The Ski Santa Fe uphill access policy is intended to educate users about the inherent risks of these activities, and each user assumes the risk of these activities and acknowledges there are both natural and human-made hazards and inherent risks associated with these activities. Uphill access is an activity that Ski Santa Fe allows as the permittee with the US Forest Service and supports uphill users in the interest of increasing the public’s enjoyment of the National Forest.

Ski Santa Fe reserves the right to prohibit uphill access at any time due to special events, weather, or for any other reason deemed necessary by Ski Santa Fe Management.

Uphill users are considered skiers under the New Mexico Ski Safety Act and are required to adhere to their duties stated in the Act and are governed by the Act in the activities, including legal restrictions on recovery for any injuries, damages or death. Additionally, uphill skiers should comply with the specific items located within the NSAA Skier’s Responsibility Code. READ THE ACT AND THE CODE BEFORE YOU SKI.

---

Uphill Travel Guidelines:

1. Use situational awareness when ascending. The ski area conducts operations on the mountain 24 hours a day – before, during, and after the ski season. Users may encounter snowcats, winch cats & winch cables, snowmobiles, trucks, skiers/riders, and other types of operations at any time.

2. Stay to the side, or off, groomed trails and maintain single file if ascending with others.

3. DO NOT CROSS EXPOSED SNOWMAKING LINES AT ANY TIME OR INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH SNOWMAKING OPERATIONS. Crossed bamboo sticks or similar markings may indicate a surface line, parallel vertical bamboo sticks or similar markings may indicate a snow-bridge over lines. ALWAYS USE CAUTION. NOT EVERYTHING IS OR CAN BE MARKED.

4. Be aware of others on the mountain and endeavor to remain visible from above.

5. Uphill traffic in Terrain Parks must stay to the side and out of landing zones. If you did not enter the park at the designated entrance, do not ascend through the park.

6. In low light conditions wear reflective clothing visible from all directions, such as a vest, armband, belt, reflective clothing or pack, headlamp, etc.

Respect Closures and Mountain Operations:

1. Uphill users must obey all signs, warnings, and snowmaking closures. Winch cat operations may be occurring. DO NOT under ANY circumstances, ski/ride near any snowcats or grooming operations. WINCH CAT CABLES MAY EXTEND UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FROM THE SNOWCAT AND ARE NOT EASY TO SEE. STAY FAR AWAY FROM ANY WORKING SNOWCATS AND DO NOT CROSS ANY TRAIL ABOVE OR BELOW WHERE THEY ARE WORKING.

2. Avalanche terrain may or may not be closed. Avalanche mitigation may be in progress at any time during the early morning, daytime, or dusk. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to avoid areas where these activities may be in progress. Please check in with ski patrol if in question. If unsure, avoid traveling in or under any steep terrain.

3. It is unlawful to board any of the lifts without a valid lift ticket or season pass. Anyone utilizing uphill access privileges to access upper mountain lifts without a valid lift ticket or pass will be subject to the loss of all pass privileges at the resort for an extended period and may be prosecuted for theft under New Mexico law.

4. If you decide to leave the ski area boundary, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for understanding the risks and having the necessary equipment to do it safely. The Santa Fe Watershed is under permanent Federal Closure. THE SKI AREA SKI PATROL DOES NOT PATROL OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.

5. Ski patrol services are also NOT AVAILABLE outside of normal operating hours. Call 911 in case of emergency. Cell service may be unavailable, and rescue may be lengthy. Make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

6. During the ski season, parking lot gates are unlocked only during operating hours; these hours are posted on the entrance gate (don’t get locked inside!)

7. Dogs must be leashed in the base area, on runs with active downhill traffic, and on the mountain during operating hours 8:00AM to 5:00PM.

8. Outside the above hours and the base area, dogs must be leashed or under demonstrable verbal control at all times.

9. Please clean up after your dog by moving feces off groomed terrain.

Enforcement:

Any violation of the Ski Santa Fe Uphill Policy may result in any or all of the following:

• Loss of ski privileges at Ski Santa Fe for any amount of time, including permanent loss.

• Notification/reporting to Ski Patrol, Forest Service, State Police, and/or Santa Fe County Sheriff Law Enforcement for enforcement purposes, including criminal laws.