A parked snowmobile is an inherent risk of skiing for which all skiers assume the risk under Colorado Ski Area Safety Act.
Posted: March 5, 2018 Filed under: Colorado, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: avalanche, Collision, Colorado Skier Safety Act, de novo review, deceleration, enlargement, exhaustive, feet, inherent dangers, Inherent Risks, lamp, man-made, Negligence per se, parked, recommendation, Respondeat Superior, right to appeal, Ski, Ski Areas, Ski Resort, ski run, Ski Safety Act, Skier, skiing, Slope, Snow, Snowmobile, Sport, statutory definition, Steamboat, Steamboat Ski Area, Terrain, Trail Leave a commentA Steamboat ski area employee parked a snowmobile at the bottom of a run. The plaintiff came down the run and hit the snowmobile injuring herself. She claimed the snowmobile was not visible from 100′ and was in violation of the Colorado Skier Safety Act. The Federal District Court for Colorado Disagreed.
Schlumbrecht-Muniz v. Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30484
State: Colorado, United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Plaintiff: Linda Schlumbrecht-Muniz, M.D.
Defendant: Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, a Delaware Corporation d/b/a STEAMBOAT
Plaintiff Claims: negligence, negligence per se, and respondeat superior
Defendant Defenses: Colorado Skier Safety Act
Holding: for the Defendant
Year: 2015
The plaintiff was skiing down a run at Steamboat Ski Area. (Steamboat is owned by Intrawest Resorts, Inc.) On that day, an employee of Steamboat parked a snowmobile at the bottom of that run. The snowmobile was not visible for 100′. The plaintiff collided with the vehicle incurring injury.
The plaintiff sued claiming simple negligence, negligence per se and respondeat superior. The Negligence per se claim was based on an alleged failure of the ski area to follow the Colorado Skier Safety Act.
The ski area filed a motion for summary judgment arguing the claims of the plaintiff failed to plead the information needed to allege a violation of the Colorado Skier Safety Act.
Analysis: making sense of the law based on these facts.
The court first looked at the requirements necessary to properly plead a claim.
“…the mere metaphysical possibility that some plaintiff could prove some set of facts in support of the pleaded claims is insufficient; the complaint must give the court reason to believe that this plaintiff has a reasonable likelihood of mustering factual support for these claims.” The ultimate duty of the court is to “determine whether the complaint sufficiently alleges facts supporting all the elements necessary to establish an entitlement to relief under the legal theory proposed.”
This analysis requires the plaintiff to plead facts sufficient to prove her claims to some certainty that the court can see without a major stretch of the imagination.
The ordinary negligence claims were the first to be reviewed and dismissed. The Colorado Skier Safety Act states that the defendant ski area is “immune from any claim for damages resulting from “…the inherent dangers and risks of skiing…”
Notwithstanding any judicial decision or any other law or statute, to the contrary, … no skier may make any claim against or recover from any ski area operator for injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
Although the law allows suits against ski areas for violation of the act, those claims must be plead specifically and fit into the requirements set forth in the act. As such the court found the defendant Steamboat could be liable if:
Accordingly, Steamboat may be liable under one of two theories: a skier may recover if her injury resulted from an occurrence not considered an inherent danger or risk of skiing; or a skier may recover if the ski operator violated a provision of the Act and that violation resulted in injury.
The first claim of an injury that was not an inherent risk of skiing would hold the defendant ski area liable for a negligence claim. The second requires specific violation of the Colorado Skier Safety Act.
Steamboat argued that pursuant to the Colorado Skier Safety Act, the term inherent risks as defined in the act were to be read broadly and a parked snowmobile was an inherent risk of skiing.
The Ski Safety Act defines “inherent dangers and risks of skiing” to mean:
…those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, extreme terrain, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with such natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other man-made structures and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, jumps, and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
The court then looked at decisions interpreting the inherent risk section to determine if the act was to be construed narrowly or broadly.
In all cases, Colorado courts looked at the act as a list of the possible risks of skiing but not all the possible risks. As such, a snowmobile parked at the bottom of the slope was an inherent risk of skiing.
I am also persuaded that the presence of a parked snow mobile at the end of a ski run is an inherent risk of the sport of skiing. While Steamboat cites Fleury for that court’s description of the “common understanding of a ‘danger,'” and analogizes the presence of a snowmobile to cornices, avalanches, and rubber deceleration mats for tubing, I find that a parked snowmobile is not analogous to those examples because a snowmobile is not part of the on-course terrain of the sport.
The court also found that even if the snowmobile parked on a run was not an inherent risk, the statute required skiers to stay away from vehicles and equipment on the slopes. “Each skier shall stay clear of snow-grooming equipment, all vehicles, lift towers, signs, and any other equipment on the ski slopes and trails.”
The plaintiff’s argument was the violation of the statute was failing to properly for failing to properly outfit the snowmobile.
Plaintiff clarifies in her Response that the negligence per se claim is for violation of section 33-44-108(3), which requires snowmobiles operated “on the ski slopes or trails of a ski area” to be equipped with “[o]ne lighted headlamp, one lighted red tail lamp, a brake system maintained in operable condition, and a fluorescent flag at least forty square inches mounted at least six feet above the bottom of the tracks.”
Plaintiff also argued the statute was violated because the snowmobile was not visible for 100′ as required by the statute. However, this put the plaintiff in a catch 22. If the plaintiff was not a vehicle, then it was a man-made object which was an inherent risk of skiing. If she pleads the snowmobile was a vehicle and not properly equipped, then she failed to stay away from it.
Neither approach leads Plaintiff to her desired result. Steamboat correctly asserts that if the snow-mobile is characterized as a man-made object, Plaintiff’s impact with it was an inherent danger and risk pursuant to section, and Steamboat is immune to liability for the resulting injuries. If Plaintiff intends for her Claim to proceed under the theory that Steamboat violated section 33-44-108(3) by failing to equip the snowmobile with the proper lighting, she did not plead that the parked vehicle lacked the required items, and mentions only in passing in her Response that the vehicle “did not have an illuminated head lamp or trail lamp because it was not operating.”
The final claim was based on respondeat superior.
Plaintiff has alleged that the Steamboat employee was acting within the scope of her employment when she parked the snowmobile at the base of Bashor Bowl. See id. (“Under the theory of respondeat superior, the question of whether an employee is acting within the scope of the employment is a question of fact”)
Because the respondeat claim was derivative of the prior claims, and they were dismissed, the respondeat superior claim must fail. Derivative means that the second claim is wholly based on the first claim. If the first claim fails, the second claim fails.
So Now What?
This is another decision in a long line of decisions expanding the risks a skier assumes on Colorado slopes. The inherent risks set forth in Colorado Skier Safety Act are examples of the possible risks a skier can assume, not the specific set of risks.
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Colorado Federal District Court judge references a ski area lift ticket in support of decision granting the ski area’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing the lawsuit.
Posted: August 7, 2017 Filed under: Colorado, Release (pre-injury contract not to sue), Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Adhesion Contract, bargaining, Chair Lift, collectively, equipment rental, exculpation, exculpatory, language contained, Lift Ticket, lift tickets, loading, loss of consortium, moving party, negligence claims, question of law, recreational, Release, Rental Agreement, riding, safely, service provided, Ski, ski area, Ski lift, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Ski Sunlight, skiing, Snow, Sports, Standard of Care, Summary judgment, unambiguous language, unambiguously, Unloading Leave a commentThe Federal District Court in this case used the language of the lift ticket to support the defendant ski area’s motion for summary judgment. The decision also says the release is valid for lift accidents in Colorado closing one of the last gaps in suits against ski areas in Colorado.
Rumpf v. Sunlight, Inc., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 107946
State: Colorado, United States District Court for the District of Colorado
Plaintiff: Sally Rumpf & Louis Rumpf
Defendant: Sunlight, Inc.
Plaintiff Claims: negligence, negligence per se, and loss of consortium
Defendant Defenses: (1) they are barred by the exculpatory language contained in both the ski rental agreement and the lift ticket; (2) they fail for a lack of expert testimony; and (3) that Sally Rumpf
was negligent per se under the Ski Safety Act.
Holding: for the Defendant
Year: 2016
The plaintiff traveled to Glenwood Springs, Colorado to visit family and ski. She rented equipment from the
defendant ski area, Ski Sunlight and purchased a lift ticket. As required to rent the ski equipment, the plaintiff signed a release.
While attempting to board a chair lift, the plaintiff injured her shoulder. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment which the court granted with this decision.
Analysis: making sense of the law based on these facts.
In the statement of the facts, the court quoted from the language on the lift ticket.
Holder understands that he/she is responsible for using the ski area safely and for having the physical dexterity to safely load, ride and unload the lifts. Holder agrees to read and understand all signage and instructions and agrees to comply with them. Holder understands that he/she must control his/her speed and course at all times and maintain a proper lookout. Holder understands that snowmobiles, snowcats, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time. In consideration of using the premises, Holder agrees to ASSUME ALL RISKS associated with the activities and to HOLD HARMLESS the Ski Area and its representatives for all claims for injury to person or property. Holder agrees that any and all disputes between Holder and the Ski Area regarding an alleged incident shall be governed by COLORADO LAW and EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION shall be in the State or Federal Courts of the State of Colorado.
What is interesting is the Colorado Skier Safety Act, C.R.S. §§ 33-44-107(8)(b) requires specific language to be on the lift ticket.
WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: Changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
It is unclear from the decision, and I do not have a copy of the Ski Sunlight lift ticket, to know if the required language is on the lift ticket. However, the language that was on the lift ticket was important and used by the court to make its decision.
The language required by the Colorado Skier Safety Act speaks to the risks assumed by a skier while skiing and does not speak to any risks of a chair lift. This creates an obvious conflict in the law for a ski area. Do you use the language required by the statute or use different language that a federal judge has said was instructive in stopping the claims of a plaintiff.
The court found the plaintiff had read and understood the release and knew she was bound by it. The plaintiff’s argument centered on the theory that the release did not cover lift accidents based on a prior case, Bayer v. Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Inc., 960 P.2d 70 (1998). That case held that a ski area owes the highest degree of care to skiers on the lift.
Plaintiffs further argue that the exculpatory language at issue is “only applicable to ski cases when the accident or injury occurs while the plaintiff is skiing or snowboarding on the slopes,” and not when loading the ski lift.
The Bayer decision changed the liability issues for Colorado Ski Areas. It also created the only gap in protection for Colorado Ski Areas between the Colorado Skier Safety Act and release law. However, this was significantly modified by Brigance v. Vail Summit Resorts, Inc., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31662, reviewed in Question answered; Colorado Premises Liability Act supersedes Colorado Ski Area Safety act. Standard of care owed skiers on chairlift’s reasonable man standard?
The court then reviewed the requirements under Colorado law for releases to be valid.
Exculpatory agreements, which attempt to insulate a party from liability for its own negligence, are generally recognized under Colorado law, but are construed narrowly and “closely scrutinized” to ensure that the agreement was fairly entered into and that the intention of the parties is expressed in clear and unambiguous language. Additionally, the terms of exculpatory agreements must be strictly construed against the drafter.
The court reiterated several times that it was the intent of the parties within the language of the release that was the important aspect of the release, more than the specific language of the release. This intent was supported by the language on the lift ticket. Colorado has a 4 factor test to determine the validity of a release.
…in determining the validity of an exculpatory agreement, the Court must consider the following factors: (1) whether the service provided involves a duty to the public; (2) the nature of the service provided; (3) whether the agreement was fairly entered into; and (4) whether the intention of the parties is expressed in clear and unambiguous language.
Skiing in Colorado is recreational and not a service, so there is no public duty that would void a release. Because it is a service, and the plaintiff is free to go ski else where there is no adhesion so the agreement was entered into by the parties fairly.
Adhesion was defined by the court in Colorado as:
…Colorado defines an adhesion contract as “generally not bargained for, but imposed on the public for a necessary service on a take it or leave it basis.” However, printed form contracts offered on a take it or leave it basis, alone, do not render the agreement an adhesion contract.
For the plaintiff to win her argument, the plaintiff must show “, “that the parties were greatly disparate in bargaining power, that there was no opportunity for negotiation, or that [the] services could not be obtained elsewhere.”
The court then applied contract law to determine if the agreement was ambiguous.
“Interpretation of a written contract and the determination of whether a provision in the contract is ambiguous are questions of law.” Under Colorado law, I must examine the actual language of the agreements for legal jargon, length and complication, and any likelihood of confusion or failure of a party to recognize the full extent of the release provisions.
The court in reviewing the release found the release to clearly and unambiguously set forth the party’s intent to release the ski area from liability.
The court again backed up its decision by referring to the language on the lift ticket.
Furthermore, the ski lift ticket specifically references safely loading, riding and unloading Sunlight’s ski lifts and provides that the “Holder agrees to ASSUME ALL RISKS associated with the activities and to HOLD HARMLESS the Ski Area and its representatives for all claims for injury to person or property.”
As such the release was valid and stopped the claims of the plaintiff and her spouse.
So Now What?
Although the basics of the decision are familiar under Colorado law, the court’s reference to the language on the lift ticket is a departure from Colorado law and the law of most other states. See Lift tickets are not contracts and rarely work as a release in most states.
Whether or not a lift ticket standing by itself is enough to stop a claim is still in the air and probably will be. The language on this lift ticket may have been different than the language required by law, which basically states the skier assumes the risk of skiing. The required statutory language does not cover any issues with loading, unloading or riding chair lifts.
This creates a major conflict for ski areas. What do you put on the lift ticket. The statute requires specific language; however, there are no penalties for failing to put the language on the lift ticket. However, it is negligence to violate any part of the statute, if that negligence caused an injury.
C.R.S. §§ 33-44-104. Negligence – civil actions.
(1) A violation of any requirement of this article shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of the person violating such requirement.
(2) A violation by a ski area operator of any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the passenger tramway safety board pursuant to section 25-5-704 (1) (a), C.R.S., shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of such operator.
Failing to put the language on the lift ticket by itself could not cause an injury. The language required on the lift ticket is the same language required to be posted where ever lift tickets are sold and posted at the bottom of all base area lifts. Base area lifts are the lifts used to get up the mountain. Lifts that start further up the mountain, which require a lift right to reach don’t need the warning signs.
My advice is to include the statutory language and much of the language of this decision on lift tickets. You just don’t want to walk into a courtroom and be accused of failing to follow the law. You might be right, but you will look bad and looking bad is the first step in writing a check. The biggest limitation is going to be the size of the lift ticket and print size.
This case, although decided before Question answered; Colorado Premises Liability Act supersedes Colorado Ski Area Safety act. Standard of care owed skiers on chairlift’s reasonable man standard? and was quoted in this decision, it adds another block into what is now an almost impregnable wall against claims from skiers in Colorado.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Plaintiff tries to hold ski area liable for exceeding the state ski statute, however the court sees the flaws in the argument.
Posted: January 20, 2014 Filed under: Assumption of the Risk, New Hampshire, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Defendant, Eileen Gwyn, Estate of Howard Gwyn, increased risk of harm, Loon Mountain Corporation, Loon Mountain Ski Area, Margaret Do, Negligence, New Hampshire, ski area, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, skiing, Summary judgment, voluntarily assumed duty negligently performed 1 CommentThe New Hampshire Ski Area Safety Act only requires a ski area to post as a sign to close a run. The plaintiff tried to claim that a rope closing the run created greater liability rather more protection for skiers and boarders. A voluntarily assumed duty negligently performed is something always created in many outdoor recreation programs or businesses. However, it is not the change that is the legal issue. It is whether or not you increased the risk of harm to your guests that is controlling.
Gwyn v. Loon Mountain Corporation, 350 F.3d 212; 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 23995
Plaintiff: Eileen Gwyn, on her own behalf, and as Executrix of the Estate of Howard Gwyn, and Margaret Do
Defendant: Loon Mountain Corporation, d/b/a Loon Mountain Ski Area
Plaintiff Claims: violation of the New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act
Defendant Defenses: New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act
Holding: for the defendant ski area
In this case, two people died and one person was injured on an icy ski slope. The first victim standing above the closed trail slipped and slid under the rope 900 feet to his death. The next two victims took off their skis and tried to hike down to the first victim. Both eventually fell sliding down the slope.
The survivors and the estates sued claiming violation of the New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act and common law negligence claims. The lower court dismissed all but two of the claims on the defendant’s motion to dismiss. Those two claims were eventually dismissed after discovery had occurred, and the defendant filed a motion for summary judgment.
The plaintiff’s appealed the dismissal.
Summary of the case
The trail the plaintiff’s fell down had been closed because it was icy. The New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act required that a notice be placed on signs at the base of the lift, on trail-boards, and a sign posted at designated access points.
The plaintiff argued that the trail had to be closed not only at the main access point to the trail, but all possible access points to the closed trail from other trail. The court looked at a trail map of the area and realized that the signage alone to mark a trail closed would be enormous.
The second argument was the most disturbing. The statute did not require that a rope be used to close a trail. Only a sign was needed to close a trail. By placing the rope across the trail the rope “could lure a skier closer to the icy entrance than one would go otherwise.” The plaintiff then argued that by a duty, voluntarily assumed but negligently performed was not protected by the ski statute.
There are situations where a voluntary act increases the risk of harm to someone creating negligence.
…but the common law rule sometimes permits a claim for negligent performance of a voluntary act where the negligence “increases the risk” of harm, or harm is caused by the victim’s “reliance upon the undertaking” to provide help or care.
