress include a red beacon on the ground or on a snow cat, mounds of snow that have been piled at the top of the trail that is being winched, or a posted warning that winching is in progress.
- Know that Resort Emergency Services are not available during nonoperational periods. If you or a member of your party is injured, call 911. Know your route and be prepared to share it with emergency correspondence.
- Obey all signage and closures.
Parking
Parking for Uphill Access participants between 4:30pm and midnight is located directly adjacent to the Mansfield Lodge. Between midnight and 7:30am, Uphill Access parking is in Lot B.
The program is subject to change based on operational changes and needs. Sledding and mountain bikes are not permitted on Stowe alpine trails at any time.
Uphill activities may present a high danger of personal injury. Uphill users of Stowe Mountain Resort assume all risks associated with access. The ski area is not maintained for uphill access and trails are not patrolled outside of normal ski area operating hours. Motorized vehicles, snowmaking and other ski area operations may be encountered.
For any questions about skinning or hiking, or for trail recommendations, please call 802-253-3690.