CAMDEN — The Camden Snow Bowl is asking the public to stay off of Ragged Mountain’s ski trails while town staff readies the facility for winter ski season. This applies to those hiking up, sledding down, and hiking and snowshoeing on the mountain until the Snow Bowl opens for business. Rules for using the Snow Bowl trails for the entire winter have been revised, as of October, and are listed below.

“We have posted information on our website, on social media and have placed signs at the entrance,” wrote staff, in a news release. “We just asked two sledders to get off the mountain, a skier and a man with his four dogs. We are doing this to maintain safety, of both our staff driving heavy equipment and making snow on the mountain as well as the public and their pets. Kids and pets on the ground are not easy to see when you are on a snowmobile, let alone inside a big groomer. And when a skier comes bombing down a hill when they are not expected to be there, the potential for a crash with vehicles on the mountain is not something we can play with anymore.”

Trails are closed to the public, “until we open for the season, which will hopefully be around Dec. 23,” the release said. “This will allow the Snow Bowl mountain crews, which are working around the clock now, to more safely work on the mountain trails to get them ready for winter fun.”

Exception

The Kuller Trail, accessible to the east of the double chairlift and into the woods, is open to the public. The public must stay on the Kuller Trail, and not exit out on the alpine trails.

The policy follows

NOTICE:
For the safety of mountain staff and the public, the Camden Snow Bowl ALPINE TRAILS ARE CLOSED to the public NOW until opening day.
Crews will be making snow and machines will be on the mountain, all hours.
Beginning Friday, Dec. 6, a red flag on the lodge = Alpine Trails Closed.
A green flag on the lodge = Alpine Trails Open (after season-open date)

NOT ALLOWED ON THE MOUNTAIN:

AT skiing on alpine trails • Hiking on alpine trails • Dogs on alpine trails • Sledding on alpine trails.

Please read the new uphill policy: Snow Bowl Winter Policies (Rev. Oct. 15, 2019)

The Snow Bowl has a dedicated and varied group of users and welcomes and supports all our guests seeking to enjoy the mountain. For the safety of everyone, including Snow Bowl staff, we ask that all users follow these guidelines and acknowledge that all travel is done at each individual's own risk. Failure to adhere to any Snow Bowl policy will be considered a violation. Violators can be considered trespassing, can be asked to leave the mountain, can be banned from the property and can face prosecution. 

UPHILL TRAVEL: (NEW) All uphill users must read, understand and follow this and all other policies.

Uphill travel by means of "skinning" has gained popularity and the Snow Bowl has a dedicated group of these users and welcomes and supports all of our guests seeking to enjoy the mountain. For the safety of everyone on the mountain, including Snow Bowl staff, we ask that all users follow these guidelines and acknowledge that all travel is done at each individual's own risk.

PRE-SEASON (beginning Nov. 29, 2019, until opening day)

• 24/7 – NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO SNOW BOWL ALPINE TRAILS (this includes skiers, AT/skinners, snowshoers, dog walkers and hikers, among others)
• The Snow Bowl Access Road gate will be closed dusk to dawn (non-operating hours).
• The Snow Bowl office and Sidecountry Sports' Trailside store will be open for regular business and operating hours.

IN-SEASON (opening day until closing day)

      Non-Operating Hours:

• A flag, on the road side of the lodge, will designate the status of Alpine trails for uphill use.
  ** RED FLAG = Alpine trails are closed to all users

            ** GREEN FLAG = Alpine trails are open to all users at their own risk

• Uphill travel is allowed on DESIGNATED UPHILL ROUTES.
• Designated uphill routes will be posted daily at the lodge entrance and on the website
• Stay within 10-feet of edge of trail along the designated route

      Operating Hours:

• Uphill travel is allowed on designated routes.
• All uphill travelers on alpine trails must purchase and display a day ticket or season pass
• Available UPHILL ROUTES will be posted daily at the lodge entrance and on the website
• Uphill travelers must stay on the three DESIGNATED UPHILL ROUTES
• Uphill travelers must stay within 10-feet of edge of trail along the designated route
• All users must be off the mountain at the close of business each day until the GREEN FLAG is up.

POST-SEASON (after closing day)

• Use alpine trails at your own risk
• Be aware of equipment on the mountain during regular hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday)