High Altitude Environment: Some visitors may experience flu-like symptoms triggered by Vail’s high altitude. Symptoms may include but are not limited to: headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, restless sleep, coughing and difficulty breathing. Please make sure to allow your body time to adjust to the attitude especially if you are traveling from sea level. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat and watch your alcohol intake. If symptoms persist or you have a concern about your health, please stop into one of Vail’s Ski Patrol outposts or call (970)-754-4610.
Electronic Devices: Vail Resorts strongly discourages the use of personal entertainment and communication devices and/or any other electronic equipment that utilizes head/ear phones while skiing and/or snowboarding, or loading and unloading lifts.
Cell Phones: Please familiarize yourself with important on-mountain phone numbers. Make sure you and your family members have a way to contact one another in the event of an emergency and please set up an emergency meeting spot.
Numbers to know:
Vail Ski Patrol: 970-754-4610
On-Mountain Emergency: 970-754-1111
Vail Security: 970-754-3049
Lift Safety: Under Colorado state law, you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or use the lift safely, or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to use the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Backcountry Awareness: Pursuant to the Colorado Ski Safety Act, the ski area assumes no responsibility for skiers traveling beyond the ski area boundary. To access the backcountry, use designated gates only. Areas beyond the ski area boundary are not patrolled, maintained or controlled. Avalanches, unmarked obstacles and other natural hazards exist. Be aware: the backcountry avalanche hazard may be extreme. Rescue in the backcountry, if available, is the responsibility of the Summit County Sheriff. It will be costly and will take time. Please educate yourself on the current avalanche conditions and the use of rescue equipment.
Caution Cats Working: You may encounter snowcats, snowmobiles and snowmaking equipment at any time on the mountain. Please give all on-mountain vehicles space.
Non-lift Uphill Access Policy
Vail Resorts, Inc. and the United States Forest Service encourage use of public land. Users should be aware that the public lands comprising Vail ski area are under permit to Vail Resorts, Inc. (VR) by the United States Forest Services (USFS). While enjoying these permitted lands, users must abide by VR and USFS’s restrictions and recommendations, including those summarized below.
The following summary of restrictions and recommendations for Uphill Access to Vail Mountain is provided for your information and education and is available in all ticket offices. Other restrictions may exist from time to time.
1. Use of Ski Area Facilities
Under Colorado law, any person using any of the facilities of a ski area is considered a skier. Skier’s responsibilities under Colorado law include, but may not be limited to, controlling speed and course at all times and maintaining a proper outlook. Using a ski area for any purpose can be HAZARDOUS and the skier assume all risks.
WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing including: Changing weather conditions, existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collision with natural objects, man-made objects or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
NOTE:
The Ski Safety Act was amended in 2004 to includes CLIFFS, EXTREME TERRAIN, JUMPS AND FREESTYLE TERRAIN as inherent dangers and risks of the sport.
2. Year-round Mountain Operations
Be aware that roads and trails on Vail Mountain may be used for many purposes and that construction and or maintenance activities take place 24 hours per day, on most days. You may encounter vehicles on any road or trail at any time; be very cautious and yield the right-of-way. Additionally, obey all posted warnings and trail closures.
3. Fall Mountain Preparation
The ski area begins operations during the fall to prepare the slopes and trails for opening. Activities may include snowmaking and snowcat operations. Areas in which activities are taking place may be closed from the bottom of Vail Mountain; in these cases, a “closed” sign will be placed in the bottom of the closed area to inform those hiking uphill of the closure. When such closures exist, only authorized personnel are permitted in the area. When such closures are in place, you must select an appropriate alternate route.
4. Vehicles
In accordance with a USFS Supervisor’s closure, no vehicles are allowed on Vail Mountain unless they have specific authority from VR.
5. Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Etc.
Cross-country skiers, snowshoers and hikers are bound by Colorado Skier Safety Act, as amended, and should abide by Your Responsibility Code.
Skiers must not impede or obstruct ski area operations at any time. When engaged in any of these activities one should:
During the Day:
1. Stay towards the side of the trail.
2. Position yourself so that you are visible from above.
3. Wear brightly colored clothing.
4. Keep dogs on a reasonably short leash.
5. Obey all pertinent signage.
During the Night:
5. Abide by all of the above-described recommendations.
6. Wear reflective materials.
7. Carry a light.
6. Beware of snowmobiles and grooming equipment
In accordance with a USFS Supervisor’s closure, snowmobiles are only permitted on Vail Mountain when owned or authorized by VR. Any such snowmobile operators must be qualified, their snowmobile registered and both must comply with pertinent safety requirements. Snowmobile use not authorized by VR is strictly prohibited.
7. Sliding Devices
Use of sliding devices, including, but not limited to, sleds, tower pads, plastic sheets and the like are strictly prohibited unless their use is specifically approved by VR and conducted in a supervised and designated area.
8. Mountain Bikes
During the winter operating season, the use of mountain bikes on Vail Mountain is strictly prohibited.