Picture this: You’re on a chairlift at your favorite ski resort as it whisks you up toward the top of the mountain. But just before you reach the summit, your eyes spot a skier moving uphill amid all the downhill shredders. As you watch, the skier continues slogging uphill, effectively climbing the resort on her skis.
Uphill skiing — or uphilling — has become one of my favorite outdoor winter activities over the past few years. I live outside of Aspen, Colorado, a ski town with a generous uphilling policy at all four of the Aspen Snowmass mountains. At least once or twice per week, I strap tiny carpets to the bottom of my skis, buckle into my special ski boots, grab my skis with uphill-specific bindings and head to the resort where I ski 1,500 feet uphill. Once I make it to the top, I get to enjoy a sweet downhill lap, reveling in the knowledge that I earned those turns.
The best part about uphilling is that anyone can do it. Sure, you need the gear and the location to align. But uphilling is more affordable than resort skiing, and it’s a lot safer than backcountry skiing. Plus, it’s a great workout. “You are your own efficient mode of transport,” Wes Shirey, a Utah-based backcountry ski guide and ski patrolman, says. “The perfectly white, beautiful terrain, the cold wind in your face, the challenge of how far or high you go — it is all on you and your legs and lungs.”
Still, it’s intimidating to tackle a new activity with loads of new gear, especially in ski towns like Aspen where the locals seemingly sprint by you on their way to the top. If you’re curious about uphilling but don’t know where to start, we’ve got the basics: what uphilling is, what gear you need and everything you need to know to begin earning your turns.
What is uphilling and how to get started
When you think of skiing, there’s a good chance you’re envisioning a day filled with dozens of downhill laps where powder is flying and rest is only enjoyed on the chairlift. But uphilling is different.
Uphilling is the act of skiing uphill within the boundary lines of a ski resort. Once you reach the top, most uphillers can zip down any ski run. But in some cases, you don’t even have to do that; you can often catch a gondola or chairlift designated for downloading. I tore my knee last year so I wasn’t allowed to ski, but I could uphill. So I spent the remainder of the season climbing the resort on my skis and riding the gondola back down to the base.
That’s the beauty of uphilling: It’s more accessible. Unlike backcountry skiing where the terrain is variable and there is a constant concern about snow safety, uphilling only involves skiing inbounds at a resort on groomed terrain. This means you don’t need any safety gear like avalanche beacons, shovels or probes. It’s also a lot more affordable than downhill skiing at a resort because you don’t buy lift tickets. In some places, uphilling is completely free but that has started to change as it becomes more popular. Still, an uphill pass at most resorts costs less than $100, and that’s for the entire season. At Aspen Snowmass — one of the priciest resorts in the country — it’s included for locals with their season pass. For everyone else, it’s only $69 for the entire season.
And it’s good for you. “Uphilling is a really great workout in the winter when it’s cold and otherwise unpleasant out,” Emily Banks, an Aspen-based skier who logs 100 days of skiing each year, says. “It’s a good way to get outside and be in the mountains.”
Colorado-based skier Alyssa Franklin picked up uphilling a few years ago and spent the bulk of last season training for the Power of Two, an Aspen-based ski mountaineering race with roughly 5,000 feet of vertical gain throughout two of the Aspen Snowmass resorts. She refers to uphilling as her “me time” every week. “The quiet time on the mountain is an added bonus, especially with the promise of a beautiful sunset or sunrise at the end,” she says.
Uphilling tips for beginners
It may feel complicated, but there isn’t anything tricky about uphilling. Once you have and understand the gear, the rest is as simple as hiking up a mountain. Still, here are a couple of tips to make your first time go smoothly.
Do your research on resort policies
Know before you go. Each ski resort has a different uphill policy, so it’s important to read up on them before you arrive. Some resorts don’t allow uphilling at all and have a very strict policy. Others allow it on certain routes or during certain hours of the day. Others are more lenient and offer plenty of routes during all hours. Make sure you know what you’re getting into so you don’t arrive only to be disappointed.
