With the ski season coming to an end, now is a great time to be reminded that uphill skiing at closed resorts isn’t always allowed. Yes, some ski areas allow ski touring when the season has concluded, but many ski resorts don’t, and breaking their rules can lead to legal trouble.
A Colorado skier learned that ski touring at closed resorts isn’t always allowed after being issued a summons at Copper Mountain last week for disregarding a closure and continuing uphill despite warnings from ski patrol.
Copper Mountain Ski Patrol contacted the Summit County Sheriff’s Office after a man arrived at the closed mountain intending to ski uphill. The resort is currently closed for the season, with uphill travel prohibited.
Ski patrol approached the man and informed him the mountain was off limits, but he ignored the warning and continued climbing anyway. Deputies were then called in to assist.
A deputy and a ski patrol member rode up the mountain on a snowmobile to intercept the skier. The man was initially uncooperative with authorities before eventually agreeing to switch over to his downhill setup and descend the mountain.
He met the deputy at the base, where he was issued a summons for skiing on a closed trail.
Copper is closed for the 2025/2026 ski season, but they’ll open for their Woodward Copper Summer Camp. Additionally the mountain often hosts on-snow training for racers and other competitors even when the mountain is closed. If you’re going to participate in uphill ski access, make sure it’s actually allowed where you’re doing it.
