Your Guide to Uphill Skiing in Aspen

This post has been updated with information about Aspen Snowmass's updated Uphilling Policy, enacted during the 2021-22 ski season. 

Once a fringe winter sport, uphill skiing is now one of the fastest-growing winter activities, according to Snowsports Industries America. In Aspen, it has been fully embraced by locals, guests, innovative gear companies, and, unlike most North American ski resorts, the operators of our four ski mountains – the Aspen Skiing Company.

Uphill skiing, also known as uphilling, skinning, or alpine touring, involves traveling up a mountain on skis or a split board, using specialized equipment including skins and touring boots and bindings. Making your own way, at your own pace up the mountain gives uphillers the time to take in the mountain scenery, which is normally not focused on when flying past on downhill skis. In addition to the views, skinning is great for exercise and a true full-body skiing experience.

At the top of the climb, uphillers transition their ski or snowboard settings, as well as their clothing, so they can then ski down the route they just hiked. And finishing a climb is not only just finishing a workout; it’s reaching the top of a mountain, which brings a much greater sense of achievement to many skinners.

Those who are enthusiastic “skinners” enjoy the physicality and beautiful surroundings – all within the safety of inbounds ski terrain.

THE GEAR

Much of the gear for uphilling looks quite similar to downhill skis. However, the boots are equipped with both ski and hike modes and the uber lightweight skis are fitted with free-heel bindings that help with ascending the mountain. To keep from sliding down the mountain, climbing skins – adhesive, carpet-like coverings – are affixed to the bottom of the skis.

Renting alpine touring gear is easy in Aspen. You’ll find everything you need from free-heel bindings to climbing skins at all the local outfitters. We recommend Four Mountain Sports and Ute Mountaineer.

Don’t forget: Consult with your rental technician about your gear before heading out. There’s nothing worse than making it to the top of the mountain and not know how to transition your bindings so you can ski down!

WHAT TO WEAR

Don’t underestimate the importance of your apparel. When making your way up the mountain, you will get hot and will probably shed a few layers. However, once you reach the top of the climb, you will want to put those layers back on for the descent.

UPHILLING ROUTES IN ASPEN SNOWMASS

Aspen Snowmass now required uphillers to purchase and display an Uphilling Pass. 

Aspen Snowmass is one of the few ski resorts that allows uphilling during normal lift operations. There are several resort-wide policies, including the requirement to stay in designated routes and only uphill between the hours between 5 a.m. and 10: 30 p.m., and each mountain has its own policy. Read on to see where you can strap on your skins and go for a tour.

Please note that policies may be updated at any time. Download and check the Aspen Snowmass app for the most updated information.

ASPEN MOUNTAIN

• Uphilling hours: Before 9 a.m. and after 4:45 p.m.
• Dogs: Not permitted
• Designated route: America’s Uphill course, which starts up the Little Nell run to Bingo Slot, Spar Gulch, left into Deer Park and onto Silver Bell.
• Full Aspen Mountain Uphill Policy >>

ASPEN HIGHLANDS

• Uphilling hours: All day, 7 days a week. Uphillers must be to Merry Go Round by 8: 30 a.m. to be able to proceed to higher areas.
• Dogs: Permitted before and after operational hours. Dogs must be under voice control or on a leash so as not to bother other guests or wildlife. Please pick up any pet waste and pack it out with you.
• Designated route: Jerome Bowl to Park Avenue to Memory Lane all the way to the Merry-Go-Round.
• Full Aspen Highlands Uphill Policy >> 

BUTTERMILK

• Uphilling hours: All day, 7 days a week
• Dogs: Permitted before and after operational hours. Dogs must be under voice control or on a leash so as not to bother other guests or wildlife. Please pick up any pet waste and pack it out with you.
• Designated routes:
  • On the main mountain, the route follows the orange disks up Columbine from the base, snakes back in the woods and then crosses Midway Avenue to Ridge Trail to the top.
  • The Tiehack route goes up Eagle Hill to Ptarmigan, for the most part on skier’s left / ascender's right.
  • The West Buttermilk route goes up Teaser to the Bridge, under the bridge and up to Ridge Trail to the top.
  • Official Buttermilk Uphill Policy >>

SNOWMASS

• Uphilling hours: All day, 7 days a week
• Dogs: Permitted before and after operational hours. Dogs must be under voice control or on a leash so as not to bother other guests or wildlife. Please pick up any pet waste and pack it out with you.
• Designated routes:

• Two Creeks: Cascade to top of Funnel around Causeway (bottom of L10) to EC restaurant.

• High Alpine Restaurant: Fanny Hill to McNamara Ridge to Coffee Pot to HA Restaurant.

• Sam’s Knob: Fanny Hill to TOV headwall/Dawdler to Lower Velvet Falls to Upper Velvet Falls to mid-station of VX to Coney Glade Trail to Banzai Ridge to top of Knob. Continue up the right side of Sneaky’s to top of the Burn

• Elk Camp: Base Village to Funnel up to Elk Camp Restaurant.

• Snowmass's Official Uphill Policy >>

SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN ROAD | Hiking only

Access this hiking trail via the free RFTA Hunter Creek shuttle. Put on your stabilizers and hike up the well-trodden trail that features views of downtown Aspen and the surrounding mountains the entire way. When you reach the observation deck, snap a photo and head back down.

Safety, Etiquette & Tips

• Begin early — many routes have time restrictions (e.g. Aspen Highlands via MGR).
• Check avalanche conditions and weather forecasts.
• Carry the “10 essentials” (transceiver, shovel, probe, extra layers, etc.).
• Travel single-file on narrow trails, announce when passing or descending.
• Be respectful of others, hikers, or patrollers on route

Stay & Experience with Frias Properties

Planning your stay while pursuing uphill adventures? Our Aspen & Snowmass mountain rental homes, condos, and ski-in properties put you close to the action.

Browse ski-in / ski-out condos, vacation homes, and more.
Use our concierge team to arrange uphill passes, gear delivery, or guided skinning tours. Browse our available rentals in Aspen Snowmass today and get ready for a fantastic ski vacation, uphilling, and all!