Mountain Policies
Skier & Rider Mountain Policies
Accessibility
ADA Parking
ADA parking is available at the bottom of the stairs in our Main Parking Lot, at the Breezeway Level, and for limited use near the Ski Patrol First Aid Room. Our Parking Attendants will gladly direct you to the appropriate ADA parking area. A valid Disabled Parking permit placard is required for all vehicles using ADA parking spaces.
Adaptive Devices
We welcome the use of adaptive devices designed for skiing or riding by individuals with disabilities, including mono-skis, bi-skis, outriggers, and sit-skis. If you plan to use adaptive equipment on our lifts, please contact our Lift Supervisor at liftops@sunlightmtn.com before your visit so we can prepare our staff to accommodate your needs.
Adaptive Lessons
We offer Adaptive Lessons for individuals with physical, cognitive, or learning challenges. For more information, please contact us at joe@sunlightmtn.com.
Mobility Devices
Individuals with mobility disabilities may use wheelchairs and manually-powered mobility aids in pedestrian areas. However, consistent with Sunlight Mountain’s “no motorized” use policy, the use of motorized devices or vehicles, including other power-driven mobility devices, is prohibited on the mountain. These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory. Please refer to our Power-Driven Mobility Devices Policy below for further details.
Service Animals
Sunlight Mountain supports the use of trained service animals during the winter operating season. However, service animals are not permitted on the lifts. Service animals must be under control using a harness, leash, or other tether unless it interferes with their task or the handler’s disability prevents it. The service animal must be housebroken and trained to perform tasks related to a specific disability as defined by ADA regulations.
If you have additional needs not covered above, please provide us with at least 72 hours’ advance notice so that we can make reasonable accommodations. For any questions or concerns regarding ADA accessibility, Adaptive Skiing/Riding, service animals, or power-driven mobility devices, please reach out to us at (970) 945-7491 or info@sunlightmtn.com.
Power-Driven Mobility Devices
Sunlight Mountain, in partnership with the White River National Forest, has established a public access policy that prohibits the use of motorized equipment on slopes and trails within the designated boundaries of the special use permit granted for public skiing access. This policy also extends to lands owned or managed by Sunlight Mountain and remains in effect year-round. The policy was implemented to protect the environment and natural resources, particularly concerning soil integrity, erosion, and vegetation. As a result, motorized equipment is not allowed for public use during the summer season.
For winter operations, Sunlight Mountain has determined that allowing the public, including individuals with mobility disabilities, to use power-driven devices or vehicles presents significant safety risks. These risks include potential collisions between the device users and downhill skiers or snowboarders. Our “no motorized” policy is based on these actual safety concerns and is not intended to be discriminatory. ADA parking is available in designated areas, and a visible permit is required.
Individuals with mobility disabilities may use power-driven mobility devices, wheelchairs, and manually-powered aids such as walkers, crutches, canes, or braces in pedestrian-accessible areas. On-mountain access is permitted only with approved adaptive devices. Adaptive devices include specialized equipment designed for individuals with disabilities, such as mono-skis, bi-skis, outriggers, and sit-skis. Equipment that does not meet the “adaptive” definition, such as Snow-Bikes, is not permitted on the ski area, even for individuals with mobility disabilities. Sunlight’s adaptive ski program provides or arranges for approved adaptive equipment upon request for those who wish to participate in winter sports at the resort. Please contact us at joe@sunlightmtn.com to inquire about our available adaptive equipment.
Any further inquiries about our Power-Driven Mobility Devices Policy can be directed to info@sunlightmtn.com.
Service Animals
Permitted & Prohibited Devices
To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, please review our list of Permitted & Prohibited Devices:
Permitted Devices:
- Skis + Poles
- Snowboards
- Ski-Blades/Ski-Boards
- Monoskis
- Adaptive Equipment
- Fat Tire Bikes, under limited access, please see our Fat Tire Bikes Policy
- Ski Skates
- Snowskates, with appropriate retention devices
- Snowbikes, for adaptive purposes only and with permission from the Lift Operations department.