The district court rejected this argument.
[The] complaint is devoid of allegations suggesting that defendant’s failure to exercise reasonable care to perform the identified undertakings created the icy area where the falls took place, exacerbated an already dangerous situation, caused Howard Gwyn and Do to enter an area they would not have entered absent the undertakings, or caused Howard Gwyn and Do to suffer worse injuries than they would have suffered absent the undertakings.
Because the first person to fall slipped on an ice patch, which was an inherent risk assumed by the skier under the statute, the plaintiff could not argue the risk was increased. The risk was there, and the rope did not change or increase the risk.
The only duty Loon voluntarily undertook–placing a rope across the trail–put the plaintiffs in no worse a position than they would have been without the rope. One can think of circumstances where a badly placed rope would cause or contribute to an accident but this simply is not such a case.
The next two plaintiffs obviously assumed the risk and by taking off their skis, probably increased the risks themselves.
The remaining claims of the plaintiff were dealt with quickly. The first was the New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act violated the New Hampshire Constitution. However, the New Hampshire Supreme Court had already ruled it did not. The final two were procedural in nature. Whether the question on appeal had been certified and whether the plaintiff’s request to amend their complaint had been improperly denied.
So Now What?
Cases like this scare outdoor recreation programs into not doing the next thing to make a program better because of fear of creating more problems. Do not allow the threat of a lawsuit from making your program better or safer.
Do make your changes or upgrades such that the changes do not place your guests in a place of increased risk or such that you have placed your guests in a position where they may be confused.
Any risk can be assumed by your guests, clients or skiers. You need to make sure that any changes in your program, operation or business results in a change in the information and education your clients receive about the risk.
Here the risk had not changed to the plaintiff so that the change, the actions above those required by the statute, did not increase the risk to the plaintiff’s. The icy spot was there whether or not the rope was placed closing the trail or where the rope was placed.
Do the right thing and continue with an education of your guests to make sure they know what you are doing and why and what those risks are.
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Gwyn v. Loon Mountain Corporation, 350 F.3d 212; 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 23995
Posted: January 20, 2014 Filed under: Assumption of the Risk, Legal Case, New Hampshire, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Eileen Gwyn, Estate of Howard Gwyn, increased risk of harm, Loon Mountain, Loon Mountain Corporation, Loon Mountain Ski Area, Margaret Do, New Hampshire, ski area, Ski Safety Act, voluntarily assumed duty negligently performed Leave a commentGwyn v. Loon Mountain Corporation, 350 F.3d 212; 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 23995
Eileen Gwyn, on her own behalf, and as Executrix of the Estate of Howard Gwyn, and Margaret Do, Plaintiffs, Appellants, v. Loon Mountain Corporation, d/b/a Loon Mountain Ski Area, Defendant, Appellee.
No. 03-1047
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT
350 F.3d 212; 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 23995
November 25, 2003, Decided
SUBSEQUENT HISTORY: As Amended December 2, 3003.
PRIOR HISTORY: [**1] APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. Hon. Paul J. Barbadoro, U.S. District Judge.
Gwyn v. Loon Mt. Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9092 (D.N.H., 2002)
Gwyn v. Loon Mt. Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24625 (D.N.H., 2002)
DISPOSITION: Affirmed.
COUNSEL: Kevin M. Leach with whom Nixon, Raiche, Manning, Casinghino & Leach, P.C. was on brief for appellants.
Thomas Quarles, Jr. with whom Margaret O’Brien, Matthew R. Johnson and Devine, Millimet & Branch, P.A. were on brief for appellee.
JUDGES: Before Boudin, Chief Judge, Siler, * Senior Circuit Judge, and Lynch, Circuit Judge.
* Of the Sixth Circuit, sitting by designation.
OPINION BY: BOUDIN
OPINION
[*214] BOUDIN, Chief Judge. In this tragic case, two individuals were killed and a third badly injured in a skiing accident in New Hampshire. The details are set forth in two very able opinions by the district court. Thus, we confine ourselves to an abbreviated description focused on the two primary issues raised on this appeal: one is an important question of statutory construction and the other a narrower issue turning upon the pleadings.
Howard and Eileen Gwyn, their daughter Margaret Do, and Margaret’s fiance Mark Goss went on a ski vacation in Lincoln, New Hampshire. On January 25, 1999, they spent the morning together skiing down [**2] easy trails at Loon Mountain Ski Area (“Loon”). Shortly before lunch, Howard, Margaret, and Mark–all very experienced skiers–left Eileen and rode the chairlift up to the Summit Lodge to ski down some more difficult trails. Unbeknownst to them, Loon had closed one of the trails (named “Triple Trouble”) the night before because of icy conditions, a closure noted on the trail board at the bottom of the mountain.
[*215] From the summit, it was possible to ski directly down a trail named Big Dipper from which, part way down, Triple Trouble branched off to the skier’s right. Or, from the summit, one could head right on a trail called Haulback, then take a left fork onto Cant Dog, and enter Big Dipper just above the point where Triple Trouble branched off to the right. At this branching off point from Big Dipper to Triple Trouble, Loon had posted a sign warning that Triple Trouble was closed. It had also placed a rope across the entrance to Triple Trouble.
From the summit, Howard led the group to the right down Haulback and then took a left turn onto Cant Dog. At the intersection of Cant Dog and Big Dipper–right above the closed Triple Trouble trail–Howard slipped on ice, slid under the rope [**3] blocking off Triple Trouble, and tumbled nine hundred feet down the icy slope. He suffered severe injuries resulting in his death a few days later. Margaret Do and Mark Goss saw Howard Gwyn fall, removed their skis, and attempted to walk down the closed trail to rescue him. Both fell, sliding hundreds of feet down Triple Trouble trail. Goss died. Margaret Do suffered severe injuries and frostbite but was rescued several hours later. In this diversity suit, Margaret Do and Eileen Gwyn (as executrix of Howard Gwyn’s estate and on her own behalf) sued Loon for breach of multiple common law and statutory duties. The district court granted Loon’s motion to dismiss the majority of claims under New Hampshire’s “Skiers, Ski Area, and Passenger Tramway Safety Act,” N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 225-A:23 (2002) (“ski statute”). Two claims survived the motion to dismiss, but after discovery the district court granted summary judgment to Loon on both counts. Plaintiffs appealed, focusing attention on one statutory claim and one claim of common law negligence.
At the crux of this appeal is New Hampshire’s ski statute, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 225-A. In this [**4] statute several duties are placed on ski operators–maintaining trail boards, marking the difficulty of various slopes, making trail maps available to all skiers–and operators can be sued for violations of these statutory duties. § 225-A:23; Nutbrown v. Mt. Cranmore, Inc., 140 N.H. 675, 671 A.2d 548, 553 (N.H. 1996). At the same time, the statute places the risk of injury from dangers inherent in the sport of skiing on the skiers themselves, and bars all actions against ski operators for injuries caused by these dangers. 1 § 225-A:24; Nutbrown, 671 A.2d at 553. New Hampshire case law is slowly filling in the gaps but uncertainties remain.
1 [HN1] The statute provides that “each person who participates in the sport of skiing accepts as a matter of law[] the dangers inherent in the sport, and to that extent may not maintain an action against the operator for any injuries which result from such inherent risks, dangers, or hazards.” § 225-A:24; see also Nutbrown, 671 A.2d at 553 (“By participating in the sport of skiing, a skier assumes this inherent risk and may not recover against a ski area operator for resulting injuries.”).
[**5] Here, most of the counts and theories pressed by plaintiffs at the start are no longer in issue, but two major claims remain open on this appeal. The first is that Loon did not comply with a statutory duty relating to marking closed trails. Under the ski statute, operators are not required to close a trail because of hazardous conditions, but if they do close a trail they must mark “the beginning of, and designated access points to” the closed trail with a sign, § 225-A:23 (III)(b), and note the closure on a permanent trail board at the base of the mountain, § 225-A:23 (II)(a). Here, it is undisputed that Loon properly [*216] noted the closure on the trail board and properly marked “the beginning” of Triple Trouble at the point that it branched off Big Dipper.
Nevertheless, the plaintiffs say that a closed sign for Triple Trouble was also required by the statute at the uphill juncture where Cant Dog forked off Haulback–a point where a sign pointed the way to Big Dipper and Triple Trouble. This, they say, was itself an “access point” to Triple Trouble. Their causation theory is less clear: the implication is that such an early warning of a closed trail further downhill might have made [**6] Howard Gwyn decide to lead the group straight down Haulback instead of taking Cant Dog so they could avoid the entire region around the closed trail.
The district court ruled as a matter of law that “access points” as used in the New Hampshire statute referred to points of direct entry onto a trail, and did not include points above the start of the closed trail. Thus, the start of Cant Dog might conceivably be treated as an access point to Big Dipper since the former merged into the latter; once on Cant Dog, entry onto Big Dipper was inevitable. By contrast, nothing compelled one who took the fork to Big Dipper necessarily to take the fork from Big Dipper onto Triple Trouble.
We agree readily with the district court’s reading of the statute. True, as a matter of dictionary definition a remote fork to an intermediate trail that can lead eventually to the closed trail could be described as a way to “access” the later trail; but on this theory the summit itself would be an access point to every connected trail on the mountain below. Indeed, on plaintiffs’ reading, warning signs might have to be posted at a variety of different points wherever existing trail signs indicated that [**7] the closed trail could be reached somewhere downhill. Conceivably, plaintiffs’ position could also require ski operators to construct such directional signs even if they did not already exist in order to mark every downhill closure.
It would not be literally impossible to comply with such requirements–apparently some ski slopes do so mark their closed trails, at least where existing signs mention the trails–but it could involve fairly complex compliance measures. In fact, the Loon trail map indicates that from some trails one could reach nearly 30 different trails below–some of them through open intermediate trails branching off into other open forks. The simplicity of the statute’s requirements argues against an interpretation requiring ski operators to mark every one of those possibilities, and this interpretation is unnecessary to carry out what we perceive to be the rationale of the warning requirement.
In our view, the statute aims to give the skier warning of a trail closure at any point where the skier might otherwise commit himself to traverse the closed trail. This is a complete scheme of protection giving the skier both a comprehensive overview of all closures on the [**8] base trailboard, and specific notice of each closure at any point on the mountain where the skier has a last chance to avoid the closed trail.
This reading may leave some open issues, but it forecloses plaintiffs’ central claim in this case. Here, the plaintiffs argue that a sign should have been placed at the Haulback-Cant Dog junction, since Cant Dog led onto Big Dipper which in turn led onto Triple Trouble. But a skier does not commit himself to taking Triple Trouble merely by turning left onto Cant Dog. Big Dipper was an open trail which a skier could continue down without branching off onto Triple Trouble, so no warning sign as to Triple Trouble was required by [*217] the statute at the Haulback- Cant Dog fork, even though one could have been voluntarily provided.
The second claim on appeal is that the district court should not have rejected an alternative theory of the plaintiffs having nothing to do with notice. The plaintiffs said that the defendant had placed the rope across Triple Trouble somewhat below the entrance itself and that the placement was negligent because it could lure a skier closer to the icy entrance than one would go otherwise. Admittedly, there was no duty to [**9] use any closing rope at all (the statute made the signs sufficient) but the plaintiffs argue that a voluntarily assumed duty negligently performed is not immunized by the statute.
There are obvious risks in penalizing efforts to provide help or care beyond an existing duty, but the common law rule sometimes permits a claim for negligent performance of a voluntary act where the negligence “increases the risk” of harm, or harm is caused by the victim’s “reliance upon the undertaking” to provide help or care. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 323 (1965); see also Prosser & Keaton on Torts 378-82 (5th ed. 1984). The New Hampshire Supreme Court has not decided how far this doctrine may apply in the face of the state statute providing protection to ski operators. See Rayeski v. Gunstock Area/Gunstock Area Comm’n, 146 N.H. 495, 776 A.2d 1265, 1269 (N.H. 2001).
The district court did not attempt to answer this question. It rested its rejection of such a claim in this case on the fact that the plaintiffs had not articulated any plausible causal connection between the placement of the rope and Howard Gwyn’s fall. As the district court [**10] said:
[The] complaint is devoid of allegations suggesting that defendant’s failure to exercise reasonable care to perform the identified undertakings created the icy area where the falls took place, exacerbated an already dangerous situation, caused Howard Gwyn and Do to enter an area they would not have entered absent the undertakings, or caused Howard Gwyn and Do to suffer worse injuries than they would have suffered absent the undertakings.
We have read the plaintiffs’ appellate briefs with care and no persuasive answer to this summary appears.
The problem for the plaintiffs is that Howard Gwyn evidently slipped on an ice patch on Big Dipper, and [HN2] an icy and dangerous open slope is an inherent risk of skiing that the plaintiffs assumed as a matter of law. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 225-A:24(I); Nutbrown, 671 A.2d at 553-54 (citing Fetzner v. Jiminy Peak, The Mountain Resort, 1995 Mass. App. Div. 55, 1995 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 30, No. 94WAD16, 1995 WL 263916, at *2 (Mass. Dist. Ct. May 1, 1995) (slipping on ice is an inherent risk of skiing)). The only duty Loon voluntarily undertook–placing a rope across the trail–put the plaintiffs in no worse a position than [**11] they would have been without the rope. One can think of circumstances where a badly placed rope would cause or contribute to an accident but this simply is not such a case.
Three remaining claims can be dealt with more swiftly. First, plaintiffs say that as read by the district court (and now by this court), the New Hampshire statute violates two provisions of the New Hampshire Constitution: the right to a remedy and the equal protection of the laws. N.H. Const. part I, arts. 2, 12, 14. The claim is that the district court’s interpretation deprives the plaintiffs of their constitutionally guaranteed rights without giving them a sufficient quid pro quo of a prior warning of the danger. This argument may be forfeited since not raised [*218] below. Brigham v. Sun Life of Canada, 317 F.3d 72, 85 (1st Cir. 2003).
In any event the New Hampshire Supreme Court has already concluded that the obligations that the ski statute places on ski operators provide a sufficient quid pro quo for the statutory restriction on skiers’ legal remedies. Nutbrown, 671 A.2d at 552. While the “access points” issue was not considered in Nutbrown, this slight wrinkle would [**12] not be likely to alter the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s assessment. No further argument based on New Hampshire constitutional law is sufficiently developed to merit consideration. See Mass. Sch. of Law at Andover, Inc. v. Am. Bar Ass’n, 142 F.3d 26, 43 (1st Cir. 1998).
Second, plaintiffs say that the statutory reading of the access points language and the voluntary assumption issue present open questions of New Hampshire law that should be certified to the state court. No such request was made in the district court, which is ordinarily conclusive save in rare circumstances such as public policy concerns, e.g., Pyle v. S. Hadley Sch. Comm., 55 F.3d 20, 22 (1st Cir. 1995). In any event, the access points issue is too straightforward to deserve certification and the voluntary assumption claim has been resolved not on the basis of statutory preemption but simply on the pleadings and facts of this case.
Third, plaintiffs say that the district court erred by denying them the chance to amend their complaint for the second time (one earlier amendment had been made) two months after the deadline set by the district court’s scheduling order. The motion [**13] to amend was denied by the district court for failure to make any effort to satisfy the good cause requirement for amendments after the scheduling order deadline, Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(1), and also the disregard of Local Rule 15.1’s further requirements (e.g., attaching all relevant documents and explaining why the change had not been made before). D.N.H. R. 15.1.
On appeal, the plaintiffs say only that the district court erred by applying federal standards for amending pleadings instead of the supposedly more liberal amendment rules applicable in New Hampshire state courts. [HN3] But if anything comprises “procedural” rules exempt from the Erie doctrine, Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 82 L. Ed. 1188, 58 S. Ct. 817 (1938), it is the standards for such routine issues as the granting or denial of extensions of time, leave to amend, and similar housekeeping concerns. [HN4] The outcome determinative test relied upon by plaintiffs has been limited, see Hanna v. Plumer, 380 U.S. 460, 471, 14 L. Ed. 2d 8, 85 S. Ct. 1136 (1965), and has no application to a clearly procedural matter governed by explicit federal procedural rules.
[**14] This is a sad case but, despite the ingenuity and energy of plaintiffs’ counsel, it is not a close one, given the limitations imposed by state policy. It was handled with care and competence by the district court, and we might have said less but for a desire to make clear that plaintiffs’ arguments have been considered with respect.
Affirmed.
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Attractive Nuisance cases are rare, even rarer when it involves a ski area and ski lessons, let alone a collision case
Posted: December 9, 2013 Filed under: California, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Colorado Ski Safety Act, Premises Liability Act, Safety Act, ski lesson, Ski Safety Act, Snowmass, Snowmass Ski Area 2 CommentsThis is an early collision case and shows the development of alpine ski collision cases. This case also examines how courts review the Colorado Ski Safety Act and whether it conflicted with Colorado’s Premise Liability Statute.
