Safety

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.

• 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.

In-Season Uphill Traffic Policy

• Uphill experience: We know how special the uphill experience is to many in our local communities. We will continue to permit uphill access with some new safety protocols put in place to minimize incidents. We anticipate a larger interest in uphill this season and we have adjusted our policies in order to safely manage demand as we also prioritize managing demand for daily operations.
• Safety mindset: Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable ski and ride experience to our guests amid COVID-19, which means focusing our resources first and foremost on our mountain operations. While we are pleased to offer uphill access at our resorts, we ask that those who want to partake in that experience, please follow the new protocols that were designed to safely manage demand this season.
• Hours: Uphill access will only be permitted outside of lift operating hours. Access can begin 30 minutes after the last lift closure. In the morning prior to operating hours, all users must begin returning to the base no later than 15 minutes prior to the first lift opening.
• Designated routes: Perry Merrill (4:30PM until Midnight). Crossover to North Slope to Lord to Upper Lord (Midnight to 7:30AM weekdays, 7:00AM Sat. Sun. Holidays)
• Pets: Pets are not allowed on mountain at Vail Resorts properties. We will not allow pets at any time, which includes during uphill access and normal operating hours. This allows for increased safety, especially outside of normal resort operating hours when snowmobiles and snowcats are present to prepare and maintain the mountain. While this restriction on pets has been in place at some resorts and is a new policy in others, has been put in place across our company to protect all employees and guests, including the pets themselves.
• Tips: All uphill users must stay off closed trails, obey signage and follow direction from resort employees. We also ask you to wear reflective clothing and make yourself visible to snowmobiles and snowcats by using a flashlight or headlamp.
• NOTE: Due to the State of Vermont's closure of the Stone Hut for the season, bathroom access at the top of the Four Runner Quad will not be open when the lift is closed for the day.

Downhill Travel & Closed Trails

• 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.
• 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.

Winter Season Parking

Parking for Uphill Access participants is in the Upper Lot B, below the Midway Lodge (shown in yellow on the Uphill Access Map).

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.