Hilltop Ski Area & Bike Park
Community Standards & Guest Conduct Policy

Welcome to Hilltop

Hilltop is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all guests, staff, volunteers, athletes, families, and community members.

As a community-focused ski area and bike park, Hilltop exists to create opportunities for recreation, progression, learning, and connection. Every person who visits shares responsibility for helping maintain an environment that is safe, respectful, and enjoyable for everyone.

These Community Standards apply to all guests, passholders, athletes, event participants, spectators, volunteers, and visitors. By entering Hilltop property or participating in Hilltop activities, you agree to follow these standards, posted signage, operational rules, and directions from staff.

Safety & Personal Responsibility

Skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and other mountain activities involve inherent risks. Every guest is responsible for acting within their abilities and making decisions that prioritize safety for themselves and others.

All guests are expected to:

  • Maintain control of themselves and their equipment at all times

  • Stay aware of changing terrain, weather, trail conditions, and other users

  • Avoid collisions with people, vehicles, structures, or objects

  • Yield appropriately to those downhill or ahead

  • Load, ride, and unload lifts safely and attentively

  • Ride, ski, snowboard, and bike within their ability level

  • Use terrain features and jumps responsibly and progressively

  • Observe all posted signs, warnings, closures, and operational boundaries

  • Follow instructions from Hilltop staff, Ski Patrol, Bike Patrol, and event personnel

Reckless or unsafe behavior that places guests, staff, or operations at risk is not permitted.

Skier & Rider Responsibility

Hilltop supports and promotes the NSAA Skier Responsibility Code and industry safety standards.

Guests are responsible for:

  1. Always staying in control and being able to stop or avoid people or objects.

  2. Yielding to people downhill or ahead.

  3. Stopping only where visible and clear of trails, features, and traffic.

  4. Looking uphill and yielding before starting downhill or merging.

  5. Using devices that help prevent runaway equipment.

  6. Observing and obeying all signs, warnings, and closures.

  7. Knowing how to load, ride, and unload lifts safely.

Terrain parks and freestyle features increase the risk of injury. Guests are responsible for inspecting features before use and progressing responsibly.

Mountain Bike Responsibility

Mountain biking involves varying terrain, changing conditions, technical features, and shared trail environments. Riders are expected to ride responsibly and within their abilities.

Bike park guests are expected to:

  • Inspect trails and features before use

  • Start small and progress responsibly

  • Control speed at all times

  • Ride within sight distance

  • Be prepared for changing trail conditions

  • Stay on designated open trails

  • Respect directional signage and trail difficulty ratings

  • Avoid stopping in blind areas or landing zones

  • Yield when appropriate and communicate clearly when passing

  • Report hazards, collisions, or unsafe conditions when possible

Helmets are required for all lift-access mountain biking activities. Additional protective equipment is strongly recommended.

Respect for Others

Respect is fundamental to the Hilltop experience.

Guests are expected to:

  • Treat staff, volunteers, coaches, and fellow guests with courtesy and professionalism

  • Help create a welcoming environment for participants of all ages and ability levels

  • Follow staff instructions promptly

  • Avoid harassment, intimidation, bullying, threats, aggressive behavior, or abusive language directed at others

  • Respect beginner areas, slow zones, teaching zones, and youth program spaces

  • Avoid behavior that disrupts operations or negatively impacts the experience of others

Abusive, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward staff or guests will not be tolerated.

Lift & Loading Area Expectations

Lift loading and unloading areas require guests to remain alert and follow staff instructions.

Guests may not:

  • Misuse lifts or loading areas

  • Swing, bounce, or intentionally rock chairs

  • Throw objects from lifts

  • Jump from chairlifts

  • Distract lift operators during active operations

  • Access closed lifts or maintenance areas

Unsafe lift behavior may result in immediate loss of lift privileges without refund.

Closed Terrain & Restricted Areas

Guests may only access designated open terrain during operating hours.