Don’t overdress
If you’re used to downhill skiing, you’ll probably want to bundle up in insulated ski clothes. Don’t do that. Since most ski runs are steep, you’ll be hiking straight up a mountain, which means your heart rate will be high and you will be warm and sweaty. A good rule of thumb is to start cold. If you’re comfortable while standing around at the base area, you’ll likely be sweltering within minutes. I like to dress for temperatures that are roughly 20 to 30 degrees warmer than reality. So, if it’s 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside, I’ll dress as if it’s 40 degrees.
Bring a backpack
Just because you’re dressing for warmer weather doesn’t mean you should leave the layers at home. All uphillers bring a backpack with them to carry their extra layers, water and snacks. This is essential; don’t accidentally leave it at home.
Learn to work the gear
The hardest part about uphilling is learning how to work the equipment. Uphill skiing requires specialized bindings, ski boots and skins. The same gear is used in backcountry skiing, but if you aren’t used to it, it’ll be funky at first. That’s why Banks recommends going into a local shop for instructions. Not only will they be able to help you make the best purchases but they’ll be able to show you how to work it for the first time.
Shirey agrees, noting that a mentor is often the way to go. Find someone who knows how to do it and they can take you with them for your first few adventures. “There are a lot of systems and moving parts to learn,” he says. “You will slip going uphill, you will forget to transition to ski mode or close your leg zippers before going downhill, but it’s all part of it.”
Take it easy
Learning new things is hard, so don’t beat yourself up if you feel awkward at first. “Have grace for yourself,” Banks says. “You’re learning a new activity, so you’re going to fall, you’re going to feel like an idiot. But you shouldn’t because learning new things is supposed to be fun.”
Gear up for your uphilling adventure
Proper gear is essential for a good day of uphilling, but that doesn’t mean you need to run out and buy all new stuff. You’ll likely need to buy new bindings, ski boots and skins. If you already have base layers and non-insulated ski gear lying around the house, great. Save some money and use those. If you decide to upgrade your gear over time, here’s what we recommend.
Ski jackets
Most uphillers bring non-insulated ski shells on the journey. Chances are good it’ll stay stashed inside your backpack while you climb, but you will need to wear it for the downhill (and on exceptionally cold days, you may even wear it on the climb). Non-insulated ski shells are lighter and more packable than puffier downhill jackets, so they’ll easily fit inside your backpack.
The Mesola is one of my favorite jackets for uphilling because it’s so darn breathable. Ortovox uses a hardshell fabric on the hood, shoulder, sleeves and chest to protect you against nasty weather, but the back, armpits and sides are all a breathable softshell that allows for tons of mobility. And the inside is lined with a soft merino wool that wicks sweat and keeps you cozy.
The women’s version of the Mesola Jacket comes in sizes XS through XL and two vivid colorways: Ice Waterfall, a two-tone teal, and Autumn Leaves, an orange-pink combo.
Picture Organic is also one of the most sustainable brands in the industry, and the Broader and the Sylva reflect that with recycled polyester and PFC-free waterproofing.
Franklin spends her uphilling hours in the Sylva Jacket, thanks to all the pockets. “I love to be able to quickly shove my hat or gloves in pockets without having to stop,” she says of the three external zippered pockets and ski pass pocket.
Softshell jackets are a great choice for uphilling since they’re super breathable, and the Dynafit Softshell is one of our favorites. It’s a two-layer softshell made from recycled materials, and it’s completely windproof — not all softshells can say the same.
Dynafit also ditched the toxic forever chemicals in favor of a DWR treatment (weatherproofing) that doesn’t use any PFAS. Pit zips dump excess heat when needed, and the stretch on the jacket allows for plenty of movement.
Ski pants
When skiing uphill, mobility is essential. You’ll be climbing a steep hillside, so you don’t want stiff shell pants blocking your movement. And just like with the jackets, you don’t want anything insulated. When it comes to your uphilling ski pants, more ventilation is always better.
