Uphill Policy
Tickets & Passes
If you do not have a regular winter season pass, you must purchase an uphill-only day ticket ($18) or an uphill-only season pass ($145) from Base Lodge Tickets & Information or shop.skiwhitefish.com.
Your uphill pass or ticket will be printed on a 4-by-6-inch card, which must be clearly visible to ski patrol during your ascent. We recommend securing it to your pack, helmet, pants or bibs. You also must carry a photo ID. Anyone without a pass or ticket will be instructed to turn around.
Uphill season passes are complimentary with the purchase of any regular winter season pass. If you wish to use your complimentary pass, it is your responsibility to pick it up from the Base Lodge in order to display it during your ascent. Again, anyone without a pass or ticket will be instructed to turn around.
Uphill Map
Please Read Carefully
Whitefish Mountain Resort hosts a passionate community of skiers and riders who like to ascend the mountain the old-fashioned way. For the safety of all our guests, uphill travel rules are in effect anytime there is snow on the mountain to turn on. The rules govern which routes you can take to the summit and when. We worked closely with the U.S. Forest Service to craft our uphill policy, and it’s codified in Forest Service Order No. D08-115-L-14.
These rules are about safety. Limiting uphill travel to the specified routes and times allows our team to conduct important resort projects and routine maintenance. It also reduces the likelihood of serious accidents on our slopes – collisions between uphill and downhill skiers, as well as encounters with grooming and snowmaking equipment. The uphill policy is designed to protect you, your fellow guests and our employees.
Please read this guide to understand the policy, know the approved routes up and down the mountain at certain times throughout the year, and safely enjoy your trek up the mountain!
Must-Know Rules
Stay away from heavy machinery. No matter the time of year, the Forest Service order requires skiers and hikers to stay at least 100 feet from all grooming machines, whether moving or stationary, and at least 50 feet from all snowmaking equipment, including fan guns, high-pressure water lines and high-voltage electrical cables.
Stay out of the way. While ascending, keep to the edge of the route and never hike more than two people side by side. Don’t hike in the middle of a ski run.
Look up. Yield to downhill skiers and snowboarders. Chances are they’re moving faster than you, and they may not be able to stop in time if you end up on a collision course.
Don’t ski in closed areas. They’re closed for a reason, such as avalanche mitigation or dangerous weather conditions. It is your responsibility to pay attention to signage and be aware of any temporary closures that may be in effect. Additionally, always double-check the times in the uphill policy to ensure you're using approved downhill routes.
Leave Fido at home. During the winter operating season, dogs are not permitted beyond the parking areas of the resort. Dogs are allowed on the slopes during the pre- and post-seasons but must be leashed and controlled at all times, in accordance with Forest Service regulations.
Don’t hike with a child or infant in a backpack-style carrier. Due to various hazards on the mountain, this would pose an unnecessary risk of injury to both you and the child.
Routes & Parking
Except for specified times outside the winter operating season, all uphill travel is limited to two routes. The routes are marked with red diamond-shaped signs with the word “UPHILL” printed on them. Both routes begin at the Spruce parking lot and end at the summit. Uphillers are required to park in the Spruce lot between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The Benny Up Route (also called the Toni Matt Route) begins at the Spruce lot, follows the western edge of Chipmunk (under Chair 6) to the lift plaza, then follows the western edge of Toni Matt to the summit.
The East Route begins at the Spruce lot, crosses the bridge toward the Ski & Ride School, then follows lower Inspiration, Expressway, Moe Mentum and upper Russ’s Street to the summit.
Dates & Times
The uphill rules vary throughout the year. The important periods to note are the resort’s operating season (when the chairlifts are open to skiers and riders) and the pre- and post-seasons (14 days before and 14 days after the operating season). The ski season schedule can be found here.
During the pre- and post-seasons (14 days before and 14 days after the operating season):
The East Route is the only approved route for uphill and downhill traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No route restrictions are in effect before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
During the operating season (any day chairlifts are open to skiers and riders):
All uphill and downhill traffic is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Benny Up Route is open for uphill traffic from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The East Route is open for uphill traffic from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Before chairlift operating hours — from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. — the Benny Up Route is the only approved route for downhill traffic.
After chairlift operating hours — from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. — the East Route is the only approved route for downhill traffic.