Giebink v. Fischer, 709 F. Supp. 1012; 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7791
Plaintiff: James C. Giebink and Roxanne Johnson-Giebink, as parents and natural guardians of Michael Giebink, a minor; James C. Giebink, individually and Roxanne Johnson Giebink, individually, Plaintiffs
Defendant: Robert Fischer, as parent and natural guardian of Kevin Fischer, a minor; Robert Fischer, an individual and Aspen Skiing Corporation, a Colorado corporation, aka Aspen Skiing Company, and Jennifer Catherine Lang, Defendants
Plaintiff Claims:
Defendant Ski Area: negligent maintenance of the premises; C.R.S. 13-21-115, alleging that ASC “deliberately failed to exercise reasonable care to protect persons such as the minor Plaintiff, against dangers which were not ordinarily present on the aforesaid property despite the fact that Defendant actually knew or should have known of said dangers; and,
Under an attractive nuisance theory.
Defendant Ski School is liable for the negligent supervision of Michael by its agents and/or employees during the course of Michael’s ski lesson; and,
For negligent supervision and instruction of Michael while enrolled in the ski school.
Defendant Defenses: Colorado Skier Safety Act
Holding: partially for the plaintiff and for the defendant
This case was filed in federal district court gave rise to this decision based on motions to dismiss filed by the defendants’ ski area and ski school. The motions were an attempt to dismiss the majority of the plaintiff’s claims, to weaken their position and their case.
The defendant was skiing at Snowmass Mountain Resort when the defendant allegedly collided with the plaintiff. At the time of the collision, the plaintiff was enrolled in a ski lesson with the defendant ski school. The defendant skier was “lured” to a roll or jump on the slope which he went over colliding with the plaintiff. It was this roll that was defined as the property creating the attractive nuisance.
This was a different approach to attractive nuisance. Attractive nuisance is normally used to recover from a landowner when something on the land attracted the minor on to the land resulting in the minor being injured. Here the minor who was attracted to land, was legally on the land and caused injury to another.
The court classified the plaintiff as an invited guest and customer of Snowmass. This definition took in both statutes the court was going to have to decide in this case, the Colorado Ski Safety Act and the Colorado’s Premises Liability Statute’
Summary of the case
The court first looked at the plaintiff’s allegations that the Colorado Ski Safety Act violated Colorado’s Premises Liability Statute and as such was unconstitutional. Under the Premises Liability Statute, the duty owed to the plaintiff would be as a business invitee which is the highest degree of care owed to someone on your land and a much higher degree of care than required under the ski safety act. The premise’s liability statute defines the liability of a business invitee as:
If the landowner has expressly or impliedly invited the plaintiff onto the real property for the purposes of the landowner, the plaintiff may recover for damages caused by the landowner’s deliberate failure to exercise reasonable care to protect against dangers, which are not ordinarily present on property of the type involved and of which he actually knew.
The court found the statutes did not conflict because statutes were directed at different types of “dangerous activities and conditions.”
The court then reviewed the plaintiff’s argument that the defendant ski area failed to protect the plaintiff from dangers it should have known. The claim was based on a statute that requires actual knowledge. In this case, it means the defendant would have to have known the defendant skier was going to collide with the plaintiff. The knowledge required was more than foreseeable; it had to be actual to create liability.
The Ski Safety Act imposes specific duties upon ski operators as a means of protecting skiers against dangerous conditions that are commonly present at ski areas. In general, it does not protect against dangers arising from conditions or activities which are not ordinarily present at ski areas.
In contrast, the premises liability statute imposes liability against all landowners for conditions, or activities conducted on, or circumstances existing on his or her property. “If the landowner has expressly or impliedly invited the plaintiff onto the real property for the purposes of the landowner, the plaintiff may recover for damages caused by the landowner’s deliberate failure to exercise reasonable care to protect against dangers which are not ordinarily present on property of the type involved and of which he actually knew.”
Not to hold this way, the court stated, it would subject ski area operators to greater liability than other landowners. Because the plaintiff failed to make any claims under the Ski Safety Act, only claims under the Premises Liability Act the plaintiff was out on his negligence claims. Without the Premises Liability Act to support the claims, the claims failed when the Premises Liability Act was held not to supersede the Ski Area Safety Act.
However, the court reasoned the plaintiff’s claims of negligent supervision were not based on the premise’s liability statute those claims were allowed to continue. “Instructing people in the sport of skiing is not inherently related to the land.”
The attractive nuisance claims were also dismissed.
The purpose of the doctrine is to protect children from hazards, which tend to attract them onto property. By allowing the doctrine to survive the enactment of the premise’s liability statute, the Legislature evidenced an intent to give children under the age of fourteen protections beyond that which is now available to other persons. This protection logically should extend to children, regardless of their status as a trespasser, licensee, or invitee.
The doctrine only applies to features on the land that are unnatural and unusual.
The doctrine requires that the object be unnatural and unusual. This limitation protects landowners from liability for conditions, which are present on their property of which children should reasonably recognize the associated dangers.
Because the roll was natural and not unusual, the roll was not an attractive nuisance.
A possessor of land is . . . under a duty to keep so much of his land as he knows to be subject to the trespasses of young children, free from artificial conditions which involve an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm to them. This does not require him to keep his land free from conditions which even young children are likely to observe and the full extent of the risk involved in which they are likely to realize. The purpose of the duty is to protect children from dangers which they are unlikely to appreciate and not to protect them against harm resulting from their own immature recklessness in the case of known danger. Therefore, even though the condition is one which the possessor should realize to be such that young children are unlikely to realize the full extent of the danger of meddling with it or encountering it, the possessor is not subject to liability to a child who in fact discovers the condition and appreciates the full risk involved therein but none the less chooses to encounter it out of recklessness or bravado.
The court dismissed the claims based on conditions of the land, but not those based on general negligence that were not based on the land.
So Now What?
This case has little direction for ski areas. However, it is a fundamental building block in Colorado law for the ski industry. The case also shows how a court determines which of two statutes will be controlling and how that decision is made by the courts.
The legal doctrine of attractive nuisance is also fading and not used much anymore. However, this case is a good analysis of the attractive nuisance doctrine. Here you can see that unnatural things on your land, which attract minors, under the age of 14, that causes injury to the minor can hold the landowner liable. Normally, a landowner would not be liable in this situation to a trespasser.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Giebink v. Fischer, 709 F. Supp. 1012; 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7791
Posted: December 9, 2013 Filed under: Colorado, Legal Case, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Colorado Ski Safety Act, Premises Liability Act, Safety Act, ski lesson, Ski Safety Act, Snowmass Ski Area Leave a commentGiebink v. Fischer, 709 F. Supp. 1012; 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7791
James C. Giebink and Roxanne Johnson-Giebink, as parents and natural guardians of Michael Giebink, a minor; James C. Giebink, individually and Roxanne Johnson Giebink, individually, Plaintiffs, v. Robert Fischer, as parent and natural guardian of Kevin Fischer, a minor; Robert Fischer, an individual and Aspen Skiing Corporation, a Colorado corporation, aka Aspen Skiing Company, and Jennifer Catherine Lang, Defendants
Civil Action No. 88-A-766
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
709 F. Supp. 1012; 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7791
March 22, 1989, Decided
March 22, 1989, Filed
COUNSEL: [**1] Scott R. Larson, Esq., Scott R. Larson, P.C., Denver, Colorado, Attorney for Plaintiffs.
Thomas E. Hames, Esq., Inman, Erickson & Flynn, P.C., Denver, Colorado, Attorney for Defendants Fischers.
Paul D. Nelson, Esq., Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft, San Francisco, California, Scott S. Barker, Esq., Mary D. Metzger, Esq., Perry L. Glantz, Esq., Holland & Hart, Englewood, Colorado, Attorneys for Defendants Aspen Skiing Co. and Jennifer Catherine Lang.
JUDGES: Alfred A. Arraj, United States District Judge.
OPINION BY: ARRAJ
OPINION
[*1013] MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON MOTION TO DISMISS
ALFRED A. ARRAJ, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
This matter is before the court on defendants Aspen Skiing Company’s (“ASC”) and Jennifer Catherine Lang’s (“Lang”) Motion to dismiss the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Portions of the Fourth Claim For Relief Contained in Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint. This is the second motion to dismiss filed in this case.
In order to understand the procedural posture of this motion, it is helpful to first set out the factual events upon which plaintiffs’ claims arose. According to plaintiffs, defendant Kevin Fischer, minor son of defendant Robert Fischer, collided with plaintiff Michael Giebink (“Michael”) in a skiing accident at Snowmass Ski Area on or about March 29, 1988. As a result, Michael was seriously injured. At [**2] the time of the accident it is alleged that Michael was an invited guest and customer at Snowmass Mountain Resort which is owned by ASC.
Plaintiffs’ Third Claim in its Second Amended Complaint is based upon ASC’s alleged negligent maintenance of the premises. Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim is apparently pled under C.R.S. 13-21-115, alleging that ASC “deliberately failed to exercise reasonable care to protect persons such as the minor Plaintiff, Michael Giebink, against dangers which were not ordinarily present on the aforesaid property despite the fact that Defendant actually knew or should have known of said dangers.” Second Amended Complaint para. 3 at 4. Plaintiffs’ Seventh Claim is also based upon the condition [*1014] of ASC’s premises under an attractive nuisance theory.
Plaintiffs further claim that Michael was enrolled in the Snowmass Ski School at the time of his accident. Defendant Jennifer Lang, an employee of ASC, was the skiing instructor. Plaintiffs’ Fifth Claim asserts that ASC is liable for the negligent supervision of Michael by its agents and/or employees during the course of Michael’s ski lesson. Plaintiffs’ Sixth Claim is against Lang, individually, for negligent supervision [**3] and instruction of Michael while enrolled in the ski school.
In its first motion to dismiss, defendant ASC moved to dismiss those of plaintiffs’ claims which were pled under theories of common law negligence. Defendant argued that C.R.S. § 13-21-115, the Colorado premises liability statute, abrogated common law claims and that the statute was plaintiffs’ exclusive means of remedy. Plaintiffs opposed dismissal on several grounds, including their contention that C.R.S. § 13-21-115 was unconstitutional. At a hearing held on July 15, 1988, this court denied ASC’s first motion without prejudice. Certification of the constitutional questions raised by plaintiffs was made to the Colorado Supreme Court on November 1, 1988. The Supreme Court declined to answer the certified questions on December 12, 1988.
The present motion to dismiss was filed January 24, 1989. In it, defendants move for dismissal of the Third, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Claims and portions of the Fourth claim as contained in plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint. Defendants renew their argument that C.R.S. § 13-21-115 is plaintiffs’ exclusive remedy. They conclude that because § 13-21-115 abrogates common law claims against [**4] landowners, that plaintiffs’ Third, Fifth, and Sixth Claims, founded on common law negligence theories, fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Defendants also urge this court to dismiss the Seventh Claim because it is admitted that Michael was not a trespasser, and, according to defendants, the doctrine of attractive nuisance only applies to trespassers. Finally, defendants argue that the Fourth Claim should be dismissed to the extent that, contrary to § 13-21-115, the complaint implies that liability may be imposed against a landowner for failure to exercise reasonable care to protect an invited plaintiff against dangers of which it “should have known.”
ANALYSIS
I) “Conflict” between the Colorado Ski Safety Act and Premises Liability Statute.
It is plaintiffs’ position that the premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13-21-115, does not apply to this case involving a skiing accident because the Colorado Ski Safety Act (“Ski Safety Act”), C.R.S. §§ 33-44-101 to -111, is a specific statute which applies to ski areas and prevails over the general premises liability statute which applies to “any civil action brought against a landowner.” § 13-21-115(2). Plaintiffs contend [**5] that the Ski Safety Act authorizes negligence actions, and to the extent that § 13-21-115 abrogates common law negligence claims there is a conflict. Consequently, plaintiffs conclude that the specific statute prevails and that their negligence claims are viable under the Ski Safety Act.
My analysis begins with [HN1] C.R.S. § 2-4-205, which provides in full:
“If a general provision conflicts with a special or local provision, it shall be construed, if possible, so that effect is given to both. If the conflict between the provisions is irreconcilable, the special or local provision prevails as an exception to the general provision, unless the general provision is the later adoption and the manifest intent is that the general provision prevail.”
It is the court’s duty to construe statutes to avoid inconsistency if it is reasonably possible. Marshall v. City of Golden, 147 Colo. 521, 363 P.2d 650, 652 (1961). In the instant case the two statutes may reasonably be interpreted to avoid conflict. They apply to different activities and conditions.
The Ski Safety Act has an express purpose “to further define the legal responsibilities [*1015] of ski area operators 1 and their agents and employees; to define [**6] the responsibilities of skiers using such ski areas; and to define the rights and liabilities existing between the skier and the ski area operator and between skiers.” C.R.S. § 33-44-102. [HN2] The only responsibilities imposed upon operators by the Ski Safety Act relate to posting signs, §§ 33-44-106, 33-44-107, and providing lighting and other conspicuous markings for snow-grooming vehicles and snowmobiles. C.R.S. § 33-44-108. “A violation by a ski area operator of any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the passenger tramway safety board pursuant to section 25-5-710(a), C.R.S., shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of such operator.” C.R.S. § 33-44-104(2). Thus, the duties imposed upon ski operators by the Ski Safety Act, a breach of which constitutes actionable negligence, concern a very limited number of specifically identified activities and conditions.
1 “‘Ski area operator’ means ‘operator’ as defined in section 25-5-702(3), C.R.S., and any person, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity having operational responsibility for any ski areas, including an agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof.” C.R.S. § 33-44-103(7).
[**7] The Ski Safety Act imposes specific duties upon ski operators as a means of protecting skiers against dangerous conditions that are commonly present at ski areas. See Pizza v. Wolf Creek Ski Development Corp., 711 P.2d 671, 678 (Colo. 1985) (“the legislature has attempted to identify those dangers which can reasonably be eliminated or controlled by the ski area operator.”). In general, it does not protect against dangers arising from conditions or activities which are not ordinarily present at ski areas. 2
2 Conceivably, a conflict could exist between the two statutes, as in a case where a ski operator fails to mark a man-made structure as required by § 33-44-107(7). If the structure was one not ordinarily present at a ski area, a conflict would exist. However, the instant case does not present the court with this situation.
In contrast, [HN3] the premises liability statute imposes liability against all landowners for conditions, or activities conducted on, or circumstances existing on his or her property. C.R.S. § 13-21-115(2). “If the landowner has expressly or impliedly invited the plaintiff onto the real property for the purposes of the landowner, the plaintiff may recover [**8] for damages caused by the landowner’s deliberate failure to exercise reasonable care to protect against dangers which are not ordinarily present on property of the type involved and of which he actually knew.” C.R.S. § 13-21-115(3)(c) (emphasis added). 3 Thus, it is clear that the statutes are directed at two different types of dangerous activities and conditions, ordinary and out of the ordinary.
3 It is the judge’s duty to determine which subsection of § 13-21-115(3) is applicable in each action. § 13-21-115(4). The parties do not dispute that if the premises liability statute does indeed control, that § 13-21-115(3)(c) is the applicable subsection.
In Calvert v. Aspen Skiing Company, 700 F. Supp. 520 (D. Colo. 1988), the court held that the two statutes did conflict and that the specific Ski Safety Act prevailed. Accordingly, the court denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s negligence claims. The conflict, according to the court, was that the premises liability statute abrogates all common law claims for negligence while the Ski Safety Act does not. Id. at 522. However, the two statutes may be interpreted consistently in light of the different scope [**9] of activities and conditions addressed by each.
It would be contrary to the Legislature’s intent to expose ski operators to greater liability than other landowners. To sustain plaintiffs’ claims founded on negligence would have exactly that effect. The Colorado Supreme Court has addressed at least one of the Legislature’s purposes in enacting the Ski Safety Act, stating:
Indisputably, the ski industry is an important part of the Colorado economy. . . . The legislative history indicates that one of the purposes underlying the [presumption provided in § 33-44-109(2) which imposes a presumption that the [*1016] responsibility for collisions by skiers with any person, natural object, or man-made structure marked in accordance with the Act is solely that of the skier and not the ski area operator] is to reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits and, accordingly, the rapidly rising cost of liability insurance accruing to ski area operators.
Pizza, 711 P.2d at 679 (citation omitted). The Legislature intended to protect ski operators from the increasing burden of litigation by passing the Ski Safety Act. There is no reason to believe that it intended to single out ski operators as a subgroup [**10] of landowners who would be held to a higher standard of care.
While the Ski Safety Act does not abrogate common law causes of action for negligence, neither does it expressly or implicitly create a general negligence action for all injuries sustained at ski areas. In the present case plaintiffs have not alleged any facts that would be actionable as a violation of the specific duties imposed upon ski operators by the Ski Safety Act. Their common law negligence claims, therefore, cannot be sustained under the umbrella of the Act. 4
4 Defendants pose a second argument which leads to the same conclusion. The premises liability statute was adopted subsequent to the Ski Safety Act and contains the “manifest intent” to apply to “any civil action.” C.R.S. § 13-21-115(2) (emphasis added). Accordingly, the premises liability statute, which expressly abrogates common law claims, would prevail even if the two statutes did conflict. C.R.S. § 2-4-205.
II) Premises Liability Statute
I must now consider to what extent the premises liability statute applies to plaintiffs’ claims. The language of the statute appears to embrace a broad range of conditions and activities that exist or are [**11] conducted on a landowner’s property. C.R.S. § 13-21-115(2). However, the court in Geringer v. Wildhorn Ranch, Inc., 706 F. Supp. 1442 (D. Colo. 1988), noted that [HN4] “the statutory classification ‘activities conducted or circumstances existing on such property’ must be read narrowly with careful regard for the intent of the legislature to re-establish common law distinctions in the law of premises liability.” Id. at 1446.
