Guided Skiing and Snowshoeing CUA

 

Overview

The CUA authorizes guided cross-country snowshoeing and ski touring trips on low to moderate angle terrain which does not exceed incidental slope angles of 34°.

 

General Provisions

1. The Skiing and Snowshoeing CUA includes the following activities:
   1. Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Skate Skiing, Snowshoeing tours in which certified guides lead groups in educational and interpretive tours throughout the park, including low angle terrain and groomed ski trails. Defined as trips that involve traditional cross-country equipment, travel on established trails, and primary objective does not include skiing on downhill slopes.
   2. Alpine Touring, Backcountry, Off-piste, Telemark Skiing tours in which certified guides lead groups in educational and interpretive tours throughout the park, including medium angle, untracked terrain and groomed ski trails. Defined as trips that involve traditional touring equipment, primarily ski downhill slopes, and travel off established trails. Equipment typically requires skins or aggressive scales for uphill travel.
2. Prohibitions: Ski lessons, ski schools, and ski mountaineering activities are not authorized under this CUA. Ski mountaineering is defined for the purposes of this authorization as climbing peaks and/or taking routes that require the use of technical mountaineering equipment. (i.e. aids used for protection from falls such as crampons, ice axes, ice screws, ropes).
3. Maximum group size for day use is 12 people, which must include at least one guide.
4. CUA holders are limited to 3 groups per day. Each group must be dispersed a minimum of 60 minutes apart and may not congregate at a destination.
5. In the Hwy 191 corridor, CUA holders are encouraged to carpool and/or provide transportation to participants to mitigate limited parking access.
6. For Alpine Touring, Backcountry, Off-piste, Telemark Skiing tours, offering trips with off trail travel:
   1. The CUA holder must submit trip itineraries upon CUA application, including general description, front and backcountry locations with detailed maps outlining proposed itinerary, and alternative routes. Application must include current guide roster, identifying lead guides, supporting guides, and their relevant certifications.
   2. CUA holders must maintain risk management plans for each trip itinerary that detail emergency communication procedures and emergency rescue/evacuation plan. The holder is not required to submit their risk management plan to the NPS during the application period. The NPS may request the plan in conjunction with administrative monitoring. Risk management is the responsibility of the holder.

Staffing and Employment

7. The guide, for any trip within the park, must have a basic knowledge of map reading and must have a topographic map of the area for their trip. It is recommended the guide have a compass and knowledge of compass use.
8. One guide on each trip must have relevant outdoor experience including previous wintertime experience on the trails and/or in the area they are guiding. All staff accompanying trips must meet basic requirements to guide activity.
9. All guides must carry a first aid kit suitable for backcountry emergencies and appropriately sized for the group they are guiding.
10. For trips taking place in the Backcountry, or beyond ½ mile of any trailhead or road, one guide on each trip must carry:
    1. a reliable emergency communication device which could include a GPS locator beacon, satellite messenger, cell phone, or satellite phone. While cell phones provide an excellent backup tool for emergency communications (911), they are not always reliable in Yellowstone’s backcountry. It is incumbent upon the operator to carry a device reliable in the geographic area of the park where the trip is being conducted. 
    2. Carrying an emergency fire-starting kit is recommended.
11. When multiple guides are leading a trip, they must carry devices that will allow them to communicate with each other.
12. Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Skate Skiing, Snowshoeing tours
    1. Each guide must have completed an Avalanche Awareness course. Completion of a Recreational Level Avy 1 or equivalent course is recommended.
13. Alpine, Backcountry, Off-piste, Telemark Skiing tours
    1. One guide on each trip must have completed a Recreational Level Avy 2 or professional equivalent course. Each guide must have completed a Recreational Level Avy 1 or professional equivalent course. Completion of a Recreational Avy 2 or professional equivalent is recommended.
    2. Each guide must have completed an Avalanche Rescue Course
    3. One guide must be certified Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, Emergency Medical Technician, or higher-level certification.
    4. Each guide and clients are required to be equipped, at a minimum, with an avalanche transceiver, clinometer, shovel, and probe.

Operational Requirements

14. CUA holders are responsible for ensuring that guides and clients are properly attired for the current and forecasted weather conditions. Routes will be determined based on clients’ abilities and desires.
15. While in Yellowstone, the CUA holder or guide shall remain with their clients for the duration of the trip.
16. The CUA holder or guide shall provide all clients with an orientation prior to the trip which emphasizes safe practices while skiing and snowshoeing in winter conditions. At a minimum, the orientation should include nature and demands of the trips, safety and emergency procedures, weather conditions, park regulations, wildlife interactions, and Leave No Trace practices.
17. Skiing and snowshoeing are prohibited on groomed roads associated with oversnow vehicle traffic (i.e., Grand Loop Road), except on designated routes or crossings. Designated routes or crossings:
    1. The winter berm on the Mammoth Norris Road to the Snow Pass Trailhead(1K2)
    2. Canyon Junction to Dunraven Picnic area.
    3. Canyon Junction to Cascade Creek Trailhead
18. CUA holders are encouraged to stay in designated trail corridors.
19. Skiers and snowshoers should maintain separate tracks. Snowshoers should not use ski tracks to avoid creating hazardous conditions for skiers.
20. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is closed to off-trail travel, including climbing, between the Chittenden Bridge and Silver Cord Cascade (36 CFR § 1.5).
21. Overnight backcountry camping is not authorized under this CUA and requires an additional overnight backcountry CUA.

 

How to Apply for This Activity

1. Apply for a 2025 CUA through the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
2. To view tutorials on how to apply for a CUA using COARS please visit: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit.
3. 2024 permit holders, please visit Annual Reports and Management Fees to complete and submit reports and pay fees (due by January 31, 2025).
4. For proposed commercial operations taking place prior to December 31, 2024, please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail] for application materials.

 

Resources

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Main CUA page Apply for a CUA FAQs CUA Annual Reports Guide Info Registration and Park Entry Protocol	CUA Law and Policy CUA Denial and Revocation Policy Special Use Permits Backcountry Permits Special Park Conditions
Plan Your Tour	Learn About the Park
Park roads Accessibility Bear Management Areas Fishing Regulations Boating Regulations	Superintendent's Compendium Vital Signs Reports Resources for Commercial Guides Resources and Issues Handbook Foundation Document