Mountain Safety

To make skiing and riding as risk free as possible make sure your equipment is in good condition; wear a helmet and goggles; wear appropriate layers of clothing; ski within your ability; obey warnings, closures, and other signs; ski with a partner; take a lesson to learn some tips from a pro!  There are inherent risks of skiing and riding.  To see a detailed list of risks please refer to the Colorado Ski Safety Act. 

Sunlight Mountain allows alpine skis, telemark skis, snow blades (with tethers), snowboards, snowskate (with tether), and approved adaptive equipment. Please contact Sunlight for assistance with adaptive ski/riding equipment.

It is important to learn how to load, ride and unload a chairlift correctly.  If unfamiliar with the lifts at Sunlight, please ask the lift attendant for assistance.

Call our professional Ski Patrol! The direct number for Ski Patrol can be found on our website and in our Trails Map.  If your cell phone is not available, a report can be made to the lift operator at the nearest ski lift.  Cross skis uphill from the injured person, if possible, to mark the location of the injured party and keep other guests from running into the injured.

Please call the Ski Patrol.  Ski Patrol can help get you down to the bottom should you become too tired, feel ill, too frustrated or have equipment issues. Please be aware that it is unlikely a snowmobile will be used for transport.

A green circle on a ski trail sign designates an easier trail.  Green trails are less steep than other trail designations. Green trails are available to all users and recommended for beginner skiers and riders.

A blue square on a ski trail sign designates a more difficult trail. Blue trails are steeper than Green trails.

A Black diamond on a ski trail sign designates the most difficult trails.  Black trails are steeper than Blue trails and are not always groomed, leaving bumpy conditions known as moguls.  A double black diamond trail designates extreme terrain suitable for expert skiers and riders.

Skiing and riding have inherent risks as described in the Colorado Ski Safety Act (add link).  Some participants enjoy going through the trees.  It is recommended that you do not ski in the trees alone; steer clear of tree wells and stay in control.  When rejoining a groomed trail, please look up and yield to the traffic on the open trail.  Do not ski through the trees to access a closed trail. It is important to be familiar with the Skier Responsibility Code.

The areas outside the resort boundary are not patrolled.  Should a skier/rider get injured outside the resort boundary, Search and Rescue will be called to assist.  Leaving the ski area boundary can be confusing and may not end in a public area.  Hiking may be required to get back to the ski area.

A helmet is not required for skiing/riding at Sunlight (requirements may differ if taking a ski or snowboard lesson - please check with our Ski/Ride School for requirements).  We do recommend a helmet to protect your head from injury.

A pass is required to use the designated uphill routes at Sunlight Mountain Resort.  Sunlight Ski Area is partially on private land and partially on land that we lease from the Forest Service.  As part of our lease agreement with the Forest Service, a pass is required to recreate on this property.  Failure to obtain a pass is considered trespassing.  Uphilling is prohibited during snowmaking operations.

An uphill pass is required at any time, day or night, open or closed on Sunlight Mountain.  Failure to obtain a pass is considered trespassing.  Uphilling to prohibited during snowmaking operations.

Sunlight leases part of the ski area from the Forest Service.  As part of the lease agreement, Sunlight reserves the right to govern this land in conjunction with the Forest Service. Please follow the policies and procedures stated by Sunlight Mountain Resort.

Dogs are not allowed on Sunlight Ski Trails.  Service animals are allowed at the base area.  For the health and well-being of your pets, please keep them off the ski trails.  Sunlight has cross country/snowshoe trails throughout Babbish Gulch that allows dogs all year round.  Please clean up after your pet!

Sunlight DOES NOT allow sledding. This includes but is not limited to tubing, sliding on a snowboard, Zibob device, saucers.

There is NOT a restaurant at the top of the mountain.  There are primitive restrooms and a warming hut to enjoy a pre-packed snack at the top of Sunlight.  There is no water access at the top of Sunlight.  All modern restroom accommodations and a restaurant/bar is available at the base of the ski area.

Sunscreen, when applied correctly and frequently, can assist with the strong rays of sun from the sky and from the reflection on the snow. Especially at higher elevations. Sunscreen lotion can be helpful in preventing cold injuries such as frost bite as well.

Please contact Guest services or ski patrol.  We have procedures to help locate missing persons!  Do not move any vehicles.  Leave a note on the vehicle for your missing party.

The time it takes to get down the mountain varies greatly.  This depends on the trail or trails selected, the skiing/riding ability for you and your group, how many stops are taken to rest, enjoy the view, or take photos and how tired you can be after a long day on the slopes!  Our longest trail, Ute, is not highly recommended just before closing time.

The base of Sunlight is at 7,885 ft. elevation.  The peak of Sunlight ski area is 9,895 ft. above sea level. The altitude can affect anyone visiting Sunlight.  Symptoms of altitude illness can include the following: Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath with physical exertion, fatigue, and muscle aches. When visiting a higher altitude destination, it is recommended to rest for at least a day before moving to a higher altitude, drink plenty of water, eat food high in carbohydrates and avoid alcohol and caffeine.

A trail may be closed for many reasons.  Ski areas may close a trail due to lack of snow coverage, a fallen tree in the trail, a race or event, avalanche mitigation, snowcat activity, or to provide medical assistance for a guest.  The closure may only be temporary and could reopen later in the day.  It is your responsibility to obey all closure signs and ropes. Accessing closed terrain may result in the loss of your skiing/riding privileges.

Sunlight recommends that anyone new to the sport of skiing/riding take a lesson.  A lesson can reduce the risk of injury.  Lessons help learn how to stop, control your speed, load and unload a lift, and fall correctly.  Lessons are not required but are highly recommended!

In Colorado, all skiers and riders must know how to load, ride, and unload a lift safely.  All guests must wear skis or a snowboard or other allowed equipment. Sunlight Mountain does not allow children in a backpack on a chair lift.

Backpacks are handy to have while on the slopes.  Guests can bring a backpack to carry water, snacks, lunch, tissues, sunscreen, extra layers, extra gloves, phone, wallet, keys….  If you choose to bring a backpack, it is highly recommended to take off your backpack and carry it on your lap when riding the chairlift.  This reduces the risk of a strap getting caught on the chair and causing injury as a guest is unloading the chair lift.

To reduce the risk of injury enjoying features in a Terrain Park, think SMART!

S – Start small.  Build your skills and work your way up to more difficult features.

M- Make a plan. Plan your moves for each feature, every trip.

A- Always Look. Look before you use a feature to avoid colliding with another guest.

R- Respect.  Respect other users and the features.

T- Take it Easy. Ski and ride within your ability level. Know your limits.  Land on your feet.

Ski's, telemark skis, snowboarda, snowskates, snow blades, carving boards, and adaptive ski equipment as approved. You must have a leash or another device (such as a ski brake) that stops any runaway equipment including on your uphill ski or snowboard setup. You must maintain control of your equipment at all times.