In Geringer, the plaintiff brought a wrongful death action for the death of her husband and son in a drowning accident which occurred at the defendant’s guest ranch. The two drowned during a boating accident involving a peddleboat supplied by the defendant corporation. The court struck plaintiff’s claims founded on the premises liability statute. Following a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff, the defendants made motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, for new trial, and for amended judgment. Defendants contended that they were prejudiced by the trial court’s failure to instruct the jury in accordance with the premises liability statute which provides a more difficult standard for plaintiffs to overcome. Defendants argued that the [**12] premises liability statute was plaintiff’s exclusive remedy. The court disagreed:
Traditionally, the activities for which a defendant is liable as a landowner are inherently related to the land — construction, landscaping or other activities treating the land. . . .
The causation evidence in this case focused on defendants’ maintenance of the peddleboats and on defendants’ knowledge of their condition following purported repairs. The duty litigated in this case was that of a supplier of chattel to provide its user with chattel that was not defective. . . . The statute does not reflect an intention to extend the application of premises liability doctrine to the negligent supply of chattel by a landowner.
Id. at 1446. The distinction between activities “inherently related to the land” and other activities which do not fall within the scope of the premises liability statute logically follows from the court’s conclusion that “the statute does not establish a feudal realm of absolute protection from liability for simple negligence based only on a defendant’s status as a landowner.” [*1017] Id. at 1446. 5
5 To hold otherwise would shield all types of negligent activities from the negligence standard, such as in a case where a doctor negligently treats a patient at his privately owned clinic. This result could not have been intended by the Legislature.
[**13] In the present case plaintiff’s Fifth and Sixth Claims are based upon the alleged negligent supervision of Michael during the course of his skiing instruction. Instructing people in the sport of skiing is not inherently related to the land. Therefore, plaintiffs’ Fifth and Sixth Claims should not be dismissed.
On the other hand, plaintiffs’ Third Claim is founded on defendant’s negligent maintenance of conditions at the ski area. Conditions of property clearly fall within the scope of the premises liability statute. C.R.S. § 13-21-115(2). Therefore, the Third Claim must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
III) Constitutionality of the Premises Liability Statute
Plaintiffs contest the constitutionality of C.R.S. § 13-21-115 on several grounds. [HN5] Statutes are presumed constitutional and the plaintiff, as the party attacking the statute, must prove the statute unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt. Bedford Motors, Inc. v. Harris, 714 P.2d 489, 491 (Colo. 1986).
Plaintiffs argue that the phrase “deliberate failure to exercise reasonable care,” as provided in C.R.S. § 13-21-115(3)(c), is unconstitutionally vague. It is plaintiffs’ position [**14] that the terms “deliberate” and “reasonable care” are contradictory. I disagree.
The premises liability statute is basically an economic regulation, designed to limit the liability of landowners. Therefore, the vagueness standard which must be applied in this case is less exacting than in a case involving a penal statute or laws regulating first amendment rights. Pizza, 711 P.2d at 676.
“Deliberate” is a common word used frequently in every-day experience and readily understood. [HN6] “The probable legislative intent in using such a word may be determined by resorting to a standard dictionary.” Pizza, at 676. Webster’s New World Dictionary (2nd ed. 1972) defines “deliberate” as “carefully thought out and formed, or done on purpose; premeditated; careful in considering, judging, or deciding; not rash or hasty.” [HN7] “Reasonable care” is obviously a common tort standard associated with negligence which requires a degree of care which an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under the same or similar circumstances. See Safeway Stores, Inc. v. Langdon, 187 Colo. 425, 532 P.2d 337, 339 (1975). Thus, in order to incur liability under § 13-21-115(3)(c), a landowner must purposely fail to act [**15] as an ordinarily prudent person would in a like situation.
Plaintiffs also argue that the statute denies them a right to a remedy for injury as guaranteed by [HN8] Article II, Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution. Article II, Section 6 provides:
Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property or character; and right and justice should be administered without sale, denial or delay.
As noted in Goldberg v. Musim, 162 Colo. 461, 427 P.2d 698, 702 (1967), this provision is a mandate to the judiciary, not the legislature. “The power of the legislature to abolish substantive common law rights including those vouch-safed by the common law of England, in order to attain a permissible legislative object, has already been decided by this court. . . .” Id. at 470. Thus, the Legislature’s enactment of § 13-21-115 does not violate the Colorado Constitution.
Next plaintiffs argue that the statute violates [HN9] Article V, Section 25 of the Colorado Constitution which prohibits the general assembly from passing special laws for the benefit of any corporation, association or individuals. The constitutional inhibition against class legislation [**16] arises “when the effect of the law is to prohibit a carrying on of a legitimate business [*1018] or occupation while allowing other businesses or occupations not reasonably to be distinguished from those prohibited to be carried on freely.” Dunbar v. Hoffman, 171 Colo. 481, 468 P.2d 742, 745 (1970). However, a statute is not special when “it is general and uniform in its operation upon all in like situation.” McCarty v. Goldstein, 151 Colo. 154, 376 P.2d 691, 693 (1962). The premises liability statute applies uniformly to all landowners to limit liability for injuries resulting from conditions and activities which are inherently related to ownership of property. It is, therefore, not a special law.
Plaintiffs’ equal protection challenge also fails. [HN10] The statutory classification need only be reasonably related to a legitimate state objective in order to pass constitutional muster because no fundamental right or suspect class is involved. Yarbro v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 655 P.2d 822, 827 (Colo. 1982). In this case the Legislature could have reasonably enacted the premises liability statute as a means of reducing liability of landowners for certain injuries occurring on their property. The Colorado [**17] Supreme Court has recognized that the Legislature has a legitimate interest in protecting the state economy. Pizza, 711 P.2d at 679. Providing limited protection to landowners is reasonably related to that end.
IV) Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim
Defendants argue that plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim should be dismissed to the extent that it alleges that defendant ASC is liable for failure to exercise reasonable care to protect Michael against dangers of which it “should have known.” 6 Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim is based on § 13-21-115(3)(c), which, by its express terms, requires actual knowledge. Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim is dismissed to the extent that it seeks to impose liability for dangers of which ASC should have known.
6 Plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim alleges that ASC is liable because it “deliberately failed to exercise reasonable care to protect persons such as the minor Plaintiff, Michael Giebink, against dangers which were not ordinarily present on the aforesaid property despite the fact that Defendant actually knew or should have known of said dangers.”
V) Attractive Nuisance
Finally, defendants move to dismiss plaintiffs’ Seventh Claim which is founded upon the doctrine of attractive [**18] nuisance, 7 arguing that it only applies to situations involving trespassers, and that according to plaintiffs’ allegations Michael was not a trespasser. 8 In an attempt to strike a reasonable compromise between the conflicting interests between the freedom of land use and the protection of children, courts have recognized the attractive nuisance doctrine. [HN11] The doctrine imposes a higher standard of care on landowners toward children than would otherwise be owed to a trespasser. 9
7 In their Seventh Claim, plaintiffs accuse defendant ASC of maintaining an unreasonably dangerous and hazardous condition in the form of a roll jump. The roll jump is made entirely of earth. Skiers use it to perform aerial maneuvers.
8 The Colorado Legislature clearly provided that attractive nuisance, as it applies to persons under fourteen years of age, is not abrogated by the premises liability statute. C.R.S. § 13-21-115(2).
9 Prior to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision in Mile High Fence Co. v. Radovich, 175 Colo. 537, 489 P.2d 308 (1971), landowners generally owed no duty to make or keep property safe for trespassers. See Staley v. Security Athletic Association, 152 Colo. 19, 380 P.2d 53, 54 (1963).
[**19] The purpose of the doctrine is to protect children from hazards which tend to attract them onto property. By allowing the doctrine to survive the enactment of the premises liability statute, the Legislature evidenced an intent to give children under the age of fourteen protection beyond that which is now available to other persons. This protection logically should extend to children, regardless of their status as a trespasser, licensee, or invitee. See W. Prosser & W. Keeton, Prosser and Keeton on Torts, § 59 at 402 (5th ed. 1984) (“In any case where the child could recover if he were a trespasser, he can recover at least as well when he is a licensee or an invitee [*1019] on the premises.”); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 343B (1977) (“In any case where a possessor of land would be subject to liability to a child for physical harm caused by a condition on the land if the child were a trespasser, the possessor is subject to liability if the child is a licensee or an invitee.”); State v. Juengel, 15 Ariz. App. 495, 489 P.2d 869, 873 (1971). See also CJI-Civ. 2d 12:6A (Supp. 1988).
However, plaintiffs’ Seventh Claim fails for several other reasons. Plaintiffs’ counsel made [**20] it clear at the March 17, 1989 hearing that it was not Michael that was lured to the accident scene by the roll jump; it was Kevin Fischer, the other youth allegedly involved in the collision, who was drawn to the location by the roll jump. The doctrine of attractive nuisance simply does not apply under these facts.
A second, related argument, also leads me to the conclusion that the doctrine should not be applied in this case. [HN12] The doctrine requires that the object be unnatural and unusual. This limitation protects landowners from liability for conditions which are present on their property of which children should reasonably recognize the associated dangers. See Esquibel v. City and County of Denver, 112 Colo. 546, 151 P.2d 757, 759 (1944) (attractive nuisance doctrine did not apply where child was injured while climbing on automobile bodies piled in an unstable heap). The Esquibel court cited the Restatement of Torts § 339 Comment on Clause (c):
A possessor of land is . . . under a duty to keep so much of his land as he knows to be subject to the trespasses of young children, free from artificial conditions which involve an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm to [**21] them. This does not require him to keep his land free from conditions which even young children are likely to observe and the full extent of the risk involved in which they are likely to realize. The purpose of the duty is to protect children from dangers which they are unlikely to appreciate and not to protect them against harm resulting from their own immature recklessness in the case of known danger. Therefore, even though the condition is one which the possessor should realize to be such that young children are unlikely to realize the full extent of the danger of meddling with it or encountering it, the possessor is not subject to liability to a child who in fact discovers the condition and appreciates the full risk involved therein but none the less chooses to encounter it out of recklessness or bravado.
Other conditions which have been held to be common and obvious include an artificial pond, Phipps v. Mitze, 116 Colo. 288, 180 P.2d 233 (1947), an icy slope used for sledding, Ostroski v. Mount Prospect Shop-Rite, Inc., 94 N.J. Super. 374, 228 A.2d 545 (1967), a sand pile, Knight v. Kaiser Co., 48 Cal. 2d 778, 312 P.2d 1089 (1957), and a steep bluff, Zagar v. Union Pacific R. Co., [**22] 113 Kan. 240, 214 P. 107 (1923).
Defendants in this case had a right to expect youngsters who were actively participating in the sport of skiing to understand the dangers of conditions such as the roll jump. The dangers associated with the roll jump are apparent, not latent. It is not an “unusual condition.” Therefore, the doctrine of attractive nuisance is not available to the plaintiffs.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that plaintiffs’ Third and Seventh Claims be, and the same hereby are, DISMISSED with prejudice.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that plaintiffs’ Fourth Claim, to the extent that it seeks to impose liability for dangers of which ASC ‘should have known,’ be, and the same hereby is, DISMISSED with prejudice.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendants’ motion to dismiss to the extent that it requests dismissal of plaintiffs’ Fifth and Sixth Claims be, and the same hereby is, DENIED.
DATED at Denver, Colorado this 22nd day of March, 1989.
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State Ski Safe Acts
Posted: November 6, 2013 Filed under: Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: ski area, Ski Law, Ski Safety Act, skiing, snowboarding, statute, Winter Sports Act Leave a comment30 States have created statutes that affect regulate skiing. Two states have recreational statutes that apply to skiing.
Those state statutes are listed below along with significant portions of the act.
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State |
Statute |
Ski Area Defined |
Lists Inherent Risks of Skiing |
Misc. |
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AK |
Alaska Ski Safety Act of 1994, Alaska Stat. §§ 05.45.010 et seq. |
“ski area” means all downhill ski slopes or trails and other places under the control of a downhill ski area operator; “ski area” does not include a cross-country ski trail; |
changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, including ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions including bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streams, streambeds, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, other man-made structures, and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collision with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities |
Sec. 05.45.120. Use of liability releases Releases are void A ski area operator shall prepare a plan of operation for each ski season and shall implement the plan throughout the ski season. A plan of operation must include written provisions for ski patrol, avalanche control, avalanche rescue, grooming procedures, tramway evacuation, hazard marking, missing person procedures, and first aid. |
|
AZ |
“Ski area” means all ski slopes and trails or other places within the boundary of a ski area operator’s property, administered as a single enterprise in this state. |
(a) Changing weather conditions. (b) Existing and changing snow surface conditions, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up and machine-made snow. (c) Surface or subsurface conditions, whether marked or unmarked, such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, trees or other natural objects. (d) Impacts with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or other enclosures, hydrants, water pipes or other man-made structures and their components, whether marked or unmarked. (e) Variations in steepness or terrain, including roads, catwalks and other terrain modifications, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations. (f) Collisions with other skiers. (g) The failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. |
§ 5-706. Release of liability In any action brought by a skier against a ski area operator, if the ski area operator proves that the skier signed a valid release, the ski area operator’s liability shall be determined by the terms of the release. |
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CO |
“Ski area” means all ski slopes or trails and all other places within the ski area boundary, marked in accordance with section 33-44-107 (6), under the control of a ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within this state. |
“Inherent dangers and risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, extreme terrain, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with such natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other man-made structures and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, jumps, and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. |
Notwithstanding any provision of law or statute to the contrary, the risk of a skier/skier collision is neither an inherent risk nor a risk assumed by a skier in an action by one skier against another. |
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|
CT |
“Ski area operator” means a person who owns or controls the operation of a ski area and such person’s agents and employees. |
(1) Variations in the terrain of the trail or slope which is marked in accordance with subdivision (3) of section 29-211 or variations in surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions, except that no skier assumes the risk of variations which are caused by the ski area operator unless such variations are caused by snow making, snow grooming or rescue operations; (2) bare spots which do not require the closing of the trail or slope; (3) conspicuously placed or, if not so placed, conspicuously marked lift towers; (4) trees or other objects not within the confines of the trail or slope; (5) loading, unloading or otherwise using a passenger tramway without prior knowledge of proper loading and unloading procedures or without reading instructions concerning loading and unloading posted at the base of such passenger tramway or without asking for such instructions; and (6) collisions with any other person by any skier while skiing, except that collisions with on-duty employees of the ski area operator who are skiing and are within the scope of their employment at the time of the collision shall not be a hazard inherent in the sport of skiing. |
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|
GA |
(7) “Ski area” means all snow ski slopes or trails and other places under the control of a ski area operator at a defined business location within this state. (8) “Ski area operator” means an individual, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity who owns, manages, or otherwise directs or has operational responsibility for any ski area. (9) “Ski slopes or trails” means those areas open to the skiing public and designated by the ski area operator to be used by a skier. The designation may be generally set forth on trail maps and further designated by signage posted to indicate to the skiing public the intent that the areas be used by the skier for the purpose of skiing. Nothing in this paragraph implies that ski slopes or trails may not be restricted for use at the discretion of the ski area operator. |
(A) Changing weather conditions; (B) Surface and subsurface snow or ice conditions as they may exist or change from time to time, including variable conditions such as hard packed powder, packed powder, wind-blown snow, wind-packed snow, corn snow, crust slush, snow modified by skier use, or cut up snow; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions as they exist or may change as the result of weather changes or skier use; snow created by or resulting from snow making or snow grooming operations; or collisions or falls resulting from such conditions; (C) Surface or subsurface conditions other than those specified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, including dirt, grass, rocks, trees, stumps, other forms of forest or vegetative growth, stream beds, or other natural objects or debris; or collisions or falls resulting from such conditions; (D) Collisions with: lift towers; components of lift towers; signs, posts, fences, mazes, or other enclosure devices; hydrants, pipes, or any other portions of snow making or snow delivery systems; snow grooming equipment or other over-snow vehicles marked or lighted as required by this chapter; or collisions with or falls resulting from any such structures or any other manmade structures or their components; (E) Variations in surface, contour, or steepness of terrain, including, but not limited to, moguls, ski jumps, roads, depressions, water bars, and cat walks; other terrain changes or modifications which occur naturally or result from slope design or construction, snow making, snow grooming, maintenance operations, or skier use; or collisions with or falls resulting from such variations; and (F) Collisions with other skiers unless such collisions are caused by the failure on the part of other skiers to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. |
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ID |
(3) “Ski area” means the property owned or leased and under the control of the ski area operator within the state of Idaho. (4) “Ski area operator” means any person, partnership, corporation or other commercial entity and their agents, officers, employees or representatives, who has operational responsibility for any ski area or aerial passenger tramway. (5) “Skiing area” means all designated slopes and trails but excludes any aerial passenger tramway. |
variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots, rocks, trees, other forms of forest growth or debris, lift towers and components thereof; utility poles, and snowmaking and snowgrooming equipment which is plainly visible or plainly marked in accordance with the provisions of section 6-1103, Idaho Code. |
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ME |
§ 15202. Definitions 15. SKI AREA. “Ski area” means the ski slopes and trails, adjoining skiable terrain, areas designated by the ski area operator to be used for skiing as defined by section 15217, subsection 1, paragraph B and passenger tramways administered or operated as a single enterprise within this State. |
§ 15217. (1)(A)…existing and changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions, such as ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, slush and granular, corn, crust, cut-up and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions, such as dirt, grass, bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, trees and other natural objects and collisions with or falls resulting from such natural objects; lift towers, lights, signs, posts, fences, mazes or enclosures, hydrants, water or air pipes, snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment, marked or lit trail maintenance vehicles and snowmobiles, and other man-made structures or objects and their components, and collisions with or falls resulting from such man-made objects; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design; snowmaking or snow-grooming operations, including, but not limited to, freestyle terrain, jumps, roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications; the presence of and collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski safely, in control or within their own abilities. |
