Mobility Devices - Winter Operations

The ski area allows individuals with mobility disabilities to use designated devices, such as wheelchairs and other manually powered aids, in areas/facilities open to the public.

This ski area allows the use of adaptive devices or other manually powered mobility aids on the slopes.

Adaptive devices may be defined as specialized equipment that has been designed and manufactured primarily for use by individuals who have disabilities, including but not limited to mono-skis, bi-skis, sit-skis, and outriggers. Mountain Highs Winter Sports Center will arrange for any adaptive equipment that meets this definition when requested for rental in advance by individuals wanting to enjoy winter sports at our resort.

Mountain High prohibits the use of any power drive-driven mobility device’ on ski trails or within the ski area boundary (as defined by the National Forest Service), except for the use of snowmobiles by Mountain High employees as defined in the Resorts Snowmobile Guideline. This Ski Area has determined that the use of power-driven devices or vehicles by the public, including other power-driven mobility devices used by individuals with mobility disabilities, would conflict with the Ski Area’s safety requirements necessary for the reasonably safe operations of our on-slope activities. These safety concerns include the use of devices on the slopes that expose the user and skiers/snowboarders to a safety hazard; collisions with downhill riders; the use of devices that may provide access into closed areas that pose avalanche hazards. These safety concerns are compounded by our facility's high volume of trail use. These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory in any way.

Service Animals on Lifts

During the winter season, the use of service animals on ski lifts and ski terrain is prohibited because it directly conflicts with Mountain High’s safety requirements and impedes the reasonably safe operation of on-slope activities. These safety concerns include the real potential for conflicts between service animals and skiers or riders; compounded further by the large volume of slope and trail use. These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory in any way. If you require a service animal that is restricted from an area or activity, please inquire with Guest Services to see if an alternative arrangement can be made.

Summer Operations (Subject to Change)

Mountain High Resort facilities are open to the public during the off-season (typically mid-April through the end of November). If a guest with a disability is attending a private event hosted at Mountain High during the off-season mobility devices shall be permitted in accordance with the following exceptions.

The use of any power-driven devices or vehicles by the public, including other power-driven mobility devices used by individuals with mobility disabilities, creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment and natural resources. Due to the need to address soil integrity, erosion and vegetative concerns, the Resort has adopted a “no motorized” policy for the public during the summer season and their use is prohibited on areas not paved on the resort premise. Devices may be used on all paved areas. Visitors or guests attending a function or participating in other resort activities may request in advance and if available a reasonable accommodation for transportation. Call 760-316-7869 Resort Safety.

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed in all public areas within the resort's base area facilities. Miniature horses are also permitted if they meet the following requirements; Less than 80 pounds in weight and must be housebroken. Due to periods of high traffic/volume within resort facilities, it has been decided that allowing large animals in the base area facilities may compromise the safety of the guests in the event of an emergency evacuation. The above requirement is not intended to be discriminatory and is based on actual safety risks.

Mountain High resort allows the use of service animals on lifts and trails under the following conditions.

  • Aerial lifts – the lift is to be stopped for loading and unloading of the guest and service animal.
  • Owner/handler must provide a harness for the animal capable of securing the animal and supporting its full weight in the event of a lift evacuation. On Trails – animals must be on a leash less than 8 feet in length and under the immediate control of the handler at all times. Mountain High will not be responsible for injury to or death of the service animal through its actions assisting an individual with disabilities due to inherent risks of the Mountain Environment.

Mountain High complies with ADA regulations (§ 35.136) as follows:

Generally, Mountain High may modify its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability.
Exceptions. Mountain High may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if—

  • The animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it;
  • The animal is not housebroken.

If an animal is properly excluded. If an entity properly excludes a service animal under § 35.136, it shall give the individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

A service animal shall be under the control of its handler. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

Care or supervision. Mountain High is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal.

Inquiries

Mountain High shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal. An entity may ask (1) if the animal is required because of a disability and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

Mountain High may ask persons using an “other power mobility device’ to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person’s disability. Mountain High accepts the presentations of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other state-issued proof of Disability, as a credible assurance that the use if other power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In the absence of proof, Mountain High shall allow the use of other power-driven mobility device if the individual states it is being used for disability. Any evidence to the contrary may be evaluated and acted upon by this resort.

Mountain High is committed to a legendary resort experience by all winter sports enthusiasts and will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

For more information, you may visit our Guest Services booth.