The following areas are off-limits unless specifically authorized:

  • Closed terrain

  • Restricted areas

  • Maintenance zones

  • Lift infrastructure areas

  • Construction areas

  • Out-of-bounds terrain

Closed terrain exists for safety, maintenance, operational, or environmental reasons and must be respected at all times.

Violation of closures may result in suspension or removal from the property.

Terrain Parks & Freestyle Features

Terrain parks and freestyle features contain unique risks and require good judgment.

Guests using freestyle terrain are expected to:

  • Inspect features before use

  • Use features appropriate to their ability level

  • Start small and progress gradually

  • Clear landing zones immediately

  • Avoid stopping on jumps, landings, or blind features

  • Respect feature closures and staff instructions

Freestyle terrain should always be approached with caution and awareness of other users.

Equipment & Facility Use

Bicycle Requirements

Only bicycles designed and intended for off-road mountain bike use are permitted on lifts and bike park trails.

The following are not permitted:

  • Mini bikes or pocket bikes

  • Motorized or gas-powered bikes

  • Pit bikes or motorcycles

  • Drift trikes or tricycles

  • Balance bikes

  • Bikes with training wheels

  • Bikes equipped only with coaster (pedal) brakes

  • Homemade or modified bicycles deemed unsafe by staff

  • Bicycles with damaged frames, wheels, handlebars, or brakes

All bicycles must:

  • Have fully functioning hand-operated brakes

  • Be in safe working condition

  • Be capable of being safely loaded and unloaded from the chairlift

  • Be appropriate for the terrain being accessed

Hilltop staff may deny lift or trail access to any bicycle or rider if equipment is determined to be unsafe, incompatible with bike park terrain, or creates operational concerns.

Improper conduct or misuse of equipment may result in suspension or revocation of privileges without refund.

Unauthorized equipment, including sleds, tubes, drones, or motorized vehicles, may not be used during operational hours unless approved by management.

Dogs are not permitted on the mountain during public operations unless authorized by management or required as a service animal.

Guests are expected to respect and care for Hilltop facilities and property.

Substance Use

Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and drug use are prohibited except in designated areas or approved events.

Guests who appear impaired or create safety concerns may be denied access to lifts, trails, or facilities and may be removed from the property.

Youth & Family Environment

Hilltop serves a large number of youth participants, school groups, beginner guests, and families.

Guests are expected to help maintain a positive, family-friendly atmosphere throughout all facilities, trails, lift areas, parking lots, lodges, and event spaces.

Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children and ensuring they understand and follow Hilltop's safety expectations.

Weather, Conditions & Operational Changes

Mountain conditions can change rapidly due to weather, visibility, maintenance, events, or operational needs.

Guests are responsible for:

  • Checking operational status and closures

  • Preparing for changing weather conditions

  • Following temporary closures or operational adjustments

  • Respecting staff decisions related to safety and operations

Hilltop reserves the right to close terrain, lifts, trails, or facilities at any time due to operational or safety concerns.

Enforcement

Guests who fail to follow these Community Standards may receive:

  • Verbal warnings

  • Loss of lift or trail access

  • Removal from the property

  • Suspension of visitation or pass privileges

  • Revocation of season pass access

  • Trespass restrictions

  • Involvement of law enforcement when appropriate

Serious safety violations, aggressive behavior, pass fraud, chairlift misuse, or unauthorized entry into closed terrain may result in immediate removal or suspension.

Hilltop reserves the right to suspend or revoke access at any time when guest behavior creates safety concerns, disrupts operations, damages property, or negatively impacts the experience of others.

These standards supplement, and do not replace, any liability waivers, season pass agreements, event rules, or applicable laws.

Community Commitment

Hilltop exists to serve the community and provide positive outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

By respecting these standards and looking out for one another, we help create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Thank you for being part of the Hilltop community.

Questions or Concerns

For questions regarding these Community Standards or operational policies, please contact Guest Services or speak with a member of the Hilltop management team.