Hiking after the lifts stop- allowed?

[redalienx11]

I was wondering what the ski resorts think about us hiking up for turns after the lifts stop. No one has ever stopped me before, but I'm concerned about any possible legal implications. (not that it's necessarily gonna stop me).

Right now I'm focusing on the Catskills (Belleayre/Hunter). I think Belleayre is state land and I'm guessing Hunter is private land? If Hunter ends up not opening this weekend I would love to go hike for a run or two.

I've always thought it is perfectly fine to hike up and not pay...after all- it's called a LIFT TICKET not a SKI TICKET.

But maybe I'm wrong...

 

[riverc0il]

i am not sure of the legal or technical rules on the issue, but i have yet to hear about someone hiking for turns when a ski are was closed and not operating or making snow being stopped or asked to leave on either private or publically owned ski areas. i have never had a problem. just be sure if a ski area gates certain lots during the spring, that you respect the gate and are out of the lot by the posted time. i was thanked last year at jay peak for parking outside the stateside lot.

 

[blacknblue]

It's my understanding that if the ski resort is on public land (national forest, etc.) then they really can't stop you, whereas privately owned areas could get you for trespassing (Park City, for example, does this). It wouldn't surprise me if there were some regulations around it, but I've never seen a ski resort have a problem with someone hiking up after the end of the season. I have hiked Wildcat, Killington, and Pico in-season without repercussion, and Stowe, Wildcat, Killington, Pico, Cannon, and Ascutney after the lifts stopped running for the year.

The ski patrol at Wildcat was snowmobiling up when I started skiing down (something like 7am - I figured I'd watch the sunrise and get freshies... it was cloudy and didn't snow). I decided on pre-emptive friendly gestures, and they just returned a wave, so I guess they don't care too much!

 

[riverc0il]

publically owned versus privately owned really doesn't matter as much as you think it does. cannon mountain has signs up prohibiting hiking the ski trails during the non-snowy months. i suspect the same applies to hiking in the winter, but they sure don't enforce any such ban judging by the guys in the snowcat waving to dozens of us hiking this past november. but as cannon does, a public property area can restrict access for safety reasons.

 

[thetrailboss]

Seems to be perennial thread.

Pretty much the general rule is if it is public land and you are not accessing from a private access, it is OK. Otherwise, ask permission. In either case, you're on your own for rescue, liability, etc.

I know Jay doesn't encourage it nor discourage it.

 

[PowderDeprived]

People Hike all the time at Sugarbush, FIS and Stiens were both sking nicly till early june last season, and you could get top to bottom off of lincoln peak untill mid may. Sugarbush pretty much doesn't care, they are usualy cool with you hiking durring the winter, especialy if you have a pass or a ticket, and if you ask they say you can go anywhere on the mountain in the summer.

As far as legality. Worst case scenario is a resort could have you arrested and charged with tresspassing, and possibly theft of servaces depending on local law. That isn't likely, because if you were caught, and not susposted to be on the land they would probably ask you to leave first.

There is a word for this, Pre or Post season Sking. If don't live localy to a resort it is a less heard of term, but if you live near your resort, and you get a dump in octobre, you can hike for fresh tracks wherever you like.

 

[knuckledragger]

In VT we buy lift tickets not trail tickets. If you have enough gumption you can hike any where on PUBLIC land and do what ever you want on the way down(within reason). This is how we poach mad river snowboarding hiking in on the longtrail and dropping in. Dont hang around at the base waiting for them to ask you about the conditions though. Another little hint get a good topo map of your favorite ski areas now look at the terrain that its on now get a map from some where else and see how much potental terrain is avalible

 

[meat]

hiking after the lifts stop/before opening/when lifts are shut down, is a welcome tradition at Jay.

 

[izzy]

Hunter allows you to hike / ski without issue, on Memorial day when the "sky ride" lift is running you can even but a ticket for a easy ride up.

 

[dmc]

Hunter allows you to hike / ski without issue, on Memorial day when the "sky ride" lift is running you can even but a ticket for a easy ride up.

Just stay out of everyones way and they seem to be cool with it...

