The Utah Olympic Park (UOP) is excited to offer uphill season passes for the 2025–2026 season, now in its second year. This program invites our community to explore and enjoy our unique mountain terrain while supporting the foundation’s mission.
Be aware that the UOP and the Spencer F. Eccles Olympic Mountain Center are not a ski resort, but rather an athletic training facility. We therefore operate this facility differently from other ski areas. It is your responsibility to understand and abide by the policies outlined below. This is a backcountry environment, and all participants need to be prepared for all backcountry and avalanche conditions and to self-rescue. Use the facility at your own risk.
Please expect UOP staff to check your pass on the hill. Passes are required for any skiing and snowboarding activities on UOP property, and it is your responsibility to display your pass (armband) clearly for UOP Staff.
Each passholder will get three complimentary buddy day passes. Buddy passes may not be used unless the season pass holder is with their guest and must be picked up in-person at the museum on the day of use. Other than buddy passes, day passes will not be issued.
Hours of operations: 8 am – 4 pm
No activity allowed on the venue outside of 8 am – 4 pm. Only our resident PCSS Ski Mountaineering Program may use the facility outside of operating hours. No activity is allowed when the Park is closed at our front gate.
Note: uphill passes are good for human-powered travel on the mountain; they are not valid for lift access.
WINTER UPHILL TRAVEL ROUTES – North and South
North Route
Access to the North side route is from the overflow parking lot by the snowmaking pond. Follow ‘UPHILL TRAVEL’ markers towards the Game Changer chairlift. Follow the pathway around the backside of the lift and up the North side (lookers right) of the ski run. After you pass the chairlift, please stay behind the fence line on the travel road and off the main ski run. You will be climbing the Lower Mountain Bypass trail.
South Route
Access to the South side routes is from the overflow parking lot. Head west on the pavement past the swing up gate until you see the ‘UPHILL TRAVEL’ signs on the left. The trail veers up behind the bobsled track to the road crossing and up the mountain at the Lower Moose Puddle trail entrance.
During operating hours, uphill travelers are required to stay on the approved uphill routes. See new uphill routes on the Trail Map. Uphill Travelers are prohibited from entering closed terrain at any time, and it is the user’s responsibility to know what terrain is closed. Please check Mountain Conditions on our website for any updates.
The UOP is private property and reserves the right to close terrain at any time for any reason.
WINTER UPHILL TRAVEL RESPONSIBLITY CODE
Skiing (a term which here includes snowboarding, sledding and all other forms of sliding on snow), whether uphill or downhill, involves inherent risks that cannot be eliminated. However, there are a few rules of conduct that can decrease the risk involved. When traveling within ski resort boundaries, follow the Skier’s Responsibility Code and follow these additional guidelines for uphill travel:
ALWAYS
- Travel uphill only on the designated route during operating hours.
- Stay to the edge of ski trails; do not hike or stand in the middle of a trail.
- Observe posted signs, warnings and trail closures.
- Be alert for & yield to downhill skiers. Downhill skiers and boarders have the right of way.
- Stay in a single file line. If you travel with a group, do not ski next to your friends on the uphill route.
- Stay off all training trails where a winch cat is working and where snowmaking is in progress.
- Use approved routes to access terrain during operating hours: Bear Hollow, Bear Hollow Ridge, and Lower Mountain Bypass. Up-tracks are defined by the users and should follow a generally marked path up the mountain. The UOP does not set or maintain a specific up-track.
- Use routes defined on map to access parking lot.
- Yield to downhill traffic.
- Yield to and/or avoid all ski area machinery.
- Sign and submit a Liability Waiver before picking up season pass.
NEVER
- Stop in high-traffic zones, where you are likely to obstruct a trail or where you are not visible to downhill traffic.
- Hike, stand or otherwise position more than two people side-by-side across the fall line.
- Bring your dog in the ski area during operating hours
- Sled or tube at any time.
- Travel uphill if avalanche mitigation is in progress. You must wait at the base area until flashing lights are turned off (more information below).
ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY
All uphill hikers and skiers are using Utah Olympic Park at their own risk. All uphill users are required to sign a liability waiver and pick up an armband, which serves as their season pass, before traveling on the mountain.
