Wilderness Uphill Route: OPEN
Timberline Uphill Route: CLOSED
The Timberline route is closed daily from 9pm-5am.
Nordic Skiing: OPEN
Backcountry / Snowshoe Conditions: OPEN
Uphill access NEVER permitted to the top of Vista Peak. Dogs NEVER permitted on downhill ski or bike trails. Snowshoes NEVER permitted within Alpine ski resort – including the designated uphill routes.
Must have valid NBU ticket or season pass – if you have a season pass, come on by the Backcountry & Nordic Center or Ticket Cube for your Velcro strap so our ticket checkers can quickly see you’re good to go via visual inspection (wear on arm, poles or bag as you see fit). If buying and NBU ticket for a specific day, we’re going with some of our old school ticket stock for that so you can dangle from your coat like the good ol’ days. Can get at Ticket Cube or Backcountry & Nordic Center during operating hours or show your proof of online purchase screenshot on your phone to ticket checkers if you’re going when those outlets aren’t open. See current operating hours HERE.
Buy NBU Ticket HERE ($20 midweek | $40 peak weekends)
Shop NBU Season Passes HERE
If you’re interested in buying some used equipment from us for the season, we got you!
IF/WHEN we open up trail access prior to lifts opening, a friendly reminder from our Uphill Policy below: Ski Patrol is not available and will not respond unless the lifts are operating and open to the public. Call 911 in case of Emergency. Carry a fully charged cell phone and know your specific location, including trail names. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life.
Wilderness Uphill Route is ONLY CLOSED when marked.
Timberline Uphill Route is ALWAYS CLOSED:
DAILY from 9pm to 5am
Uphill route is at your own risk, please use caution and know your ability.
Check Out The Latest Bolton Backcountry Trip Reports HERE
And a recording of our Uphill Community Forum Webinar Feb 7, 2022 with President Lindsay, Backcountry Director Adam, and Patrol Director Kaitlyn HERE
All uphill traffic on the mountain must have a valid ticket or pass – Buy/Reload NBU Tickets HERE
We have 2 Designated Uphill Routes – one off Timberline and one off Wilderness (in green here):
Bolton Valley Uphill Policy Winter 2025-2026
1. Please put your skins on and start skiing before you reach the Wilderness Lift shack. There’s a nice clearing just below there (next to Ski Patrol) which is a great place to get geared up and start your climb. Thank you!
2. Please access the Wilderness Uphill Route via the main base lodge or Nordic trailhead only. Ski and Foot traffic is prohibited on Nature Trail Lane and Ardec Lane behind the base lodge except when crossing from X-country trails to stairway leading to Backcountry & Nordic Center and/or Ski Patrol and Wilderness Lift.
3. All uphill traffic – at all times – requires a day ticket or season pass. Tickets will be available 24/7 on our website BoltonValley.com when NBU (Nordic, Backcountry, and Uphill) terrain is “open.”
4. Ski Patrol is not available and will not respond unless the lifts are operating and open to the public. Call 911 in case of Emergency. Carry a fully charged cell phone and know your specific location, including trail names. Practice “check-in” texts or calls with a friend at the start and finish of your outings. Be aware that cell phone service is inconsistent in the mountain environment, and cold temperatures reduce battery life.
5. Uphill travel on alpine trails is confined to designated uphill routes only and limited to skinning and touring only. Snowshoes and foot traffic are not allowed on alpine trails, as well as dogs are NOT ALLOWED. Snowshoes are permitted on all Nordic and Backcountry terrain and trails, but boot packing and foot traffic are not allowed on any trails or backcountry zone.
We encourage skiers and riders to explore uphill touring on familiar terrain. Our Backcountry Center has a full fleet of splitboards and alpine touring equipment for rent, as well as introductory clinics and group tours. Private backcountry instruction and guide services are also available on request and are highly recommended when venturing out of marked zones and beyond ski area boundaries. Check out our Backcountry Suggested Gear Guide here, while you’re at it.