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MA |
“Ski area”, all of the slopes and trails under the control of the ski area operator, including cross-country ski areas, slopes and trails, and any recreational tramway in operation on any such slopes or trails administered or operated as a single enterprise but shall not include base lodges, motor vehicle parking lots and other portions of ski areas used by skiers when not actually engaged in the sport of skiing. |
…know of the existence of certain unavoidable risks inherent in the sport of skiing, which shall include, but not be limited to, variations in terrain, surface or subsurface snow, ice conditions or bare spots |
No action shall be maintained against a ski area operator for injury to a skier unless as a condition precedent thereof the person so injured shall, within ninety days of the incident, give to such ski area operator notice, by registered mail, of the name and address of the person injured, the time, place and cause of the injury. |
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MI |
Ski Area Safety Act of 1962, Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §§ 408.321 to 408.344 |
“Ski area” means an area used for skiing and served by 1 or more ski lifts. |
…terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots; rocks, trees, and other forms of natural growth or debris; collisions with ski lift towers and their components, with other skiers, or with properly marked or plainly visible snow-making or snow-grooming equipment. |
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MT |
“Ski slopes and trails” means those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for skiing. |
(2) “Inherent dangers and risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including: (a) changing weather conditions; (b) snow conditions as they exist or as they may change, including ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn snow, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; (c) avalanches, except on open, designated ski trails; (d) collisions with natural surface or subsurface conditions, such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, trees, and other natural objects; (e) collisions with lift towers, signs, posts, fences, enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other artificial structures and their components; (f) variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or the result of slope design, snowmaking, or snow grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, ski jumps, catwalks, and other terrain modifications; (g) collisions with clearly visible or plainly marked equipment, including but not limited to lift equipment, snowmaking equipment, snow grooming equipment, trail maintenance equipment, and snowmobiles, whether or not the equipment is moving; (h) collisions with other skiers; (i) the failure of a skier to ski within that skier’s ability; (j) skiing in a closed area or skiing outside the ski area boundary as designated on the ski area trail map; and (k) restricted visibility caused by snow, wind, fog, sun, or darkness. |
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NC |
All winter sports slopes, alpine and Nordic ski trails, freestyle terrain and passenger tramways, that are administered or operated as a ski area enterprise within this State. |
variations in terrain, snow, or ice conditions, bare spots and rocks, trees and other forms of forest growth or forest debris; |
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ND |
Skiing Responsibility Act N.D. Cent. Code §§ 53-09-01 to 53-09-10 |
3. “Ski area” means property owned or leased and under the control of the ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within the state of North Dakota. |
Each skier expressly assumes the risk of and legal responsibility for any injury to person or property which results from participation in the sport of skiing including any injury caused by the following: variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots, rocks, trees, or other forms of forest growth or debris, lift towers and components thereof; pole lines; and snowmaking equipment which are plainly visible or are plainly marked in accordance with the provisions of section 53-09-03. |
53-09-10. Effect of modified comparative fault. Notwithstanding section 32-03.2-02, any person is, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, barred from recovery for loss or damage resulting from a risk inherent in the sport of skiing and like-wise is so barred when it is established that a person has knowingly exposed oneself to the real or po-tential hazards of a situation. |
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NH |
“Ski areas” means all passenger tramways and all designated alpine and nordic trails, slopes, freestyle terrain, tubing terrain, and nordic ski jumps under the control of the alpine and nordic ski area operator and any other areas under the operator’s control open to the public for winter sports recreation or competition. |
variations in terrain, surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots; rocks, trees, stumps and other forms of forest growth or debris; terrain, lift towers, and components thereof (all of the foregoing whether above or below snow surface); pole lines and plainly marked or visible snow making equipment; collisions with other skiers or other persons or with any of the categories included in this paragraph. |
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NJ |
“Ski area” includes all of the real and personal property, under the control of the operator or on the premises of the operator which are being occupied, by license, lease, fee simple or otherwise, including but not limited to all passenger tramways, designated trails, slopes and other areas utilized for skiing, operating toboggans, sleds, or similar vehicles during the skiing season. |
A skier is deemed to have knowledge of and to assume the inherent risks of skiing, operating toboggans, sleds or similar vehicles created by weather conditions, conditions of snow, trails, slopes, other skiers, and all other inherent conditions. |
As a precondition to bringing any suit in connection with a skiing injury against an operator, a skier shall report in writing to the ski area operator all the details of any accident as soon as possible, but in no event longer than 90 days from the time of the incident giving rise to the suit. |
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NM |
“ski area” means the property owned, permitted, leased or under the control of the ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within the state; |
variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots; rocks, trees or other forms of forest growth or debris; lift towers and components thereof, pole lines and snow-making equipment which are plainly visible or are plainly marked in accordance with the provisions of Section 24-15-7 |
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NV |
Ski Safety Act, Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 455A.060 to 455A.190 |
“Snow recreation area” means the slopes, trails, runs and other areas under the control of an operator that are intended to be used for skiing, snowboarding or for the observation of the sports. |
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28-2-702 Contracts that violate policy of law — exemption from responsibility. |
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NY |
4. “Ski area” means all ski slopes, ski trails and passenger tramways administered as a single enterprise within this state. |
(1) that downhill skiing, like many other sports, contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, the risks of personal injury or death or property damage, which may be caused by variations in terrain or weather conditions; surface or subsurface snow, ice, bare spots or areas of thin cover, moguls, ruts, bumps; other persons using the facilities; and rocks, forest growth, debris, branches, trees, roots, stumps or other natural objects or man-made objects that are incidental to the provision or maintenance of a ski facility in New York state; |
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OH |
(D) “Ski area” means all the ski slopes, ski trails, and passenger tramways that are administered or operated as a single enterprise within this state. |
(A) (1) The general assembly recognizes that skiing as a recreational sport is hazardous to skiers regardless of all feasible safety measures that can be taken. It further recognizes that a skier expressly assumes the risk of and legal responsibility for injury, death, or loss to person or property that results from the inherent risks of skiing, which include, but are not limited to, injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by changing weather conditions; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; bare spots, rocks, trees, stumps, and other forms of forest growth or debris; lift towers or other forms of towers and their components, either above or below the snow surface; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as the result of snowmaking, slope design, freestyle terrain, jumps, catwalks, or other terrain modifi-cations; any other objects and structures, including, but not limited to, passenger tramways and related structures and equipment, competition equipment, utility poles, fences, posts, ski equipment, slalom poles, ropes, out-of-bounds barriers and their supports, signs, ski racks, walls, buildings, and sheds; and plainly marked or otherwise visible snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment, snowmobiles, snow cats, and over-snow vehicles. |
(5) If the skier is utilizing a tubing park, to assume the risk of collision with others on the course. |
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OR |
(4) “Ski area” means any area designated and maintained by a ski area operator for skiing. |
“Inherent risks of skiing” includes, but is not limited to, those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport, such as changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, lift towers and other structures and their components, collisions with other skiers and a skier’s failure to ski within the skier’s own ability. |
(1) A ski area operator shall be notified of any injury to a skier by registered or certified mail within 180 days after the injury or within 180 days after the skier discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, such injury. |
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PA |
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RI |
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TN |
Ski Area Safety & Liability Act, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 68-114-101 et seq. |
(4) “Ski area” means all the ski slopes and ski trails and passenger tramways administered or op-erated as a single enterprise within this state; |
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, each skier or passenger is deemed to have assumed the risk of and legal responsibility for any injury to the skier’s or passenger’s person or property arising out of the skier’s or passenger’s participation in Alpine or downhill skiing or the use of any passenger tramways associated with Alpine or downhill skiing. |
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UT |
Utah Inherent Risks of Skiing Act, Utah Code Ann. §§ 78-27-51 to 78-27-54 |
(4) “Ski area” means any area designated by a ski area operator to be used for skiing, nordic, free-style, or other type of ski jumping, and snowboarding. |
…certain risks are inherent in that sport, and to provide that, as a matter of public policy, no person engaged in that sport shall recover from a ski operator for injuries resulting from those inherent risks. (1) “Inherent risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport of recreational, competitive, or professional skiing, including, but not limited to: (a) changing weather conditions; (b) snow or ice conditions as they exist or may change, such as hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, or machine-made snow; (c) surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, trees, and other natural objects; (d) variations or steepness in terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, and other terrain modifications such as terrain parks, and terrain features such as jumps, rails, fun boxes, and all other constructed and natural features such as half pipes, quarter pipes, or freestyle-bump terrain; (e) impact with lift towers and other structures and their components such as signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, or water pipes; (f) collisions with other skiers; (g) participation in, or practicing or training for, competitions or special events; and (h) the failure of a skier to ski within the skier’s own ability. |
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VA |
Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-227.11 (2013) |
“Winter sports area” means all the real and personal property under control of the operator or on the premises of such property that is being occupied by the operator by fee simple, lease, license, easement, permission, or otherwise, including but not limited to any and all trails, freestyle terrain, competition terrain, passenger tramways, or other areas of real property. “Winter sports area” does not include a tubing park except for any passenger tramway serving a tubing park and the immediate vicinity of such a passenger tramway in which individuals embark upon or disembark from the passenger tramway. |
1. Existing and changing weather conditions and visibility; 2. Hazards associated with varying surface or subsurface conditions on a single trail or from one trail to another, including but not limited to hazards such as participant use, snow in any condition and changing snow conditions, man-made snow, synthetic snow, ice, synthetic ice, snow or ice falling from a tree or natural or man-made structure, crust, slush, soft spots, ridges, rollers, knobs, holes, grooves, tracks from winter sports area vehicles, bare spots, rocks, boulders, stumps, logs, and brush or other forest growth or debris, or piles thereof; 3. Variations in difficulty of terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope use, slope design, or both; 4. Trails that have, or fall away or drop off toward, natural or man-made obstacles or hazards, including but not limited to sharp corners, ridges, jumps, bumps, rollers, moguls, valleys, dips, compressions, cliffs, ravines, drop-offs, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, stream beds, open water or water with thin ice, holes, steep, flat, and uphill sections, and all variants and combinations thereof; 5. The potential for collision with other participants or other individuals, including with winter sports area personnel, whether or not those personnel are on duty or off duty; with wild or domestic animals; or with equipment or objects such as winter sports area infrastructure, snowmaking equipment, buildings and posts, and stationary and moving lit or flagged winter sports area vehicles; 6. The potential for a participant to act in a negligent or reckless manner that may cause or contribute to the injury or death of the participant or other individuals or damage to property; 7. The location, construction, design, layout, configuration, and condition of trails, freestyle terrain, and competition terrain; 8. The fact that use of trails, freestyle terrain, and competition terrain and participation in or being near races or other competitions or events, including but not limited to as a participant, employee at a winter sports area, spectator, or observer, involves the risk of serious injury or death or damage to property; 9. The fact that a helmet may not afford protection in all instances and that failure to wear a helmet that is properly sized, fitted, and secured may increase the risk of injury or death or the risk of more severe injury; and 10. The fact that the use of passenger tramways may be hazardous to passengers, including but not limited to risks resulting from loading or unloading a tramway and the potential for a passenger to fall from a tramway. |
Each operator, upon request, shall provide to a participant a trail map of all trails located in the operator’s winter sports area. The maps shall be available at each ticket sales office and at other locations at the winter sports area such that the maps are easily accessible to participants. All trail maps shall indicate the skill-level designation for each trail at the winter sports area as designated in subsection C of § 8.01-227.12. Each winter sports participant, or the parent or legal guardian of, or adult acting in a supervisory position over, a participant under the age of 18, shall be responsible for determining whether the participant will wear a helmet and whether the helmet is sufficiently protective and properly sized, fitted, and secured. Nothing herein shall prevent a participant or passenger from offering evidence that he did not know the particular inherent risk of winter sports that proximately caused the injury or death or damage to property at issue, did not fully appreciate the nature and extent of such risk, or did not voluntarily expose himself to such risk. |
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Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1036 of this title, a person who takes part in any sport accepts as a matter of law the dangers that inhere therein insofar as they are obvious and necessary. |
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WA |
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WV |
Skiing Responsibility Act, W. Va. Code Ann. §§ 20-3A-1 to 20-3A-8 |
“Ski area” means any property owned or leased and under the control of the ski area operator or operators within West Virginia. |
Variations in terrain including freestyle terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots, rocks, trees, other forms of forest growth or debris; collisions with pole lines, lift towers or any component thereof; or, collisions with snowmaking equipment which is marked by a visible sign or other warning implement in compliance with section three [§ 20-3A-3] of this article. |
When no certified ambulance service is available in the vicinity, have on duty at or near the skiing area, during all times that skiing areas are open for skiing, at least one trained and currently certified emergency medical technician. |
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WY |
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Recreational Statutes that Include Skiing
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State |
Statute |
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WI |
Wis. Stat. Ann. § 895.525 |
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WY |
Recreation Safety Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-1-121 to 1-1-123 |
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Always contact local legal counsel to determine the latest version of any state statute affecting your business.
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Montana Ski Statues
Posted: October 19, 2013 Filed under: Montana, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Montana, MT Montana ski Statute, Ski Safety Act, skiing, snowboarding Leave a commentTITLE 23 PARKS, RECREATION, SPORTS, AND GAMBLING
CHAPTER 2 RECREATION
PART 7 PASSENGER ROPEWAYS — SKI AREAS
Mont. Code Anno., § 23-2-701 (2012)
23-2-701 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-702 Definitions.
As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Freestyle terrain” means terrain parks and terrain features, including but not limited to jumps, rails, fun boxes, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and freestyle bump terrain, and any other constructed features.
(2) “Inherent dangers and risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including:
(a) changing weather conditions;
(b) snow conditions as they exist or as they may change, including ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn snow, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow;
(c) avalanches, except on open, designated ski trails;
(d) collisions with natural surface or subsurface conditions, such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, trees, and other natural objects;
(e) collisions with lift towers, signs, posts, fences, enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other artificial structures and their components;
(f) variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or the result of slope design, snowmaking, or snow grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, ski jumps, catwalks, and other terrain modifications;
(g) collisions with clearly visible or plainly marked equipment, including but not limited to lift equipment, snowmaking equipment, snow grooming equipment, trail maintenance equipment, and snowmobiles, whether or not the equipment is moving;
(h) collisions with other skiers;
(i) the failure of a skier to ski within that skier’s ability;
(j) skiing in a closed area or skiing outside the ski area boundary as designated on the ski area trail map; and
(k) restricted visibility caused by snow, wind, fog, sun, or darkness.
(3) “Passenger” means any person who is being transported or conveyed by a passenger ropeway.
(4) “Passenger ropeway” means a device used to transport passengers by means of an aerial tramway or lift, surface lift, surface conveyor, or surface tow.
(5) “Ski area operator” or “operator” means a person, firm, or corporation and its agents and employees having operational and administrative responsibility for ski slopes and trails and improvements.
(6) “Ski slopes and trails” means those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for skiing.
(7) “Skier” means a person who is using any ski area facility for the purpose of skiing, including but not limited to ski slopes and trails.
(8) “Skiing” means any activity, including an organized event, that involves sliding or jumping on snow or ice while using skis, a snowboard, or any other sliding device.
23-2-703 Ropeways not common carriers or public utilities.
Passenger ropeways may not be construed to be common carriers or public utilities for the purposes of regulation within the meaning of the laws of the state of Montana.
23-2-704 Unlawful to endanger life or cause damage.
(1) It is unlawful for a passenger riding or using a passenger ropeway to endanger the life and safety of other persons or cause damage to passenger ropeway equipment.
(2) A person who purposely or knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
23-2-705 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-706 through 23-2-710 reserved.
23-2-711 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-712 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-713 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-714 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-715 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-716 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-717 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-718 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-719 and 23-2-720 reserved.
23-2-721 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-722 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-723 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-724 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-725 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-726 through 23-2-730 reserved.
23-2-731 Purpose.
The legislature finds that skiing is a major recreational sport and a major industry in the state and recognizes that among the attractions of the sport are the inherent dangers and risks of skiing. The state has a legitimate interest in maintaining the economic viability of the ski industry by discouraging claims based on damages resulting from the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, defining the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, and establishing the duties of skiers and ski area operators.
23-2-732 Repealed.
Sec. 4, Ch. 346, L. 1997.
23-2-733 Duties of operator regarding ski areas.