AVALANCHE MITIGATION
During avalanche mitigation work, a flashing red light will be turned on at parking lots and trail heads. When this red light is flashing, uphill travel is prohibited. There will also be signs denoting which routes are open or closed. If the light is flashing the night prior, uphill users should avoid skiing the following day.
As soon as mitigation work is complete, the light will be turned off and uphill travel will be permitted. If patrol is confident control work will occur the following day, the light will be turned on the night prior to alert people that uphill access is closed the following morning. The mountain operations team will do their best to notify the public the night prior to any avalanche control via the Mountain Conditions Website. Avalanche mitigation is likely after fresh snowfall of 4 inches or more, or during periods of high winds.
WINCH CAT: FLASHING YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS:
Some trails are groomed with a winch cat, which uses cables under extremely high tension. STAY OFF THESE TRAILS! These cables can run as long as 4000 ft. and can move suddenly or change height. Cables may change angles between the pick point and snow cat and not be in direct line above or below the machine while it is working. If you see flashing yellow or red lights on the trails, winch cat operation is in progress and uphill travel is prohibited on that side of the mountain. The high-tension cable used by the cat is extremely dangerous, and Uphill Travelers should stay well away from the anchor. Flashing yellow lights signify the cat and the winch anchor. REMINDER: THE WINCH CAT CABLE CAN KILL YOU.
BEING AN AMBASSADOR
As a season pass holder, you are automatically an Uphill Travel Ambassador. Please contribute to our community by being helpful and courteous to others on the mountain. Obey all posted signage and the Golden Rule.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
Uphill travelers are required to stay off trails that are maintained for athletic alpine and freestyle training, specifically Olympic Hopeful and Axios. UPHILL TRAVELERS FOUND SKIING ON THIS TERRAIN WILL HAVE THEIR PASSES REVOKED.
UOP is surrounded by private property. Any access outside our marked property lines is considered trespassing and will be prosecuted.
Please support this program and alert a UOP staff member if you think skiers are on UOP terrain without passes. We want to protect this unique experience.
DOGS
Absolutely NO DOGS are allowed within the ski area boundary during operation hours.
SLEDDING
Sledding is prohibited at the Utah Olympic Park at all times.
HAZARDS
STAY OFF OF TRAILS WHERE SNOWMAKING IS IN PROGRESS. The snowmaking process employs extremely high-voltage electrical cords and high-pressure water hoses, and these hazards often lie just beneath the surface. These trails may also have very icy conditions, particularly near the snow guns. Seek an alternate route if you see any sign of snow making machines, electrical cords, or hoses.
REFLECTIVE MATERIALS, HEADLAMPS, WHISTLES
It is strongly recommended that all uphill travelers utilize reflective materials on ski poles, clothing, and/or packs to heighten visibility. In addition to headlamps, flashing lights such as those commonly used on bicycles make it easier for other users and ski area personnel to see you and your party in low light. Lastly, a whistle can be beneficial if the need arises to send an audible warning or signal. Be equipped for backcountry travel and rescue.
RIGHT OF WAY
Snowmaking, grooming, and other equipment may be in use on the mountain at any time. All uphill traffic must yield to downhill traffic and all machinery. Skiers traveling at high speeds over blind rollovers present a danger to uphill travelers, so uphill travelers should take special care at terrain changes. It is prohibited for any skier, hiker, or person otherwise, to approach within 100 feet of grooming machines, whether stationary or moving; or snowmaking equipment, including but not limited to fan guns, high-pressure water lines, and high-voltage electrical cables.
SKI PATROL
No ski patrol services are available outside of normal operating hours. During normal operating hours, ski patrol response may be delayed or unavailable, depending on operational circumstances. Uphill users are prohibited from entering closed terrain at any time. It is the user’s responsibility to understand their own abilities and know what terrain is closed. All uphill travelers should be prepared for any backcountry conditions and self-rescue at any time.
SUMMARY
Uphill travel at Utah Olympic Park is a unique opportunity that comes with responsibilities. Please follow all posted signs, stay on designated routes, and respect safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.