I don't think they'll let you on the chair with skis in May thoguh... But who knows...

 

[David Metsky]

The general rule is that there's no general rule. Each ski area has its own policy, regardless of if is on public or private land. Some ski area leases on Forest Service land allow them to restrict access to the public. Just cause it's FS land doesn't mean you have access. Always check with the ski area or be prepared to turn around when confronted.

Having said that, the only two areas in New England that I've heard of kicking people off their terrain after the lifts have closed for the season are Cannon and Wachusett (not sure if this was policy or just a grumpy employee). Most other ski areas don't care once the lifts have stopped.

-dave-

 

[dmc]

One thing about Hunter I'd like to mention after reading Davids post...

DON'T try and go over to the Westside and ski... The caretaker that lives there is very "grumpy"

 

[izzy]

DMC knows best but we have many times gone up with skies,you'll only find a few hundred feet of snow in May but more than enough sno to put the beer in to keep them cold

 

[dmc]

DMC knows best but we have many times gone up with skies

Cool... Maybe I've just never tried..

 

[PowderDeprived]

If I were a resort owner, I would have no problem with people hiking post season simpily because they would be enjoying, and using the snow that my resort would have spent millions to produce, Instead of just melting away in the sun.

 

[izzy]

Hunter has actually embraced this in past years on their web site stating; there is plenty of snow left for who ever wants to earn their turns.

 

[taul]

I got run off from Sunday River a few years ago after a pre-season storm. They threatened prosecution for tresspassing and pulling passes if any of us had one, which I did for the 1st time that year.

We drove around on to Wildcat and had a fantastic early season ski experience.

 

[riverc0il]

I got run off from Sunday River a few years ago after a pre-season storm. They threatened prosecution for tresspassing and pulling passes if any of us had one, which I did for the 1st time that year.

We drove around on to Wildcat and had a fantastic early season ski experience.

if they had snow making operations either setup or in process, there might have been good reason for running people off a hill early. if not, that i have no idea why but they are entirely justified in doing so.

 

[Breeze]

I got run off from Sunday River a few years ago after a pre-season storm. They threatened prosecution for tresspassing and pulling passes if any of us had one, which I did for the 1st time that year.

We drove around on to Wildcat and had a fantastic early season ski experience.

If it isn't well known, let it be now-- at Wildcat, earning turns is totally up to you.. whenever. OF course, you need to MYO Best Manners with your postholing or skinning not to impede those who've paid the freight.


After today at Wildcat ( a workday for me) there is definitely a reason Sunday will be the last day WEATHER PERMITTING ( and WARM RAIN won't help matters).

There will still be turns to be had up top after the lifts close, but these long bluebird days ( 65 degrees today at the bottom of the Quad) are truly reminding us how thin the cover was prior to last Tuesday's storm. Alexa's crew will do what they can to repair, but there isn't a lot of snow to borrow.

It is what it is, take it for what it is. This year, it is Late Spring, way too early.


Breeze

 

[eatskisleep]

If it isn't well known, let it be now-- at Wildcat, earning turns is totally up to you.. whenever. OF course, you need to MYO Best Manners with your postholing or skinning not to impede those who've paid the freight.


After today at Wildcat ( a workday for me) there is definitely a reason Sunday will be the last day WEATHER PERMITTING ( and WARM RAIN won't help matters).

There will still be turns to be had up top after the lifts close, but these long bluebird days ( 65 degrees today at the bottom of the Quad) are truly reminding us how thin the cover was prior to last Tuesday's storm. Alexa's crew will do what they can to repair, but there isn't a lot of snow to borrow.

It is what it is, take it for what it is. This year, it is Late Spring, way too early.


Breeze

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date Breeze; nice to hear from you. It's too bad I couldn't get up this season for one last dat at Wildcat this season. Oh-well, I got in a few good ones earlier this season. Maybe I will hike it later this week? Hmmm... What trails have good bumps (tomcat or Gondi Line)...?
Any changes/plans for the 05/06 Ski Season?
Would Wildcat ever consider a weekend of lift serviced Biking considering you run the Lifts in the Summer Time anyways?

-EatSkiSleep