- Snowshoes are allowed outside of normal operating hours and on designated uphill routes during operating hours with a valid uphill ticket.
Prohibited Devices:
- Snowdecks
- Airboards
- Toboggans
- Sleds/Discs and sledding devices
- Ghosky
- Body Sleds
- Snowscooters
- Inner Tubes
- Snowmobiles
- Baby Backpacks/Child Carriers
Uphill Travel
Sunlight Mountain allows uphill foot and skier traffic along designated routes during the winter operating season, including the pre-season and post-season. However, uphill travel is closed while snowmaking operations are underway and at other times as deemed necessary for guest and employee safety.
Please help us keep you and our employees safe and preserve our growing Uphill Community by abiding by our rules and any mountain closures throughout the year.
Sunlight Mountain Uphill Policy
- All guests must possess a current Sunlight Uphill Pass. These passes can be obtained at the Sunlight Ticket Office or on our Online Store.
- Uphill access is closed during snowmaking operations. Pressurized waterlines can be hard to see in the snow, but skis and snowboards are sharp enough to slice through the lines, posing a large safety risk to anyone nearby.
- Never follow directly behind or ski in front of a grooming machine. Keep a minimum of 100 feet away from grooming machines, snowmobiles, and snowmaking equipment.
- Dogs are not allowed on the mountain at any time.
- Use the designated uphill routes. Uphill route maps can be obtained at the Guest Services Office.
- Keep to the side of the trail. Downhill traffic has the right-of-way.
- Be aware that there are no Ski Patrol services before or after normal operating hours.
- Any guests accessing the Sunlight Mountain property outside of normal operating hours acknowledge that activities such as slope grooming, snowmaking, snowmobile traffic, special event setup, and marked and unmarked obstacles pertaining to those activities may exist on any slope at any time.
Alcohol Consumption & Service
Sunlight Mountain maintains a strict policy prohibiting outside alcohol on the premises in compliance with our liquor license and state regulations. All alcoholic beverages consumed on-site must be purchased from Sunlight Mountain. This policy applies to all areas of the resort, including the lodge, patios, decks, parking lots, and any outdoor spaces.
Bringing outside alcohol onto resort property is prohibited and may result in the confiscation of the alcohol, removal from the premises, or other disciplinary actions. Additionally, Sunlight Mountain reserves the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to anyone, at any time, in accordance with state law and responsible service practices.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us comply with these regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.
Designated Smoking Areas
Smoking is only permitted in one designated area on Sunlight property—next to the outdoor bar at the top of the stairs. Smoking is prohibited elsewhere on the property.
The consumption of marijuana is strictly prohibited at Sunlight Mountain. This includes, but is not limited to, lift lines, chairlifts, ski trails, wooded areas, parking lots, patios, decks, and all other open spaces. Smoking of any kind, whether tobacco or marijuana, is also prohibited inside buildings, lobbies, restaurant, shops, hallways, and restrooms.
Marijuana Use
Marijuana consumption is strictly prohibited at Sunlight Mountain. This ban applies to all areas, including lift lines, chairlifts, ski trails, wooded areas, parking lots, patios, decks, and other open spaces. Additionally, smoking of any kind, whether tobacco or marijuana, is not allowed inside any buildings, including lobbies, restaurants, shops, hallways, and restrooms.
While recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado under Amendment 64, it remains classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance under federal law. State law also prohibits the consumption of marijuana in public places, and all areas of Sunlight Mountain are considered public. Because the resort operates on federal land, including ski lifts, trails, the lodge, and parking lots, U.S. Forest Service officers regularly patrol to enforce federal regulations.
Pets
For the safety of our guests and their pets, Sunlight Mountain prohibits guests and employees from bringing dogs or any other pets onto the ski area and/or base lodge facilities at any time during the winter operating season. Exceptions to this policy are for: 1) Service animals as defined in the ADA regulations, 2) Trained or in training search and rescue/avalanche dogs accompanied by their handler and with permission from Sunlight Mountain, and 3) Dogs brought to the base area by an organization for a specific special event, such as C.A.R.E. pet adoption day.
