SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ski-exit-designated-gates

Heading from a ski resort into the backcountry, where should you leave the resort?

Only through a designated gate, never under a rope.

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  1. Under the rope wherever the snow looks best
  2. Through any closed run, since it is empty
  3. Only through a designated backcountry gate ✔

Why: Ski Utah says to leave the resort only through designated gates, and to come back in only where no rope line blocks your path. Ducking a rope puts you in closed terrain.

Huh, didn't know that: In Utah, backcountry gates onto National Forest land stay open whenever the inbounds terrain leading to them is open.

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References

Answer: Only through a designated backcountry gate. Ski Utah says to leave the resort only through designated gates, and to come back in only where no rope line blocks your path. Ducking a rope puts you in closed terrain.

  1. Ski Utah: Resorts, Backcountry and the Rope www.skiutah.com/blog/authors/tony/resorts-backcountry-and-the-rope
    only leave the resort through designated gates, and only come back into the resort where there is no rope line blocking your path
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Ski Utah: Resorts, Backcountry and the Rope www.skiutah.com/blog/authors/tony/resorts-backcountry-and-the-rope
    Backcountry gates that access National Forest land, however, are permanently open so long as the inbounds terrain accessing them is open as well.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Winter Park Resort: Safety and Conduct www.winterparkresort.com/the-mountain/safety-and-conduct
    Winter Park has zero tolerance on closed trail violations. The violator's pass will be revoked for the season.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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