by Grant Chong
January 2026
Ascending 5,000 ft above Wenatchee on Mission Ridge Road is the base of Mission Ridge Ski Resort in the heart of the Squilchuck Basin. This area is an outdoor user’s paradise. From long summer days of single-track trail running and mountain biking, to skiing groomer laps at Mission Ridge or sidecountry powder, the Greater Wenatchee Area has a hidden gem in their backyard.
Year round, Mission Ridge operates under a US Forest Service Special Use Permit to regulate usage across the mountain for winter and off-season operations and maintenance and to ensure the safety of users. Recreating at Mission Ridge in the spring, summer, and fall seasons offers a vast opportunity of outdoor recreation with fewer restrictions to be aware of (specific details can be found at https://www.missionridge.com/off-season-access/). Many outdoor users may not be aware that once winter shows itself, the rules change. Specifically, uphill travel within the resort, whether snowshoeing or uphill ski/splitboarding, requires users to follow strict rules. This is important to be aware of and to understand the policy that Mission Ridge effectively communicates and updates to allow for safe uphill travel in the resort’s boundaries.
All uphill users are required to sign an online liability waiver and acknowledge an understanding of the policy. Season pass holders are able to obtain an Uphill Travel Pass for free, while others are required to purchase an Uphill Travel Season Pass ($50) or a Daily Pass ($10). The Uphill Travel Pass can be found at https://www.missionridge.com/uphill-policy/.
The most important piece of information before heading out to uphill within the Mission Ridge ski boundaries is to check, read, and understand the Uphill Policy that is the most recent post. This can be found in three places:
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- The daily conditions report
- The Mission Ridge Uphill Policy
- At the Mission Ridge ticket booth displayed on the large tv screen
A best practice is to check one of the web links before driving up to Mission Ridge and then walk by the ticket booth just to make sure there are not any last-minute changes before heading onto the mountain.
The 2025/2026 winter season had a rough start and as of Christmas, Mission Ridge has actively been making snow and opening terrain to get the mountain fully open. In early season conditions like this, Mission Ridge has high-pressure hoses and high-voltage electric equipment laid across ski runs where they are making snow. In addition, there is a high volume of groomers and night operations moving up and down the mountain. Another safety factor to be aware of is the use of winch cat operations for grooming. This is an extremely dangerous operation. All uphill users need to be alert and aware when Mission Ridge is actively grooming.
Mission Ridge does an excellent job providing daily updates to the Uphill Policy, clearly identifying which mountain areas and runs are closed to uphill travel and downhill skiing. While early-season operations can make the policy feel dynamic, these measures are in place for everyone’s safety. Remember, Mission Ridge is a ski area, and its priority is delivering a safe, high-quality skiing experience for all guests.
As winter progresses and Mission Ridge operates to full capacity, the uphill policy becomes fairly consistent. The biggest change is after a snowstorm when uphill travel may become closed due to avalanche mitigation work across the mountain. But otherwise, a general outline of the Uphill Policy looks like this:
- Uphill travel is always closed on operation days between 7am-5pm.
- On days with night skiing:
- Typically Wednesday to Saturday nights – uphill travel is allowed between 5pm-8:30pm using the Chak Chak and Bomber Bowl routes.
- Following night skiing days, uphill is allowed between 5am-7am using the Chak Chak and Bomber Bowl routes.
- On days without night skiing:
- Uphill travel is allowed between 5pm-7am (following day). Typically using the Chak Chak and Bomber Bowl routes.
- Understanding and responsibly following the basic rules, including wearing a headlamp, maintaining a safe distance from Mission Ridge snowmaking and grooming equipment, prohibiting dogs, and yielding to downhill traffic.
Winter sports continue to grow in popularity each year. Increasingly, winter recreation users are seeking both backcountry-style experiences and fitness-focused opportunities. By providing access to controlled terrain and a more relaxed environment, Mission Ridge offers users the opportunity to test equipment, build skiing or snowboarding skills, and train or exercise safely.
It is essential that both Mission Ridge locals and first-time visitors who wish to travel uphill fully understand the inherent risks, safety considerations, and protocols established by the resort. By knowing where the Mission Ridge Uphill Policy is posted, understanding the rules, and following them safely, both the resort and its users can foster a positive, cooperative relationship that supports continued enjoyment of the winter activities we love.
