snowsports
safety
2024-25 Uphill Access Policy
Ski Cooper allows uphill traffic with limited restrictions. There are guidelines that all uphill users must follow to promote safety and to minimize conflicts between grooming operations, snowmobile traffic, downhill skiers, and any other activities that might be taking place at any time on the mountain, day and night.
Please be aware that no ski area services, including Ski Patrol, are available during hours that the ski area is not open for business. Please call 911 in the event of an emergency during non-operational hours. You are responsible for your own safety at all times while skiing on the property.
Please note: Dogs, and any other pets, are not permitted on the mountain or in the base area of Ski Cooper at any time, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from 12/2/2024 to 4/25/2025, unless it is a Service Animal.
Uphill access is an activity that Ski Cooper permits in the interest of promoting the enjoyment of the Ski Area and the National Forest. This policy is intended to enhance the mountain experience for users of all kinds. Please remember, uphill access is a privilege and not a right.
 Uphill access during operating hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) is conditioned upon purchasing either a Cooper Season Pass or Cooper Day Pass for access, and signing Cooper’s “UPHILL ACCESS POLICY AND USER GUIDELINES AGREEMENT” prior to visiting Cooper. Your Season or Day Pass validation is loaded onto your Cooper Card (RFID Card). Your Cooper Card will be scanned at Cooper’s “Port of Entry.” Ski Patrol will periodically check uphill routes during operating hours and may ask uphill users to stop and show their card. The card is required in order to gain access to Cooper during operating hours, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Complimentary (free) non-lift served uphill access to the ski area is available between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM subject to the conditions and rules set forth below. All uphill users without a valid season or day pass must complete their activity and be off the mountain no later than 8:45 AM, 15 minutes before the lifts run.
All those participating in Uphill Access activities between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM are required to read and sign Cooper’s “UPHILL ACCESS POLICY AND USER GUIDELINES AGREEMENT” which can be found on the Cooper website (click here). If you are accessing the Area outside of operating hours, Cooper strongly recommends that you wear fluorescent and/or reflective clothing visible from all directions to increase visibility, as well as a light source, such as a head lamp.
Uphill Access Conditions & Rules:
- Ski Cooper reserves the right to prohibit uphill access at any time for special events, on-mountain operations, weather, safety concerns, or any reason deemed necessary by Ski Cooper Management. Uphill access may be restricted due to avalanche mitigation efforts or ski area construction and maintenance activities.
- From 12/2/2024 through 4/25/2025, there are 3 designated uphill routes. These designated routes are the only approved ways uphill during operating hours, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and during daily closing procedures from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Looker’s left of Trail’s End is the front side uphill route; looker’s left of Ambush is the back side uphill route; looker’s right of Low Road/High Road to Motherlode Flats is the route from the Tennessee Creek Basin. Follow the yellow Uphill Route signs as you go. If a trail that is a designated uphill access route is closed for any reason, or due to events on the mountain, the uphill route may be moved to another trail. Look for the yellow uphill signs and follow them. From 4:30PM to 8:00AM (overnight), uphill access is allowed on all trails except those that are closed and those on which grooming operations are taking place (see the night’s grooming plan and trail report located on the screen at the bottom of the 10th Mountain Double Chairlift located on the east side of the Base Lodge just beside the Maze). If there is a snowcat on the trail, uphill use and downhill skiing are prohibited on that trail. If you were unaware that a trail was being groomed, please safely leave the trail as soon as you see or hear the snowcat. A map of the designated uphill routes appears on the “uphill access” page on the Cooper website and hard copies are available at the Guest Services Window at the Base Lodge.
- All uphillers must have a valid lift ticket or pass to ride up any lifts, or to enter the area to uphill during the operating day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
- Be vigilant when ascending. The Area conducts operations on the mountain and in the base area 24 hours a day. Many of these operations continue year-round. Snowcats, snowmobiles, trucks, ATVs, skiers, riders, other Uphill Access users, etc. may be encountered at any time. Keep as far away as possible from all machinery: grooming operations may occur at any time and on any trail, stay away; stay completely off trails that are in the process of being groomed.
- Uphillers must stay on the side of the trail and remain visible at all times.
- Uphillers must be aware of downhill traffic and avoid blind spots.
- Other than Service Animals and Patrol Dogs, no dogs or other pets are permitted on the mountain 24/7 between 12/2/2024 and 4/25/2025.
- Obey all closures, ropes, signs and warnings no matter what time of day or season. During the operating season Uphill Access users may not enter any trails, slopes, or areas that have not been opened for the season or that are marked “Closed” for any period or reason, as safety markings and pads may not be in place, and grooming, trail checks, construction, etc. may not be completed or may still be in progress and trees and limbs or other obstacles may be blocking terrain. If you are found ducking ropes and/or in closed areas, your access privileges may be revoked for the season.
- Access to all terrain parks is prohibited outside of normal operating hours, unless for an event authorized by Cooper Management.
- All Uphill Access users must abide by all Area policies and rules, follow Area employee directions and instructions, and all Colorado State laws. Remember, if you are using any Area facilities, under Colorado law you are considered a “skier” and must abide by the CO Ski Safety Act.
- As an Uphill Access user, accessing the Area before or after operating hours is at your own risk and Ski Patrol services are unavailable. If rescue or medical care or other emergency assistance is required, call 911. Response time and rescue may be protracted, and cellular service may be limited or unavailable. Ski Cooper recommends always traveling with a partner.
- If traveling on the mountain at dusk, at night, in the early morning, in a whiteout, fog, or other conditions of low light and/or low visibility, fluorescent and/or reflective clothing visible from all directions is highly recommended to increase visibility, as well as a light source, such as a head lamp. It is your responsibility to avoid any vehicles and/or equipment also on the mountain.
- If your presence on Area property presents a hazard or the Area’s staff believes that you are impeding any Area operations, you may be directed to use a different location or to leave. You must follow any such direction.
- Wildlife may be encountered at any time on Area property. Moose, bears, coyotes, etc. can be very dangerous. It is your responsibility to be aware of wildlife and keep your distance if encountered.
- If, as an Uphill Access user, you decide to leave the Area boundary, you are responsible for understanding the risks. You may not enter, leave, or re-enter the Area boundary by crossing any ropes, closed gates, closed signs, or other boundary markers. The only authorized National Forest backcountry access point from Ski Cooper is located in the North Basin, just east of the base of the Piney Basin Triple Lift.
Respecting these rules preserves this privilege. Failure to follow these rules could result in the loss of skiing and riding privileges. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Drone Policy
Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Ski Cooper (“Resort”) prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, without prior written authorization from the Resort. To read the entire Drone Policy, please click the link above to Cooper’s Terrain Access Policy, wherein the full Drone Policy is located.
PLEASE NOTE:
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. The Ski Safety Act includes, CLIFFS, EXTREME TERRAIN, JUMPS AND FREESTYLE TERRAIN as inherent dangers and risks of the sport.
Equipment
Cooper’s lifts and trails are available to guests using alpine skis, telemark skis, traditional snowboards, and certified adaptive equipment. This equipment must have metal edges, bindings, and brakes or a leash/retention device. Foot traffic (pedestrians) are not allowed on aerial or surface lifts. For clarity and convenience, here are lists of equipment allowed and not allowed on the mountain:
We take safety very seriously.
Click here to learn more about safe practices for your day on the slopes.
ALLOWED
- Alpine skis (with metal edges and brakes)
- Snowboards (with metal edges and leash)
- Telemark skis (with metal edges and leash/retention device)
- Monoskis (with metal edges and retention device)
- Certified adaptive equipment designed for persons with a disability
- Snowshoes may be used on designated uphill routes (a valid day pass or season pass is required during operating hours)
NOT ALLOWED
- Snowdecks
- Snowskates
- Skiskates
- Toboggans
- Sleds/discs/toboggans of any kind
- Snowscooters
- Snowbikes of any kind
- Innertubes
- Airboards
- Ghosky
- Snowmobiles or power equipment of any kind
- Any other equipment not expressly listed in the “ALLOWED” list may be disallowed at the discretion of Ski Cooper management
slide in control
slide in control
Ski / Snowboard (verb): the act of sliding downhill on snow strapped to waxed wooden planks / plank for sport or recreation.
Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous, and there are inherent risks involved. You can help to keep yourself and others around you safe by following the tenets of Cooper’s SLIDE IN CONTROL program.
PLAN AHEAD – Be knowledgeable of snow conditions and trail closings before hitching a ride to the top of the mountain.
WEAR A HELMET – Donning proper headgear has been shown to offer a degree of protection from head injuries.
READ THE SIGNS – Spot, read, and obey all signage both in the base area and on the mountain; signs exist to help you, not to restrict you.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS – Don’t be overconfident, make proper trail selections based on your actual ability level, not the Olympic level you dream about.
KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL – Be alert for, and spot other skiers and riders around you, as well as objects.
CONTROL YOURSELF – Maintain safe speeds and distances from other skiers/riders and objects so that you are able to slow down or stop to avoid collisions.
TAKE A BREAK – Take a timeout to rest, hydrate, and eat even before you start to feel thirsty and fatigued. And don’t overexert yourself for that “one last run” at the end of the day.
SKI SAFETY ACT – Read it and understand your duties as a “skier” in the state of Colorado.
YOUR
responsibility code
Ten Points to Your Responsibility Code
1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. if you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
KNOW THE CODE: IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST.
BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS.
SMART
style it
together to emphasize the importance of safety in terrain parks across the
country. Please visit the www.TerrainParkSafety.org for a comprehensive look at the
Smart Style program.
Park Smart Terrain Park Safety Points:
START SMALL – Work your way up. Build your skills.
MAKE A PLAN – Every feature. Every time.
ALWAYS LOOK – Before you drop.
RESPECT – The features and other users.
TAKE IT EASY – Know your limits. Land on your feet.
TRAIL
signs
Here’s what they mean:
Green Circle:Â Easier
Blue Square:Â More Difficult
Black Diamond:Â Most Difficult
Double-Black Diamond:Â Most Difficult, use extra caution
Orange Oval:Â Freestyle Terrain.
You’ll find them on trail maps and posted on signs on the mountain. The same trail symbols are used at every resort in the country, but as Albert Einstein must have said, “It’s all relative.” A Green Circle trail at Jackson Hole, Wyo., might be as tough as a Blue Square at Sunlight, Colo. Not a big deal. The trail ratings are consistent within each resort. So all the “Greens” at a ski area will be about the same difficulty, as will the “Blues” and the “Blacks.”
Before you ride a lift during your first few days, make sure you can handle the trails at the top. Some skiers think they can improve by skiing tough terrain when their skills aren’t up to that level, but that’s a good way to get hurt. Instead, take a lesson. Check your trail map and make sure the trail symbols off of that lift fit your ability. If you have any questions or need directions, go talk to a lift attendant or anyone in a resort uniform. “What’s the easiest way down?” “Where’s the closest groomed trail?” “What’s the capital of New Guinea?” They want you to have fun nearly as much as you do.