(1) Consistent with the duty of reasonable care owed by a ski area operator to a skier, a ski area operator shall:
(a) mark all trail grooming vehicles by furnishing the vehicles with flashing or rotating lights that must be in operation whenever the vehicles are working or are in movement in the ski area;
(b) mark with a visible sign or other warning implement the location of any hydrant or similar equipment used in snowmaking operations and located on ski slopes and trails;
(c) maintain one or more trail boards at prominent locations at each ski area displaying a map of that area’s network of ski slopes and trails, the boundaries of the ski area, and the relative degree of difficulty of the ski slopes and trails at that area;
(d) post a notice requiring the use of ski-retention devices;
(e) designate at the start of each day, by trail board or otherwise, which ski slopes and trails are open or closed and amend those designations as openings and closures occur during the day;
(f) post in a conspicuous location the current skier responsibility code that is published by the national ski areas association;
(g) post a copy of 23-2-736 in a conspicuous location; and
(h) mark designated freestyle terrain with a symbol recognized by the national ski areas association.
(2) Nothing in this part may be construed to impose any duty owed by a ski area operator to a trespasser or an unauthorized user of a ski area.
23-2-734 Duties of operator with respect to passenger ropeways.
A ski area operator shall construct, operate, maintain, and repair any passenger ropeway. An operator has the duty of taking responsible actions to properly construct, operate, maintain, and repair a passenger ropeway in accordance with current standards.
23-2-735 Duties of passenger.
A passenger may not:
(1) board or disembark from a passenger ropeway except at an area designated for those purposes;
(2) throw or expel any object from a passenger ropeway;
(3) interfere with the running or operation of a passenger ropeway;
(4) use a passenger ropeway unless the passenger has the ability to use it safely without any instruction on its use by the operator or requests and receives instruction before boarding;
(5) embark on a passenger ropeway without the authority of the operator.
23-2-736 Duties of skier.
(1) A skier has the duty to ski at all times in a manner that avoids injury to the skier and others and to be aware of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
(2) A skier:
(a) shall know the range of the skier’s ability and safely ski within the limits of that ability and the skier’s equipment so as to negotiate any section of terrain or ski slope and trail safely and without injury or damage. A skier shall know that the skier’s ability may vary because of ski slope and trail changes caused by weather, grooming changes, or skier use.
(b) shall maintain control of speed and course so as to prevent injury to the skier or others;
(c) shall abide by the requirements of the skier responsibility code that is published by the national ski areas association and that is posted as provided in 23-2-733;
(d) shall obey all posted or other warnings and instructions of the ski area operator; and
(e) shall read the ski area trail map and must be aware of its contents.
(3) A person may not:
(a) place an object in the ski area or on the uphill track of a passenger ropeway that may cause a passenger or skier to fall;
(b) cross the track of a passenger ropeway except at a designated and approved point; or
(c) if involved in a skiing accident, depart from the scene of the accident without:
(i) leaving personal identification; or
(ii) notifying the proper authorities and obtaining assistance when the person knows that a person involved in the accident is in need of medical or other assistance.
(4) A skier shall accept all legal responsibility for injury or damage of any kind to the extent that the injury or damage results from inherent dangers and risks of skiing. Nothing in this part may be construed to limit a skier’s right to hold another skier legally accountable for damages caused by the other skier.
23-2-737 Repealed.
Sec. 5, Ch. 429, L. 1989.
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By Recreation Law Rec-law@recreation-law.com James H. Moss #Authorrank
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New Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: New Hampshire, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding, State | Tags: New Hampshire, New Hampshire Ski Area Safety Act, ski area, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Skier, Snowboarder 2 CommentsNew Hampshire Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety Act
NEW HAMPSHIRE REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE XIX Public Recreation
CHAPTER 225-A Skiers, Ski Area and Passenger Tramway Safety
Go To New Hampshire Statutes Archive Directory
225-A:1 Declaration of Policy. 3
225-A:1-a Administratively Attached. 5
225-A:3 Passenger Tramway Safety Board. 8
225-A:3-a Passenger Tramway Safety Board. 8
225-A:9 Declaratory Judgment. 12
225-A:9-a Declaratory Judgment. 12
225-A:10-a Review of Plans and Specifications. 13
225-A:11 Operator to Pay Certain Costs. 13
225-A:12 Inspection Reports. 13
225-A:14 Registration Required. 14
225-A:15 Application for Registration. 15
225-A:18-a Emergency Shut-Down. 17
225-A:19-a Operation Forbidden. 19
225-A:23 Responsibilities of the Ski Area Operator. 21
225-A:24 Responsibilities of Skiers and Passengers. 24
225-A:25 Insurance; Limitations. 29
225-A:1 Declaration of Policy.
The state of New Hampshire finds that the sports of skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing are practiced by a large number of citizens of the state of New Hampshire, and also that skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing attract to the state of New Hampshire large numbers of nonresidents significantly contributing to the economy of New Hampshire. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state of New Hampshire to protect its citizens and visitors from unnecessary mechanical hazards in the operation of ski tows, lifts, nordic ski jumps and passenger tramways, to ensure that proper design and construction are used, that board accepted safety devices and sufficient personnel are provided for, and that periodic inspections and adjustments are made which are deemed essential to the safe operation of ski tows, ski lifts, nordic ski jumps and passenger tramways. The primary responsibility for operation, construction, maintenance and inspection rests with the operators of such passenger tramway devices. The state, through its passenger tramway safety board, as hereinafter provided, shall register all ski lift devices and nordic ski jumps, establish reasonable standards of design and operational practices, and make such independent inspections as may be necessary in carrying out this policy. Further, it shall be the policy of the state of New Hampshire to define the primary areas of responsibility of skiers and other users of alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross country and nordic ski jumps) areas, recognizing that the sport of skiing and other ski area activities involve risks and hazards which must be assumed as a matter of law by those engaging in such activities, regardless of all safety measures taken by the ski area operators.
225-A:1-a Administratively Attached.
The passenger tramway safety board shall be an administratively attached agency, under RSA 21-G:10, to the department of safety.
225-A:2 Definitions.
In this chapter:
“Board” means the passenger tramway safety board.
“Department” means the department of safety.
“Industry” means the activities of all those persons in the state who own or control the operation of ski areas.
“Nordic ski jump” means a facility constructed for the purpose of nordic ski jumping and built in accordance with appropriate standards and guidelines, and any facilities that are associated with the use or viewing of such a facility.
“Passenger” means any person, including skiers, while being transported or conveyed by a passenger tramway, or while waiting in the immediate vicinity for such transportation or conveyance, or while moving away from the disembarkation or unloading point of a passenger tramway to clear the way for the following passengers, or while in the act of boarding or embarking upon or disembarking from a passenger tramway.
“Passenger tramway” means a device used to transport passengers uphill on skis or other winter sports devices, or in cars on tracks or suspended in the air, by the use of steel cables, chains or belts or by ropes, and usually supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans. The term passenger tramway shall include the following:
Two-car aerial passenger tramway, a device used to transport passengers in 2 open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices.
Multi-car aerial passenger tramway, a device used to transport passengers in open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices.
“Conveyor” means a class of outdoor transportation wherein skiers or passengers are transported uphill on a flexible moving element such as a conveyor belt.
Chair lift, a type of transportation on which passengers are carried on chairs suspended in the air and attached to a moving cable, chain or link belt supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans, or similar devices.
J bar, T bar or platter pull, so-called, and similar types of devices are means of transportation which pull skiers riding on skis by means of an attachment to a main overhead cable supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans.
Rope tow, a type of transportation which pulls the skier riding on skis as the skier grasps the rope manually, or similar devices.
Wire rope tow means a type of transportation by which skiers are pulled on skis while manually gripping a handle attached to a wire hauling cable. The hauling cable is maintained at a constant height range between the loading and unloading points, and there is only one span with no intermediate towers.
“Ski area operator” means a person who owns or controls the operation of a ski area. The word “operator” shall include the state or any political subdivision. An operator of a passenger tramway shall be deemed not to be operating a common carrier. Ski area operator is included in the term “operator” as used in this chapter.
“Ski areas” means all passenger tramways and all designated alpine and nordic trails, slopes, freestyle terrain, tubing terrain, and nordic ski jumps under the control of the alpine and nordic ski area operator and any other areas under the operator’s control open to the public for winter sports recreation or competition.
“Skier” means a person utilizing the ski area under the control of a ski area operator for ski, snowboard, and snow tube recreation and competition.
“Tubing terrain” means areas designated for sliding on inflatable tubes or other similar devices down a prepared course or lanes at a ski area.
“Winter sports” means the use of skis, snowboards, snow tubes, snowshoes, and any device being utilized by a disabled or adaptive participant for winter recreation or competition.
225-A:3 Passenger Tramway Safety Board.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:3-a Passenger Tramway Safety Board.
There shall be a passenger tramway safety board of 4 appointive members. The appointive members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, from persons representing the following interests: one member who operates a “surface lift” as described in RSA 225-A:2, I(e)-(g) only and one member from the cable and other passenger carrying devices industry, and in making such appointments consideration shall be given to recommendations made by members of the industry, so that both the devices which pull skiers riding on skis and the devices which transport passengers in cars or chairs shall have proper representation; one member to represent the public at large; and one member to represent insurance companies which engage in insuring passenger tramway operations, and in appointing such member consideration shall be given to recommendations made by such insurance companies. The authority of such board shall not extend to any other matter relative to the operation of a ski area.
225-A:4 Term of Office.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:4-a Term of Office.
Of the first appointments under this section one member shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of 2 years, one for a term of 3 years and one for a term of 4 years, and until their successors are appointed and qualified, and thereafter each of the appointed members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and until his successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies in the board shall be filled for the unexpired term.
225-A:5 Removal.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:5-a Removal.
The appointive members of the board may only be removed from office as provided in RSA 4:1.
225-A:6 Compensation.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:6-a Compensation.
The appointive members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in official duties.
225-A:7 Records.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:7-a Records.
The department shall provide the board with such office and clerical assistance as may be necessary to carry on the work of the board, in accordance with RSA 225-A:1-a. The department shall also preserve the records, codes, inspection reports, and business records of the board.
225-A:8 Rulemaking.
The board with the approval of the commissioner of safety shall adopt, under RSA 541-A, rules after public hearing, relating to public safety in the construction, operation and maintenance of passenger tramways. The rules shall be in accordance with established standards, if any, and shall not be discriminatory in their application to operators of passenger tramways. The board shall also give notice of any public hearing under RSA 541-A for such rules by first class mail to each registered operator at least 14 days before the hearing.
225-A:9 Declaratory Judgment.
[Repealed 1987, 124:26, IV, eff. July 1, 1987.]
225-A:9-a Declaratory Judgment.
The validity or reasonableness of any rule adopted by the board may be judicially determined upon a petition to the superior court for declaratory judgment, brought within 30 days after the effective date of such rule. The court shall hear the petition and render a declaratory judgment only when it appears that the rule, or its threatened application, interferes with or impairs or threatens to interfere with or impair the legal rights and privileges of the petitioner. In rendering judgment the court shall give effect to any pertinent constitutional limitations upon the powers of the board, the limits of the authority and jurisdiction of the board as conferred under this chapter, and the procedural requirements of this chapter.
225-A:10 Inspections.
The department may make such inspection of the construction, operation and maintenance of passenger tramways as the board may reasonably require. The department may, at its own expense, employ other qualified engineers to make such inspections.
225-A:10-a Review of Plans and Specifications.
Prior to the construction of a new, or the alteration of an existing, passenger tramway, the operator or prospective operator shall submit plans and specifications to the department. The department may make recommendations relative to safety of the layout and equipment, but such recommendation shall not relieve the operator or prospective operator of his primary responsibility as set forth in RSA 225-A:1.
225-A:11 Operator to Pay Certain Costs.
[Repealed 1973, 52:5, eff. May 23, 1973.]
225-A:12 Inspection Reports.
If, as the result of an inspection, it is found that a violation of the board’s rules, regulations or code exists, or a condition in passenger tramway construction, operation or maintenance exists endangering the safety of the public, an immediate report shall be made to the board for appropriate investigation and order.
225-A:13 Complaints.
Any person may make written complaint to the board setting forth any thing or act claimed to be done or omitted to be done by any registered operator which is alleged to be in violation of any rule, regulation or code adopted by the board, or setting forth any condition in passenger tramway construction, operation or maintenance which is alleged to endanger the safety of the public. Thereupon the board shall cause a copy of said complaint to be forwarded to the registered operator complained of, which may be accompanied by an order requiring that the matters complained of be answered in writing within a time to be specified by the board. The board may investigate the matter complained of if it shall appear to the board that there are reasonable grounds therefor.
225-A:14 Registration Required.
No passenger tramway shall be operated in this state unless the operator thereof was registered by the board.
225-A:15 Application for Registration.
On or before November 1 of each year every operator of a passenger tramway shall apply to the board, on forms prepared by it, for registration hereunder. The application shall contain such information as the board may reasonably require.
225-A:16 Fees.
The application for registration shall be accompanied by the applicable annual fees to cover the costs of administering this chapter. The fees for registration shall be set by the board by rule adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.
225-A:17 Registration.
The board, if satisfied with the facts stated in the application, shall issue a registration certificate to the operator. Each registration shall expire on October 31 next following the day of its issue.
225-A:18 Fees.
All fees collected by the board hereunder shall be credited to the special appropriation for the department to be expended for purposes of this chapter.
225-A:18-a Emergency Shut-Down.
When facts are presented to the board, or to any member thereof, tending to show that an unreasonable hazard exists in the continued operation of a tramway, the board or member, after such verification of said facts as is practical under the circumstances and consistent with the public safety, may, by an emergency order require the operator of said tramway forthwith to cease using the same for the transportation of passengers. Such emergency order shall be in writing and notice thereof may be served by any person upon the operator or his agent immediately in control of said tramway by a true and attested copy of such order, the return of such service to be shown by an affidavit on the back thereof. Such emergency order shall be effective for a period not to exceed 48 hours from the time of service. Immediately after the issuance of an emergency order hereunder, the board shall conduct an investigation into the facts of the case as contemplated in RSA 225-A:19, and shall take such action under said RSA 225-A:19 as may be appropriate.
225-A:19 Orders.
If, after investigation, the commissioner of safety or the board finds that a violation of any of the rules exists, or that there is a condition in passenger tramway construction, operation or maintenance endangering the safety of the public, either the commissioner of safety or the board shall forthwith issue a written order setting forth his or its findings, the corrective action to be taken, and fixing a reasonable time for compliance therewith. Such order shall be served upon the operator involved by registered mail, and shall become final, unless the operator shall apply to the board for a hearing in the manner hereinafter provided.
225-A:19-a Operation Forbidden.
If in any such case the commissioner of safety or the board is of the opinion that the public safety would be endangered by the use of the tramway for the transportation of passengers prior to the taking of some or all of such corrective action, he or it shall so state in said order, and shall require in said order that the tramway shall not be so used until specified corrective action shall have been taken. From and after receipt of the order by the operator said tramway shall not be used for the transportation of passengers without the approval of the commissioner of safety or the board. Application for a hearing before the board shall not have the effect of suspending said order. Operation of the tramway following receipt of such order may be enjoined by the superior court.
225-A:20 Hearing.
Any such operator, who is aggrieved by any such order, may, within 10 days after the service of such order upon him as hereinbefore provided, apply to the board for a review of such order. It shall be the duty of the board to hear the same at the earliest convenient day. At such hearing the operator shall have the right to be heard personally or by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses appearing against him, and to produce evidence in his own behalf. After such hearing, the board shall report its findings in writing to the commissioner of safety and make such order as the facts may require.
225-A:21 Appeal.
Any such operator, who is aggrieved by any such post-hearing order of the board, may, within 14 days after the entry thereof, appeal therefrom to the superior court. No such appeal shall suspend the operation of the order made by the board; provided that the superior court may suspend the order of the board pending the determination of such appeal whenever, in the opinion of the court, justice may require such suspension. The superior court shall hear such appeal at the earliest convenient day and shall make such decree as justice may require.
225-A:23 Responsibilities of the Ski Area Operator.
It shall be the responsibility of the operator to maintain the following signs and designations:
General Designations. The following color code is hereby established:
Green circle: On area’s easiest trails and slopes.
Black diamond: On area’s most difficult trails and slopes.
Blue square: On area’s trails and slopes that fall between the green circle and black diamond designation.
Yellow triangle with red exclamation point inside with a red band around the triangle: Extrahazardous.
Border around a black figure in the shape of a skier inside with a band running diagonally across the sign with the word “closed” beneath the emblem: Trail or slope closed.
Orange oval: On area’s designated freestyle terrain without respect to its degree of difficulty.
Base Area; Information to Skiers and Passengers. (a) A trail board shall be maintained at a prominent location listing the ski area’s network of ski trails, slopes, tubing terrain, and designated freestyle terrain in accordance with the aforementioned color code and containing a key to the code in accordance with the above designations; said trail board shall further designate which trails, slopes, and snow tube terrain are open or closed.
(b) The ski area operator shall warn skiers and passengers by use of the trail board, if applicable, that snow grooming or snow making operations are routinely in progress on the slopes and trails serviced by each tramway.
(c) A map shall be available at all ski areas to all skiers and passengers indicating the system of ski trails, slopes, tubing terrain, and designated freestyle terrain in accordance with the color code in paragraph I.
Ski Trails and Slopes; Information and Warning to Skiers and Other Persons. (a) The operator shall mark the beginning of each alpine and nordic ski trail or slope with the appropriate symbol for that particular trail’s or slope’s degree of difficulty in accordance with RSA 225-A:23, I.
(b) The beginning of each alpine ski trail or slope is defined as the highest point of the trail or slope. Lower trail junctions and intersections may be marked with a degree of difficulty symbol.
