With approaching 4 feet of natural snow in the past two weeks, this middle of November has been anything but middling. It has brought out those old-and-in-the-way’ers who know their way around uphilling, but it’s also brought out new folks owning an attitude resembling something altogether different than Raised Jay. This weekend, we saw 2 break-ins at lift shacks, 2 fires, 2 groups of lost skiers and an injury severe enough to wipe out the entire season for someone who thought adding backflips into their early season matrix was a good and swell idea. He’ll now have all season to think again.

On top of this, and connected to the mountain not being open, our Jay Peak Ski Patrol is not yet here. This means, for those unwilling, unable or incapable of following our relatively soft set of asks, bad decisions can connect to bad news, immediately. This morning driving into the office, folks were ignoring our request to start and end their runs on Tramside so our Mountain Ops team could get Stateside together for our opening next weekend. We’re winching over there. Folks should know better than to skin and ski/ride over winch cables. Apparently, they do not.

So, our final ask is this. Please pay attention to our uphill policies. We don’t want to suspend uphill access, but we will. We care more for our guests’ safety than we do their enjoyment at any period of the season but never more than we do right now - before the mountain is open, and while we are in the process of getting us there. And we care a hell of a lot for the Mountain Ops team who, while grooming/winching/snowmaking in near whiteout conditions, also have to navigate folks ignoring pretty simple requests.

As is the case with most things, if you have to ask yourself if early season skinning and uphilling is for you, it likely isn’t. And for those of you who have done this before, you understand how important it is to pay attention to staying safe and setting a good example.

We’ll be opening early, in a few short days, on Saturday November 22nd and there will be more than enough action out there. In the meantime, let’s give the Mountain Operation’s team the space they need to finish their work.

Follow updates on Uphill Travel, weather, conditions and opening plans at jaypeakresort.com/SnowReport

Thanks for understanding

Steve Wright

Jay Peak Resort

General Manager