Hands down, these are my favorite pants for uphilling. These technical tights can be used for a lot of things — mountaineering, ski touring or even trekking — thanks to the breathable softshell fabric and wider boot cut. But they fit like yoga pants, so they’re super stretchy, which works well on steep ascents. While they are windproof, they aren’t waterproof, so you wouldn’t want to wear these in a blizzard. But for most uphilling days, they’re as comfy as it gets. Sorry, guys, these are just for the ladies.
Banks swears by her Haldigrat pants for backcountry and uphilling adventures because they’re so darn soft. “Most ski pants are crunchy and noisy,” she explains. “But these pants are so soft and so quiet.” Their performance receives high marks too, thanks to long ventilation zippers and a raised waistband that keeps snow out.
Though the men’s iteration of the Haldigrat Hardshell Pants differ slightly from the women’s version, they still tout the same key features of breathability and pocket accessibility.
Like the jacket of the same name, the Mesola pants use a clever mix of hardshell fabric where you need it (lower leg and front thigh) for weather protection and softshell material everywhere else. This makes these pants super flexible and breathable, even while wearing base layers beneath.
They’re also lined with merino wool and have side zippers running the length of the thigh. The seat isn’t waterproof — it’s the softshell fabric — so you’ll have to keep that in mind if you flop on the ground a lot, but we’ve never had any issues with soaked fabric.
Base layers
Your base layers will likely be your first line of defense as you climb the hill, and they’ll get sweaty. That’s why it’s important that they wick moisture from your body — no cotton here. You can wear either synthetic or wool base layers, depending on your preference. Wool layers are pricier, but they naturally wick moisture, are antimicrobial and don’t rely on the fossil fuel industry. Synthetic layers are more affordable and wick away sweat, but they can often develop an odor. You can use whichever best suits your preferences.
I don’t like overcomplicated base layers with tons of zippers and layers around my neck. That’s why the simple yet functional design on the Rho hits the sweet spot for me.
Made from merino wool, the Rho moves sweat away from my skin and doesn’t stink. I recently wore it for a whole weekend of uphilling, and I didn’t smell (at least, not that anyone mentioned).
If you can’t decide between synthetic or wool layers, choose both with the Merino Xtreme. The inside of the shirt is synthetic fabric to better move sweat away from your skin, while the outside is all wool for warmth and anti-microbial properties.
The combined feel of the synthetic fabric and wool is super soft and very warm. I wore this uphilling when temps hovered in the single digits, and I still found myself wearing only this shirt on top.
“You can’t beat their patterns,” Banks says of Kari Traa’s colorful and unique base layer designs. The all-women’s brand is known for their colorful palettes, and the Rose Base Layer is no exception. But it’s not just pretty. The 100% merino wool construction has four-way stretch so the top fits well and moves with your body the way you want.
Gloves
When you’re uphilling, you’ll want to bring two types of hand coverings: liner gloves for the uphill and regular gloves for the downhill. Liner gloves offer plenty of dexterity to handle your ski poles, and full-on gloves will often be too warm while slogging uphill. But once you get to the top and begin your descent, the cold wind wind means you’ll definitely want regular gloves or mittens.
We did tons of repeatable experiments for our recent glove test, and the 4-Season Gloves took the top spot for the best gloves. Not only are these gloves very durable with their leather construction but they’re pretty warm (for gloves) and have decent dexterity. Plus, they’re versatile: You can use them as work gloves if you want.
If you run cold and know that you’ll do better with mittens, the Fall Lines took the top spot for best under-the-cuff mittens. They don’t feel like marshmallows on your hands — there’s still plenty of dexterity, for mittens — but they’re exceedingly warm in almost any mountain condition you’ll encounter. Hestra also has reputable craftsmanship, so you can rest easy knowing they’ll last a long time.
Your liner gloves don’t need to be anything fancy, but it’s nice to have a thin layer to protect your hands against wind. The WindLab gloves do just that with a snug-and-stretchy fit that lets body heat escape while still protecting your delicate fingers from the harsh wind.