(c) The operator shall mark the beginning of, and designated access points to, each alpine trail or slope that is closed with a sign in accordance with RSA 225-A:23, I(e). For purposes of this subparagraph, “designated access points” means the beginning of a trail, slope, or any point where an open trail crosses or intersects the closed trail as shown on the ski area’s trail board and trail map.
(d) The operator shall mark the beginning of and designated access points to terrain with the appropriate symbol in accordance with RSA 225-A:23, I(f), which sign shall warn the skier that the use of the terrain is at the skier’s own risk. Further, a sign shall be placed at each lift depicting the symbols in RSA 225-A:23, I(a)-(f) describing the trail or slope that the skier may encounter by utilizing such lift.
Nordic Ski Jumps. The operator shall provide a sign in a prominent location at or near the nordic ski jump facility, which sign shall warn the ski jumper that the use of the nordic ski jump is entirely at the ski jumper’s own risk. Further, the ski area operator shall be responsible for the design, construction, and structural maintenance of all nordic ski jumps.
225-A:24 Responsibilities of Skiers and Passengers.
It is hereby recognized that, regardless of all safety measures which may be taken by the ski area operator, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing as sports, and the use of passenger tramways associated therewith may be hazardous to the skiers or passengers. Therefore:
Each person who participates in the sport of skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing accepts as a matter of law, the dangers inherent in the sport, and to that extent may not maintain an action against the operator for any injuries which result from such inherent risks, dangers, or hazards. The categories of such risks, hazards, or dangers which the skier or passenger assumes as a matter of law include but are not limited to the following: variations in terrain, surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots; rocks, trees, stumps and other forms of forest growth or debris; terrain, lift towers, and components thereof (all of the foregoing whether above or below snow surface); pole lines and plainly marked or visible snow making equipment; collisions with other skiers or other persons or with any of the categories included in this paragraph.
Each skier and passenger shall have the sole responsibility for knowing the range of his or her own ability to negotiate any slope, trail, terrain, or passenger tramway. Any passenger who boards such tramway shall be presumed to have sufficient knowledge, abilities, and physical dexterity to negotiate the lift, and no liability shall attach to any operator or attendant for failure to instruct persons on the use thereof.
Each skier or passenger shall conduct himself or herself, within the limits of his or her own ability, maintain control of his or her speed and course at all times both on the ground and in the air, while skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing heed all posted warnings, and refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of himself, herself, or others.
Each passenger shall be the sole judge of his ability to negotiate any uphill track, and no action shall be maintained against any operator by reason of the condition of said track unless the board, upon appropriate evidence furnished to it, makes a finding that the condition of the track, at the time and place of an accident, did not meet the board’s requirements, provided however, that the ski area operator shall have had notice, prior to the accident, of the board’s requirements the violation of which is claimed to be the basis for any action by the passenger.
No skier, passenger or other person shall:
Embark or disembark upon a passenger tramway except at designated areas.
Throw or drop any object while riding on a passenger tramway nor do any act or thing which shall interfere with the running of said tramway.
Engage in any type of conduct which will contribute to cause injury to any other person nor shall he willfully place any object in the uphill ski track which may cause another to fall, while riding in a passenger tramway.
Ski or otherwise use a slope or trail which has been designated “closed” by the operator without written permission of said operator or designee.
Remove, alter, deface or destroy any sign or notice placed in the ski area or on the trail board by the operator.
Cross the uphill track of a J bar, T bar, rope tow, wire rope, or similar device except at locations approved by the board.
Ski or otherwise access terrain outside open and designated ski trails and slopes or beyond ski area boundaries without written permission of said operator or designee.
225-A:25 Insurance; Limitations.
Unless an operator of a passenger tramway is in violation of this chapter or the rules of the board, which violation is causal of the injury complained of, no action shall lie against any operator by any passenger or his or her representative; this prohibition shall not, however, prevent the maintenance of an action against an operator for negligent operation, construction, or maintenance of the passenger tramway itself.
Except as limited by paragraph III, each operator of a passenger tramway shall maintain liability insurance with limits of not less than $300,000 per accident.
The requirements of paragraph II shall not apply to an operator of a passenger tramway which is not open to the general public and operated without charge to users. Nonprofit ski clubs, outing clubs, or other similar organizations, which are operators of rope or wire rope tows shall also be excepted from the requirements of paragraph II if the organization’s bylaws so provide, each member of the organization is provided with a copy of such bylaws, and use of the rope or wire rope tows operated by the organization is restricted to members of that organization. This paragraph shall not relieve the state or any political subdivision operating a rope or wire rope tow from the requirement of maintaining liability insurance in accordance with paragraph II.
No action shall be maintained against any operator for injuries to any skier or passenger unless the same is commenced within 2 years from the time of injury provided, however, that as a condition precedent thereof the operator shall be notified by certified return receipt mail within 90 days of said injury. The venue of any action against an operator shall be in the county where the ski area is located and not otherwise.
No ski area operator shall be held responsible for ensuring the safety of, or for damages including injury or death resulting to, skiers or other persons who utilize the facilities of a ski area to access terrain outside open and designated ski trails. Ski areas shall not be liable for damages, including injury or death, to persons who venture beyond such open and designated ski trails.
A ski area operator owes no duty to anyone who trespasses on the ski area property.
225-A:26 Penalty.
Any person convicted of operating a passenger tramway without having been registered by the board, or violating this chapter or rules of the board shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person. Any operator who operates after his registration has been suspended by the board, shall be guilty of a violation for each day of illegal operation.
227:14 Reduced Rates.
All season passes, including those for different age groups or military service, established by the department for the specific use of the winter facilities at Cannon Mountain aerial tramway and ski area shall be made available to any resident of this state at a 25 percent discount. For the purposes of this section, “resident of this state” means a person whose domicile is in this state. To qualify for the discount, a resident shall provide proof of residency and purchase the pass prior to December 15 of the year in which the pass becomes effective. Proof of residency shall include a state issued driver’s license; a state issued I.D. card with a photograph or information including name, sex, date of birth, height, weight and color of eyes; a United States passport; an affidavit certifying residency from the municipal clerk of the purchasers’ town or city of residence; or, for a person less than 18 years of age, proof of a parent’s or guardian’s residency provided by the resident parent or guardian. The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development shall make quarterly reports on season passes issued under this section to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor and council.
Idaho Ski Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Idaho, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Alpine skiing, Idaho, Idaho Ski Safety Act, Outdoors, Recreation, Ski, ski area, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Skier, Snowboarder Leave a commentIdaho Ski Safety Act
IDAHO CODE
CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
TITLE 6. ACTIONS IN PARTICULAR CASES
CHAPTER 11. RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIABILITIES OF SKIERS AND SKI AREA OPERATORS
Go to the Idaho Code Archive Directory
Idaho Code § 6-1101 (2012)
§ 6-1101. Legislative purpose
The legislature finds that the sport of skiing is practiced by a large number of citizens of this state and also attracts a large number of nonresidents, significantly contributing to the economy of Idaho. Since it is recognized that there are inherent risks in the sport of skiing which should be understood by each skier and which are essentially impossible to eliminate by the ski area operation, it is the purpose of this chapter to define those areas of responsibility and affirmative acts for which ski area operators shall be liable for loss, damage or injury, and to define those risks which the skier expressly assumes and for which there can be no recovery.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1101, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
ANALYSIS
When the legislature stated the legislative purpose of this chapter, it included the statement that “the sport of skiing is practiced by a large number of citizens of this state and also attracts a large number of nonresidents, significantly contributing to the economy of Idaho,” and since this was a legitimate legislative goal and satisfies the rational basis test, this chapter does not violate the equal protection clause of the constitution. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
In enacting this chapter, the legislature intended to limit rather than expand the liability of ski area operators. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
The government of Idaho clearly has a legitimate interest in promoting the sport of skiing, because the sport “significantly contribut[es] to the economy of Idaho.” This chapter bears a rational relationship to this interest because it clarifies the allocation of risks and responsibilities between ski area operators and skiers. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
This chapter immunizes ski area operators only from liability arising from risks inherent in the sport of skiing. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
CITED IN: Kirkland ex rel. Kirkland v. Blain County Med. Ctr., 134 Idaho 464, 4 P.3d 1115 (2000).
§ 6-1102. Definitions
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section.
(1) “Aerial passenger tramway” means any device operated by a ski area operator used to transport passengers, by single or double reversible tramway; chair lift or gondola lift; T-bar lift, J-bar lift, platter lift or similar device; or a fiber rope tow, which is subject to regulations adopted by the proper authority.
(2) “Passenger” means any person who is lawfully using an aerial passenger tramway, or is waiting to embark or has recently disembarked from an aerial passenger tramway and is in its immediate vicinity.
(3) “Ski area” means the property owned or leased and under the control of the ski area operator within the state of Idaho.
(4) “Ski area operator” means any person, partnership, corporation or other commercial entity and their agents, officers, employees or representatives, who has operational responsibility for any ski area or aerial passenger tramway.
(5) “Skiing area” means all designated slopes and trails but excludes any aerial passenger tramway.
(6) “Skier” means any person present at a skiing area under the control of a ski area operator for the purpose of engaging in the sport of skiing by utilizing the ski slopes and trails and does not include the use of an aerial passenger tramway.
(7) “Ski slopes and trails” mean those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for the purpose of participating in the sport of skiing.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1102, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
§ 6-1103. Duties of ski area operators with respect to ski areas
Every ski area operator shall have the following duties with respect to their operation of a skiing area:
(1) To mark all trail maintenance vehicles and to furnish such vehicles with flashing or rotating lights which shall be in operation whenever the vehicles are working or are in movement in the skiing area;
(2) To mark with a visible sign or other warning implement the location of any hydrant or similar equipment used in snowmaking operations and located on ski slopes and trails;
(3) To mark conspicuously the top or entrance to each slope or trail or area, with an appropriate symbol for its relative degree of difficulty; and those slopes, trails, or areas which are closed, shall be so marked at the top or entrance;
(4) To maintain one or more trail boards at prominent locations at each ski area displaying that area’s network of ski trails and slopes with each trail and slope rated thereon as to it [its] relative degree of difficulty;
(5) To designate by trail board or otherwise which trails or slopes are open or closed;
(6) To place, or cause to be placed, whenever snowgrooming or snowmaking operations are being undertaken upon any trail or slope while such trail or slope is open to the public, a conspicuous notice to that effect at or near the top of such trail or slope;
(7) To post notice of the requirements of this chapter concerning the use of ski retention devices. This obligation shall be the sole requirement imposed upon the ski area operator regarding the requirement for or use of ski retention devices;
(8) To provide a ski patrol with qualifications meeting the standards of the national ski patrol system;
(9) To post a sign at the bottom of all aerial passenger tramways which advises the passengers to seek advice if not familiar with riding the aerial passenger tramway; and
(10) Not to intentionally or negligently cause injury to any person; provided, that except for the duties of the operator set forth in subsections (1) through (9) of this section and in section 6-1104, Idaho Code, the operator shall have no duty to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the risks inherent in the sport of skiing, which risks include but are not limited to those described in section 6-1106, Idaho Code; and, that no activities undertaken by the operator in an attempt to eliminate, alter, control or lessen such risks shall be deemed to impose on the operator any duty to accomplish such activities to any standard of care.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1103, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES: COMPILER’S NOTES. The national ski patrol provides training and education programs for emergency rescuers serving the outdoor recreation community. See http://www.nsp.org.
The bracketed word “its” in subsection (4) was inserted by the compiler.
When a skier ignores the ski area’s instructions to ski only on designated trails and embarks on an enterprise too difficult for someone of his ability, the ski area is not liable for his mishaps. Long v. Bogus Basin Recreational Ass’n, 125 Idaho 230, 869 P.2d 230 (1994).
Under this chapter, a ski area operator is not liable for the improper placement of a sign erected to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the inherent risks in skiing or for the improper design, construction or padding of a signpost that supported the sign. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
In personal injury action by skier injured when she tripped over a rope intended to guide people away from the exit ramp of a chair lift, summary judgment was properly granted to ski resort, as the rope was intended to eliminate, alter, control, or lessen the inherent risk of skiing. The accident was not caused by the construction, operation, maintenance or repair of the chairlift. Withers v. Bogus Basin Rec. Ass’n, 144 Idaho 78, 156 P.3d 579 (2007).
Setting up a NASTAR race course is a normal part of running a ski area, and thus, anything a ski area does to eliminate or lessen the inherent risks of skiing in connection with setting up the race course or protecting skiers from hazardous obstacles cannot be the basis of liability for negligence. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 774 F. Supp. 1253 (D. Idaho 1991), aff’d, 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
Under § 6-1106, anyone who strikes a ski lift tower while skiing is considered to have expressly assumed the risk and legal responsibility for any injury which results, and in addition, under subsection (10) of this section, anything a ski area operator does to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the risks associated with lift towers — such as placing a fence around a tower or padding it — could not result in the operator being held liable for negligence. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 774 F. Supp. 1253 (D. Idaho 1991), aff’d, 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
Ski area operator owed amateur race skier no duty to reduce the risk of his striking and injuring himself on a lift tower. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
If a ski area operator has no duty to accomplish any activity undertaken in an attempt to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the inherent risks of skiing and if the duties described in this section and § 6-1104 are the only duties an operator has with regard to the inherent risks of skiing, then it necessarily follows that any activity of an operator to fulfill those duties may not be held to be negligence, since the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
A ski area operator’s duty not to negligently cause injury refers to the failure to follow (1) any of the duties set forth in this section and § 6-1104 or (2) any duty that does not relate to eliminating, altering, controlling or lessening the inherent risks of skiing. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
While one of the duties imposed on ski area operators by this section is to mark conspicuously the top or entrance to each slope or trail or area, with an appropriate symbol for its relative degree of difficulty, even assuming that a ski area operator may not have properly located a sign or properly designed, constructed or padded the signpost, this chapter excludes any liability of ski area operator to the plaintiffs as a result of these activities; while subdivision (3) of this section did require ski area operator to mark the entrance to each of its slopes, trails or areas, subsection (10) of this section negates any duty to accomplish this marking to any standard of care. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
The duties described in this section and § 6-1104 are the only duties a ski area operator has with respect to the inherent risks of skiing and even anything an operator does to fulfill those duties cannot be held to be negligence because the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care, and in addition, anything else a ski area operator does to attempt to lessen the inherent risks of skiing cannot result in liability for negligence for that action. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 774 F. Supp. 1253 (D. Idaho 1991), aff’d, 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
In conducting training sessions, the defendant foundation did not have the responsibility to fulfill the duties under this section; the mere fact that the defendant foundation set up the course within the ski area did not make them a “ski operator.” By setting up the course the defendant foundation was not engaged in any duties or activities of a “ski area operator.” By making use of the ski area for training, defendant foundation did not exercise “operational responsibility” for the ski area, and the court correctly denied defendant’s summary judgment on that basis. Davis v. Sun Valley Ski Educ. Found., Inc., 130 Idaho 400, 941 P.2d 1301 (1997).
A ski area operator does not have the duty to provide a ski patrol that will determine the identity of a skier who was involved in a ski accident with another skier. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
An injury to the body caused by falling while skiing in an unmarked, ungroomed area is an inherent risk of skiing and a ski resort had no duty to take some kind of affirmative steps to have prevented skier from being injured. Long v. Bogus Basin Recreational Ass’n, 125 Idaho 230, 869 P.2d 230 (1994).
§ 6-1104. Duties of ski area operators with respect to aerial passenger tramways
Every ski area operator shall have the duty to construct, operate, maintain and repair any aerial passenger tramway in accordance with the American national standards safety requirements for aerial passenger tramways.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1104, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES: COMPILER’S NOTES. The American national standards institute’s current publication covering tramway safety is ANSI B77.1-2006, “Passenger Ropeway & Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors — Safety Requirement.”
ANALYSIS
In personal injury action by skier injured when she tripped over a rope intended to guide people away from the exit ramp of a chair lift, summary judgment was properly granted to ski resort, as the rope was intended to eliminate, alter, control, or lessen the inherent risk of skiing. The accident was not caused by the construction, operation, maintenance or repair of the chairlift. Withers v. Bogus Basin Rec. Ass’n, 144 Idaho 78, 156 P.3d 579 (2007).
If a ski area operator has no duty to accomplish any activity undertaken in an attempt to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the inherent risks of skiing and if the duties described in § 6-1103 and this section are the only duties an operator has with regard to the inherent risks of skiing, then it necessarily follows that any activity of an operator to fulfill those duties may not be held to be negligence, since the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
A ski area operator’s duty not to negligently cause injury refers to the failure to follow (1) any of the duties set forth in § 6-1103 and this section or (2) any duty that does not relate to eliminating, altering, controlling or lessening the inherent risks of skiing. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
The duties described in § 6-1103 and this section are the only duties a ski area operator has with respect to the inherent risks of skiing and even anything an operator does to fulfill those duties cannot be held to be negligence because the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care; in addition, anything else a ski area operator does to attempt to lessen the inherent risks of skiing cannot result in liability for negligence for that action. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 774 F. Supp. 1253 (D. Idaho 1991), aff’d, 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
§ 6-1104. Duties of ski area operators with respect to aerial passenger tramways
Every ski area operator shall have the duty to construct, operate, maintain and repair any aerial passenger tramway in accordance with the American national standards safety requirements for aerial passenger tramways.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1104, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES: COMPILER’S NOTES. The American national standards institute’s current publication covering tramway safety is ANSI B77.1-2006, “Passenger Ropeway & Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors — Safety Requirement.”
