Snowbird, UT to Allow Uphill Access From May 16th

Snowbird, UT closed on March 15th like the majority of ski resorts in North America in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Unlike their neighbor Alta, they also did not allow uphill skiing. Until now.

• Related: Snowbird, UT Has CLOSED Due To Coronavirus

From tomorrow, May 16th, the resort will be permitting uphill access. All facilities are closed, and skiers are warned that backcountry conditions exist with no rescue available.

Starting on Saturday, May 16, Snowbird terrain will open for uphill traffic. Backcountry conditions exist and social distancing is required. All facilities are closed.

– Snowbird website

Snowbird has received over 500″ of fresh snow this year, and under normal worldwide order would be open right now. The Utah avalanche center ceased daily forecasts at the end of April, so be careful out there and be sure to carry your avy gear. The last 5 days of March saw 42 separate avalanche incidents in Utah.

Please treat the ski area as backcountry terrain. Carry and know how to use avalanche gear. There is no ski patrol. You are responsible for your own rescue.

– Alta website

Utah was one of the few states that did not order residents to ‘stay-at-home’, choosing a ‘safer-at-home’ recommendation instead. The current order, issued on May 1st and expiring today, moved the Utah public health risk from COVID-19 to orange (moderate risk), from red (high risk).

Utah has had 6,749 confirmed coronavirus cases and 75 deaths.