Rules
Please read and follow these simple rules to keep uphill touring safe and fun for everybody:
Even during off-hours, there are still operations happening. You may encounter mountain machinery at any time.
Stay off trails that are currently being groomed and all areas with active snowmaking equipment. When encountering mountain operations staff and vehicles, please move out of the way, stay visible and collected as a group, and stop any uphill or downhill movement until they pass by.
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for you and your fellow uphillers tour in a single file line. Snowcats and our mountain operation crew work early mornings and late nights which means they will be on trails with motorized vehicles that might encounter your group. If this does happy please, move out of the way so they may pass by you and your fellow uphillers safely.
Wear bright colored or reflective gear and use a light. This will help the mountain operations crew to see you and for you to keep track of each other. Also, be mindful of your surroundings. You need to be able to hear! Inner ear headphones are not appropriate when traveling uphill on our alpine / lift serviced terrain. When you hear snowcats and/or snow machines approaching, please cede the right of way and respect our mountain operations personnel. This may seem like common sense, but it is not nearly common enough, unfortunately. Please keep your eyes and ears active when transitioning at the bottom or top of your run within the Wilderness and Timberline Alpine Lift Loading and Unloading areas in particular, even if the lift isn’t currently spinning. Essentially, you are probably on a Work Road that our Mountain Ops frequently pass through, no matter the time of day or day of the week.
Have a plan, and everyone sticks to it. Skiing together helps you keep track of each other on the way down and will help our staff to see you. Share your plan with someone outside your party and communicate with them when you return.
No Dogs – Dogs are not allowed on the mountain. We love our furry friends, but please leave them at home; dogs pose a safety risk to you, themselves, other guests, and the mountain operations crew.
Ski and snowboarding terrain with grooming, snowmaking and other mountain operations in progress is not compatible with sledding.
There will be times when uphill routes are closed due to weather conditions or other reasons. Do not seek an alternate route, consider the mountain closed to uphill traffic. Please check the Bolton Valley website snow report before proceeding and heed all posted closings, warnings, and other comments.
Snowmaking equipment poses serious hazards, especially in the dark. Snow may be wet and heavy and usually inconsistent with snow elsewhere on the mountain. Hoses stretch between guns and across trails and terrain. DO NOT ski in an area, zone, or on any ski trail with hoses, lines, or equipment present. These hoses contain high -pressure water and electricity and any contact with them is extremely dangerous.
Please remove all trash and personal items. Leave the mountain environment as you found it or better. For more information, please visit Leave No Trace’s website
Respect the mountain buildings, lifts, and other Bolton Valley structures. Please only access uphill routes via Bolton Valley Property. Residential Condominium buildings adjacent to the resort are private property – please respect residents’ spaces by not cutting through their parking and residential areas except where clearly designated with specific signage.
Respect any BV staff you encounter and consider them as voices of authority. Follow any instructions or warnings they may give. Please avoid areas designated for authorized use only – specifically where mountain operations vehicles are parked or in operation.
Vermont Law provides that you may be liable for all expenses resulting from search and rescue efforts beyond the ski-area boundary or outside operating hours.
WARNING:
SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT, WATER/POWER LINES, SNOWCATS, SNOW MACHINES, MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HAZARDS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME ON THE MOUNTAIN, IN ANY SEASON. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN. ALWAYS DISPLAY A LIGHT AND WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING.
WHEN ENCOUNTERING MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS STAFF AND VEHICLES, PLEASE MOVE OUT OF THE WAY AND STOP ANY UPHILL OR DOWNHILL MOVEMENT UNTIL THEY PASS BY.
PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE MOUNTAIN. NO RESCUE SERVICES OR TERRAIN MANAGEMENT CAN BE EXPECTED OUTSIDE THE CURRENTLY OPEN NORDIC OR LIFT SERVICED TERRAIN.
During lift serviced hours, call (802) 434-6823. If there is no response call 911
Please respect this beautiful place and enjoy your time on the mountain!