Backpacks
Uphilling with a backpack is a necessity since you’ll have loads of extra layers, snacks and water to bring with you. You don’t need a super-fancy backpack loaded down with backcountry essentials like a safety-gear pocket, but you will want something with a waist or chest belt to help carry the load. It’s also nice to have some form of waterproofing since there is a good chance your pack will get wet. If you have either a backcountry skiing pack or resort skiing pack that you already love, it will do the job.
This has become my favorite pack for uphilling because of its size. At 22 liters, it’s big enough to hold my extra layers, some water and a trail bar, but it’s small enough not to feel cumbersome or excessively heavy. I also love the zippers: Two make a full circle for top-of-pack access and a third runs the length, so you’re never stuck rummaging around the bottom for a missing glove.
The Aenergy is Banks’ top choice for packs, thanks to its versatility. Built for the backcountry, this Mammut pack has a separate compartment for avalanche safety gear, but it squishes down to a small enough size that it’s perfect for uphilling too. Plus, it fits similarly to a running vest with chest straps instead of a waist belt — you know, for when you get really good and start picking up speed.
The D-Route is specifically designed for resort skiing, so it’s a great crossover pack if you’re coming from that side of the hill. Top-loading access makes it easy to throw in extra layers, and a cleverly placed side zipper means you can reach around while wearing it to access stuff buried in the bottom.
Ski equipment
The ski gear is the most daunting part of uphilling since it operates differently from regular downhill equipment. If you’re just getting started and already have downhill ski gear, you could invest in a set of frame bindings, a type of binding that releases at the heel for uphilling but still performs the same as you’re used to on the downhill. This means you’d only have to buy the new bindings and mount them on your resort skis; you could use your regular alpine ski boots.
However, frame bindings are very heavy. If you only uphill once or twice per season, they’re still your best bet. But if you end up uphilling more than that, there is a good chance you’ll want to upgrade your setup to include alpine touring (AT) bindings, often referred to as tech or pin bindings for the two pins that slot into the sides of your ski boots’ toes and heels. This specialized binding allows you to comfortably “walk” on the uphill while still locking your heel to ski downhill. They’re very light, saving your legs from fatigue. Tech bindings are the gold standard in the uphilling and backcountry skiing world. But they are an investment: You’ll also need to buy new ski boots.
Specialized AT boots are required if you’re going to use tech bindings. These often look like resort ski boots but have two adjustments: a “walk” mode for the uphill and a “downhill” mode for the skiing. The walk mode allows for more ankle mobility on the uphill so you don’t feel like you’re tromping around in cement blocks. And AT boots have the appropriate toes and heels so that they work with the pins on the tech bindings.
Lastly, you’ll need a pair of climbing skins, or carpets, for your skis. Skins are skinny strips of mohair or nylon that stick to the bottom of your skis for the climb. They work similarly to velvet: When you slide backward on your skis, the hairs “stand up” and stop your movement. When you’re moving forward or uphill, the hairs lie flat so you can smoothly glide. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you “rip” your skins off, store them in your backpack and enjoy the ride back down on your skis.
If you’re looking for a one-ski quiver, consider the Shift tech bindings. On the uphill, they operate just like a traditional tech binding with the pins inserting into the toe of your boot. But on the downhill, they fully convert to a traditional downhill binding, giving you bomber downhill control. They are heavier than traditional tech bindings (but weigh less than frame bindings), so you can use them as your resort skis too.
For those opting to upgrade their setup to a tech boot, consider a hybrid boot like the Hawx Ultra XTD. New this season, the Hawx use the new Boa system, a cable system that cinches down the boot but allows for more micro-adjustments on the fit compared to traditional buckle ski boots. And because they’re a hybrid boot, they’re decently light enough for the uphill while still providing plenty of stiffness on the downhill.
If you need climbing skins, Pomoca is the gold standard. The Pro S-Glides give you everything you want in a skin: durability that will last for years, plenty of glide on the uphill and a light enough weight that they don’t sit in your pack like a brick. If you look around the mountain while you’re climbing uphill, there’s a great chance you’ll see the telltale turquoise color beneath a number of skis.