Uber debuts a new way to get skiers and riders to the slopes

Uber Ski gives skiers and riders a new way to get themselves and their equipment to the slopes. (Uber image)

Uber is getting into the snow sports business. 

The popular ride-sharing company has introduced “Uber Ski,” a new feature that allows skiers and riders the ability to order an Uber ride that will feature either a ski/snowboard rack, or confirmed extra space in the vehicle to occupy your boards. 

Riders will pay a surcharge for the selection on top of their standard trip fare. Riders will be able to view the Uber Ski surcharge on their receipt, and the surcharge will be added to their upfront price when that option is selected in-app.

Uber Ski has initially been launched in Anchorage, Boise, Boston, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eastern Washington, Flagstaff, Fort Collins, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Lehigh Valley, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Hampshire, Portland (Oregon), Portland (Maine), The Rockies (Colorado), Salt Lake City, Seattle, Upstate New York, Vermont, Wilkes-Barre Scranton, Worcester, Wyoming. 

The option of choosing an Uber Ski ride will pop up during the selection of a vehicle. For instance, a ride from the Green Mountain Inn, in downtown Stowe, Vt., to the base of Stowe Mountain Resort will run $27.01 with Uber Ski. A lift from the Green Granite Inn, in North Conway, N.H., to Cranmore Mountain Resort will run riders $20.01. 

The surcharge ends up being about twice the base of the UberX option, but it is a convenient way to consider getting around a ski town should your wheels be unavailable. It might even be a good excuse to sleep in on those cold mornings, assuring the rest of your party that you’ll show up later toward the afternoon. 

eric.wilbur@skijournal.com