Dogs permitted at the area must be on a harness, leash or other tether and accompanied by a handler, who is wholly responsible for the animal.
For safety reasons, dogs, including service animals, are not allowed on Sunlight’s ski terrain or ski lifts unless they are trained or in the process of being trained for search and rescue work or to load/unload a lift and these dogs must be in the direct control of on-duty Sunlight Mountain staff. Reasonable accommodation will be made to assist in transporting service dogs in order to access other resort locations with a minimum of 48 hours notice. Service animals are defined as animals that have been individually trained to actively assist individuals with physical or cognitive needs. Individuals with service animals, of course, must maintain control of their animals at all times. In addition, any service animal must be housebroken and be trained, and utilized for a specific disability approved by ADA regulations.
Drones
For safety and privacy reasons, Sunlight Mountain prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including drones, on or above resort property by the general public. This includes recreational users, hobbyists, and media or journalists, without prior written authorization from Sunlight Mountain. The ban applies to all drone use, including filming, videotaping, or any other activity, whether launched from resort property, National Forest Service (NFS) lands within Sunlight’s special use permit (SUP) boundaries, or from private property outside of the resort.
Any authorized drone use must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, local law enforcement, National Forest Service rules, and Sunlight Mountain’s own policies, which may require certification, training, insurance, indemnification, and liability waivers. Violations of this policy may result in the suspension of resort access, revocation of season passes, confiscation of equipment, and potential legal liability for damages, including trespass, invasion of privacy, personal injury, property damage, and associated legal fees.
Sledding & Sledding Devices
To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, sledding and the use of sledding devices are not allowed anywhere on Sunlight Mountain. This includes using a snowboard as a sledding device. Please review our list of Permitted & Prohibited Devices.
Fat Tire Bikes
Sunlight Mountain recognizes the growing interest in fat tire biking during the winter season and has implemented a limited-access policy to accommodate this activity.
Fat tire biking is permitted under the following conditions:
- Access is restricted to nighttime hours, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. All bikes must be off the mountain before morning grooming operations begin.
- The designated routes are:
- Ascent via the Babbish Gulch trail system to the top of the mountain.
- Descent using the Ute ski run back to the base area.
- All fat tire bike riders must have a Sunlight Uphill Pass. Current Sunlight season pass holders can obtain an Uphill Pass at no additional cost. Non-pass holders can purchase an Uphill Pass online or at the ticket office for $10.
Snowmobiles & Vehicles
The personal use of private motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, is prohibited. All vehicles must have prior approval from Sunlight Mountain and the USFS.
Please see our Power-Driven Mobility Devices Policy for more information.
Camping
Camping is prohibited within Sunlight Mountain’s Special Use Permitted Area. There are several free dispersed camping options nearby on BLM land.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At Sunlight Mountain, we believe in the beauty and strength of diversity. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is rooted in the core values of respect, integrity, and inclusiveness. We recognize that each individual brings a unique perspective and experience, which enriches our resort community and enhances the experience for all.
We are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We commit to ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources for people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, disabilities, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our resort is more than just a destination; it’s a community where everyone’s voice is heard and respected. We actively seek to understand and appreciate the diverse experiences of our guests and employees, and we strive to reflect this diversity in all aspects of our operations – from hiring and training to guest services and community engagement.
At Sunlight Mountain, we believe that embracing diversity, practicing equity, and fostering inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it is essential to our success and the enriching experiences we provide. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas, ensuring that our resort is a place where everyone can enjoy the beauty of the mountains, the thrill of the slopes, and the warmth of our community.
Together, we create a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable mountain resort that welcomes everyone.
Liability Releases
All activities at Sunlight Mountain Resort require participants to read, understand, and sign a release of liability and waiver of legal rights before participating. Please review all Sunlight Mountain Resort release waivers below:
Sunlight Mountain Season Pass Release
Sunlight Mountain Uphill Release
Sunlight Mountain Lesson Release
Sunlight Mountain Rental Equipment Release
Sunlight Mountain Snowmobile Tour Release
Sunlight Mountain Model Release
Sunlight Mountain Event Release
