Uphill Policy
Uphill Access Status: CLOSED
Uphill access remains closed through snowmaking season.
Access will reopen once Chair 1 snowmaking operations are complete and the mountain is cleared by Patrol.
Uphill Travel at Brian Head Resort
Brian Head Resort and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) encourage the use of public lands. The resort operates on both private and public lands under a Special Use Permit from the USFS. This uphill travel policy aims to balance safety concerns with the operational needs of the ski area and the Freedom to Ski.
Access to the resort is at your own risk, whether you have a pass or not. Risks include falling trees and limbs, tree wells, terrain, avalanches, wildlife, snowmaking, snowmobiles, changing weather, and collisions with objects or other skiers.
The mountain environment requires vigilance and caution. Follow all signs and rope lines. If lost or injured after hours or outside the ski area, help may be delayed, and you may be responsible for search and rescue costs. Uphill travel is allowed only on designated routes, by non-motorized means, without interfering with ski area operations like avalanche mitigation, snowmaking, or grooming. Specific routes may change or close due to operations or safety concerns. After-hours users must adhere to the Allowed Equipment listed online (brianhead.com/mountain-safety). Sledding is not permitted at any time.
Uphill Travel Policy
- Pass & Waiver: All uphill users must register online for a free Uphill Access Pass and sign a waiver before use. Carry your pass while on the mountain.
- Access Hours: Uphill travel is only permitted outside of operational hours — after lifts close and before they reopen the next day (see Uphill Travel Hours section below).
- Routes: Uphill travel is restricted to designated routes only (see Designated Route section below).
- Safety Gear: After hours, avalanche conditions are not monitored. Travel at your own risk and always bring an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel, and a buddy.
- Yield & Awareness: Stay to the side of the trail while ascending. Yield to snowmobiles, snowcats, and any grooming or maintenance vehicles. Follow the Skier Responsibility Code (INSERT LINK).
- Terrain Parks: Closed to all uphill traffic during non-operational hours.
- Dogs: Not permitted within the ski area boundary. Leashed dogs are allowed only in base areas per town ordinance.
- Lighting & Visibility: Fluorescent or reflective clothing and a headlamp are strongly recommended for all after-hours use.
- Trespassing: Do not enter lift buildings, patrol huts, or maintenance areas. Failure to comply may result in trespassing charges.
- Emergency Response: Outside operating hours, Brian Head Resort staff are unavailable for rescue. For emergencies, call 911 or Iron County Public Safety at 435-677-2043.
- Environmental Responsibility: If you pack it in, pack it out. Uphill users are responsible for removing their own trash.
Designated Route
1. Start at the parking area at the bottom of Chair 1, Wildflower. Use Caution crossing the skier bridge, watch for snowmobiles and snowcats and yield to any machinery approaching the bridge. Alternatively, walk the town trail to George’s Ski Shop or just North of the Skier Bridge and access the lower section of Kodachrome and lift line.
2. Follow the lift line of Wildflower until it steepens into Apache Pitch, where you head right, onto Moonboggle.
3. Follow Moonboggle all the way to where it branches off from Paiute, cross Paiute and maintain the same direction through the trees, crossing the seasonal Twisted Forest Rd and cross Sugarloaf.
4. Continue onto Shivwits, turning left up Shivwits toward the top of Wildflower Chairlift.
5. When picking your descent route, take extra care to avoid grooming, snowmaking or maintenance vehicles, and yield to any machinery. Descend Ute, Moonboggle, or Kodachrome Trail to return to Chair 1 Parking, depending on vehicular traffic.
Please note that due to the Forest Service Operating Permit, there is no exit from the ski area at the top of Chair 1 for accessing the Navajo Point backcountry. If you wish to ski the backcountry area beyond the resort, please utilize the Bear Flat trailhead area to begin your ascent.
Uphill Travel Hours
Uphill access is permitted during non-operational hours — i.e. after Patrol has cleared all guests at the end of the day and before lifts open in the morning. These times vary daily based on operations, grooming, and snowmaking conditions. Operational hours: Weekdays 10:00am – 4:00pm | Weekends & Peak Periods 9:30am – 4:30pm. See Hours of Operation page for more details.
Uphill access remains closed through snowmaking season until further notice.
Uphill-access times are subject to change based on mountain operations.
Safety Reminders
- Stay visible at all times.
- Avoid groomers, winch cat cables, and snowmaking hoses.
- Helmets are recommended for all ski rea users.
- The restrooms at the bottom of Chair 1, Wildflower, remain open 24 hours and are appropriate for after hours use.
- If you leave the resort boundary, you must do so from a marked exit point.
- Uphill Access may close without notice during snowmaking or avalanche mitigation.
Violating closures may result in pass revocation or loss of uphill privileges.
Form and Waiver
You are required to have an Uphill Access pass on you while climbing/skiing during Uphill hours. Register for your 2024/2025 Uphill Access pass here.