In personal injury action by skier injured when she tripped over a rope intended to guide people away from the exit ramp of a chair lift, summary judgment was properly granted to ski resort, as the rope was intended to eliminate, alter, control, or lessen the inherent risk of skiing. The accident was not caused by the construction, operation, maintenance or repair of the chairlift. Withers v. Bogus Basin Rec. Ass’n, 144 Idaho 78, 156 P.3d 579 (2007).
If a ski area operator has no duty to accomplish any activity undertaken in an attempt to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the inherent risks of skiing and if the duties described in § 6-1103 and this section are the only duties an operator has with regard to the inherent risks of skiing, then it necessarily follows that any activity of an operator to fulfill those duties may not be held to be negligence, since the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
A ski area operator’s duty not to negligently cause injury refers to the failure to follow (1) any of the duties set forth in § 6-1103 and this section or (2) any duty that does not relate to eliminating, altering, controlling or lessening the inherent risks of skiing. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
The duties described in § 6-1103 and this section are the only duties a ski area operator has with respect to the inherent risks of skiing and even anything an operator does to fulfill those duties cannot be held to be negligence because the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care; in addition, anything else a ski area operator does to attempt to lessen the inherent risks of skiing cannot result in liability for negligence for that action. Collins v. Schweitzer, Inc., 774 F. Supp. 1253 (D. Idaho 1991), aff’d, 21 F.3d 1491 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 962, 115 S. Ct. 422, 130 L. Ed. 2d 337 (1994).
§ 6-1105. Duties of passengers
Every passenger shall have the duty not to:
(1) Board or embark upon or disembark from an aerial passenger tramway except at an area designated for such purpose;
(2) Drop, throw or expel any object from an aerial passenger tramway;
(3) Do any act which shall interfere with the running or operation of an aerial passenger tramway;
(4) Use any aerial passenger tramway if the passenger does not have the ability to use it safely without instruction until the passenger has requested and received sufficient instruction to permit safe usage;
(5) Embark on an aerial passenger tramway without the authority of the ski area operator;
(6) Use any aerial passenger tramway without engaging such safety or restraining devices as may be provided.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1105, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
§ 6-1106. Duties of skiers
It is recognized that skiing as a recreational sport is hazardous to skiers, regardless of all feasible safety measures which can be taken.
Each skier expressly assumes the risk of and legal responsibility for any injury to person or property which results from participation in the sport of skiing including any injury caused by the following, all whether above or below snow surface: variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare spots, rocks, trees, other forms of forest growth or debris, lift towers and components thereof; utility poles, and snowmaking and snowgrooming equipment which is plainly visible or plainly marked in accordance with the provisions of section 6-1103, Idaho Code. Therefore, each skier shall have the sole individual responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate any slope or trail, and it shall be the duty of each skier to ski within the limits of the skier’s own ability, to maintain reasonable control of speed and course at all times while skiing, to heed all posted warnings, to ski only on a skiing area designated by the ski area operator and to refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone. The responsibility for collisions by any skier while actually skiing, with any person, shall be solely that of the individual or individuals involved in such collision and not that of the ski area operator.
No person shall place any object in the skiing area or on the uphill track of any aerial passenger tramway which may cause a passenger or skier to fall; cross the track of any T-bar lift, J-bar lift, platter lift or similar device, or a fiber rope tow, except at a designated location; or depart when involved in a skiing accident, from the scene of the accident without leaving personal identification, including name and address, before notifying the proper authorities or obtaining assistance when that person knows that any other person involved in the accident is in need of medical or other assistance.
No skier shall fail to wear retention straps or other devices to help prevent runaway skis.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1106, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
§ 6-1107. Liability of ski area operators
Any ski area operator shall be liable for loss or damages caused by its failure to follow the duties set forth in sections 6-1103 and 6-1104, Idaho Code, where the violation of duty is causally related to the loss or damage suffered. The ski area operators shall not be liable to any passenger or skier acting in violation of their duties as set forth in sections 6-1105 and 6-1106, Idaho Code, where the violation of duty is causally related to the loss or damage suffered; nor shall a ski area operator be liable for any injury or damage to a person who is not legally entitled to be in the ski area; or for any loss or damages caused by any object dropped, thrown or expelled by a passenger from an aerial passenger tramway.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1107, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
When a skier ignores the ski area’s instructions to ski only on designated trails and embarks on an enterprise too difficult for someone of his ability, the ski area is not liable for his mishaps. Long v. Bogus Basin Recreational Ass’n, 125 Idaho 230, 869 P.2d 230 (1994).
This chapter immunizes ski area operators only from liability arising from risks inherent in the sport of skiing. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
In enacting this chapter, the legislature intended to limit rather than expand the liability of ski area operators. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
If a ski area operator has no duty to accomplish any activity undertaken in an attempt to eliminate, alter, control or lessen the inherent risks of skiing and if the duties described in §§ 6-1103 and 6-1104 are the only duties an operator has with regard to the inherent risks of skiing, then it necessarily follows that any activity of an operator to fulfill those duties may not be held to be negligence, since the operator had no duty to accomplish the activity to any standard of care. Northcutt v. Sun Valley Co., 117 Idaho 351, 787 P.2d 1159 (1990).
An injury to the body caused by falling while skiing in an unmarked, ungroomed area is an inherent risk of skiing and a ski resort had no duty to take some kind of affirmative steps to have prevented skier from being injured. Long v. Bogus Basin Recreational Ass’n, 125 Idaho 230, 869 P.2d 230 (1994).
§ 6-1108. Liability of passengers
Any passenger shall be liable for loss or damages resulting from violations of the duties set forth in section 6-1105, Idaho Code, and shall not be able to recover from the ski area operator for any losses or damages where the violation of duty is causally related to the loss or damage suffered.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1108, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
§ 6-1109. Liability of skiers
Any skier shall be liable for loss or damages resulting from violations of the duties set forth in section 6-1106, Idaho Code, and shall not be able to recover from the ski area operator for any losses or damages where the violation of duty is causally related to the loss or damage suffered.
HISTORY: I.C., § 6-1109, as added by 1979, ch. 270, § 1, p. 701.
NOTES:
A.L.R.
Skier’s liability for injuries to or death of another person. 75 A.L.R.5th 583.
Maine Ski Area Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Maine, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: MAINE, Maine Ski Area Safety Act, ski area, Ski Safety Act, Skier Snowboarder Leave a commentMaine Ski Area Safety Act
TITLE 14. COURT PROCEDURE–CIVIL
PART 2. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL
CHAPTER 205. LIMITATION OF ACTIONS
SUBCHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
GO TO MAINE REVISED STATUTES ARCHIVE DIRECTORY
14 M.R.S. § 752-B (2012)
§ 752-B. Ski areas
All civil actions for property damage, bodily injury or death against a ski area owner or operator or tramway owner or operator or its employees, as defined under Title 32, chapter 133, whether based on tort or breach of contract or otherwise, arising out of participation in skiing or hang gliding or the use of a tramway associated with skiing or hang gliding must be commenced within 2 years after the cause of action accrues.
TITLE 32. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER 133. BOARD OF ELEVATOR AND TRAMWAY SAFETY
GO TO MAINE REVISED STATUTES ARCHIVE DIRECTORY
§ 15201. Declaration of policy
It is the policy of the State to protect its citizens and visitors from unnecessary mechanical hazards in the operation of elevators and tramways and to ensure that reasonable design and construction are used, that accepted safety devices and sufficient personnel are provided and that periodic maintenance, inspections and adjustments considered essential for the safe operation of elevators and tramways are made. The responsibility for design, construction, maintenance and inspection rests with the firm, person, partnership, association, corporation or company that owns elevators or tramways.
32 M.R.S. § 15202 (2012)
§ 15202. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. APPROVED. “Approved” means as approved by the Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety.
2. BOARD. “Board” means the Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety.
2-A. CHIEF INSPECTOR. “Chief inspector” means an individual in the employ of the State whose duties include the examination and inspection of elevators and tramways and who has been designated as chief inspector by the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation.
3. COMMISSIONER. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation.
4. DEPARTMENT. “Department” means the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
4-A. DEPUTY INSPECTOR. “Deputy inspector” means an individual in the employ of the State whose duties include the examination and inspection of elevators and tramways under the direction of the chief inspector.
4-B. DIRECT SUPERVISION. “Direct supervision” means that a helper is working in the presence of a licensed elevator or lift mechanic at all times.
4-C. DIRECTOR. “Director” means the Director of the Office of Licensing and Registration.
5. ELEVATOR. “Elevator” includes an escalator or a manlift and means a guided hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car, platform or load-carrying unit, including doors, well, enclosures, means and appurtenances. “Elevator” does not include an inclined stairway chairlift, a conveyor, chain or bucket hoist or a tiering, piling or feeding device. For the purposes of this subsection, “inclined stairway chairlift” means a mechanized chair apparatus running on a track or rail along the side of a staircase.
5-A. ELEVATOR CONTRACTOR. “Elevator contractor” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or company engaged in the installation, sale, service, maintenance or inspection of elevators in this State.
6. ESCALATOR. “Escalator” means a power-driven, inclined and continuous stairway used for raising or lowering passengers.
7. REPEALED. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-3.
7-A. HELPER. “Helper” means a person who is not licensed under this chapter as an elevator mechanic or lift mechanic and who assists in the installation, service or maintenance of elevators located in this State while working under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator mechanic or licensed lift mechanic.
7-B. LICENSED PRIVATE ELEVATOR INSPECTOR. “Licensed private elevator inspector” or “licensed private elevator and lift inspector” means an individual who has been licensed by the board to inspect elevators pursuant to this chapter and who is not a state employee whose duty is to inspect elevators.
8. LICENSED PRIVATE TRAMWAY INSPECTOR. “Licensed private tramway inspector” means an individual who has been licensed by the Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety to inspect tramways pursuant to this chapter and who is not a state employee whose duty is to inspect tramways.
9. MANLIFT. “Manlift” means a device, consisting of a power-driven, endless belt or chains, provided with steps or platforms and handholds attached to it for the transportation of personnel from floor to floor.
10. OPERATOR. “Operator” means the person or persons who physically operate an elevator or tramway.
11. OWNER. “Owner” means a firm, person, partnership, association, corporation or state or political subdivision that owns an elevator or tramway.
12. REPEALED. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-6.
13. PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSON. “Physically handicapped person” means a person who has a physiological disability, infirmity, malformation, disfigurement or condition that eliminates or severely limits the person’s ability to have access to the person’s environment by normal ambulatory function, necessitating the use of crutches, a wheelchair or other similar device for locomotion.
14. SKIER. “Skier” means any person who engages in any of the activities described in section 15217, subsection 1, paragraph B.
15. SKI AREA. “Ski area” means the ski slopes and trails, adjoining skiable terrain, areas designated by the ski area operator to be used for skiing as defined by section 15217, subsection 1, paragraph B and passenger tramways administered or operated as a single enterprise within this State.
16. SKI INDUSTRY. “Ski industry” means the activities of all ski area operators.
17. SKI AREA OPERATOR. “Ski area operator” means a person or organization having operational responsibility for a ski area, including an agency or a political subdivision of this State.
18. REPEALED. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-8.
19. TRAMWAY. “Tramway” means a device used to transport passengers uphill on skis or in cars on tracks or suspended in the air by the use of steel cables, chains or belts or by ropes usually supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans. “Tramway” includes the following:
A. Reversible aerial tramways, which are that class of aerial passenger tramways and lifts by which passengers are transported in carriers and are not in contact with the ground or snow surface, and in which the carriers reciprocate between terminals. This class includes:
1) Single-reversible tramways, which are a type of reversible lift or aerial tramway having a single carrier, or single group of carriers, that moves back and forth between terminals on a single path of travel, sometimes called “to-and-fro” aerial tramways; and
2) Double-reversible tramways, which are a type of reversible lift or aerial tramway having 2 carriers, or 2 groups of carriers, that oscillate back and forth between terminals on 2 separate paths of travel, sometimes called “jig-back” aerial tramways;
B. Aerial lifts and skimobiles, which are that class of aerial passenger tramways and lifts by which passengers are transported in carriers and are not in contact with the ground or snow surface, and in which the carriers circulate around a closed system and are activated by a wire rope or chain. The carriers usually make U-turns in the terminals and move along parallel and opposing paths of travel. The carriers may be open or enclosed cabins, chairs, cars or platforms. The carriers may be fixed or detachable. This class includes:
1) Gondola lifts, which are a type of lift or aerial tramway by which passengers are transported in open or enclosed cabins. The passengers embark and disembark while the carriers are stationary or moving slowly under a controlled arrangement;
2) Chair lifts, which are a type of lift or aerial tramway by which passengers are transported in chairs, either open or partially enclosed; and
3) Skimobiles, which are a type of lift or aerial tramway by which passengers are transported in open or enclosed cars that ride on a rigid structural system and are propelled by a wire rope or chain;
C. Surface lifts, which are that class of conveyance by which passengers are propelled by means of a circulating overhead wire rope while remaining in contact with the ground or snow surface. Transportation is limited to one direction. Connection between the passengers and the wire rope is by means of a device attached to and circulating with the haul rope known as a “towing outfit.” This class includes:
1) T-bar lifts, which are a type of lift in which the device between the haul rope and passengers forms the shape of an inverted “T,” propelling passengers located on both sides of the stem of the “T”;
2) J-bar lifts, which are a type of lift in which the device between the haul rope and passenger is in the general form of a “J,” propelling a single passenger located on the one side of the stem of the “J”; and
3) Platter lifts, which are a type of lift in which the device between the haul rope and passenger is a single stem with a platter or disk, attached to the lower end of the stem, propelling the passenger astride the stem of the platter or disk;
D. Tows, which are that class of conveyance in which passengers grasp a circulating haul rope, which may be natural or synthetic fiber or metallic, or a handle or gripping device attached to the circulating haul rope, and are propelled by the circulating haul rope. The passengers remain in contact with the ground or snow surface. The upward-traveling haul rope remains adjacent to the uphill track at an elevation that permits the passengers to maintain their grasp on the haul rope, handle or gripping device throughout the portion of the tow length that is designed to be traveled; and
E. Similar equipment not specified in this subsection, but conforming to at least one of the general descriptions in this subsection.
20. TRAMWAY PASSENGER. “Tramway passenger” means a person being transported or conveyed by a tramway, waiting in the immediate vicinity for transportation or conveyance by a tramway, moving away from the disembarkation or unloading point of a tramway to clear the way for the following passengers or boarding, embarking upon or disembarking from a tramway.
§ 15203. Retroactive effect; exception
This chapter may not be construed to prevent the use or sale of elevators in this State that were being used or installed prior to January 1, 1950 and that have been made to conform to the rules of the board covering existing installations and must be inspected as provided for in this chapter.
This chapter does not apply to elevators or tramways on reservations of the Federal Government, to elevators used for agricultural purposes on farms or to elevators located or maintained in private residences, as long as they are exclusively for private use.
§ 15204. Appeals; variances
A person aggrieved by an order or act of the chief inspector or a deputy inspector under this chapter may, within 15 days after notice of the order or act, appeal from the order or act to the board, which shall hold a hearing pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter IV. After the hearing, the board shall issue an appropriate order either approving or disapproving the order or act.
Any person who is or will be aggrieved by the application of any law, code or rule relating to the installation or alteration of elevators or tramways may file a petition for a variance, whether compliance with that provision is required at the time of filing or at the time that provision becomes effective. The filing fee for a petition for a variance must be set by the director under section 15225-A. The chief inspector may grant a variance if, owing to conditions especially affecting the particular building or installation involved, the enforcement of any law, code or rule relating to elevators or tramways would do manifest injustice or cause substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, to the petitioner or any occupant of the petitioner’s building or would be unreasonable under the circumstances or condition of the property, provided that desirable relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without nullifying or substantially derogating from the intent or purpose of that law, code or rule. In granting a variance under this section, the chief inspector may impose limitations both of time and of use, and a continuation of the use permitted may be conditioned upon compliance with rules made and amended from time to time. A copy of the decision must be sent to all interested parties.
§ 15205. Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety
The Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety, as established by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 14, consists of 9 members, of whom 7 are appointed by the Governor. Of the 7 members of the board appointed by the Governor, one must be an owner or lessee of an elevator in the State; one must be a manufacturer of elevators; one must be a manufacturer or installer of accessibility lifts; one must be a licensed elevator mechanic; one must be a ski area operator presently operating tramways in the State; one must be a qualified licensed professional engineer who is familiar with tramway design, inspection and operation; and one must be a public member as defined in Title 5, section 12004-A. The 8th member of the board must be a physically handicapped person appointed by the Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, subject to the approval of the Governor. The 9th member of the board must be a member of the Division of Fire Prevention appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Appointments are for 3-year terms. Appointments of members must comply with Title 10, section 8009. A member may be removed by the Governor for cause.
1. DELETED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-1.
2. MEETINGS; CHAIR; QUORUM. The board shall meet at least once a year to conduct its business and to elect a chair. Additional meetings must be held as necessary to conduct the business of the board and may be convened at the call of the chair or a majority of the board members. Five members of the board constitute a quorum.
3. DELETED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-1.
§ 15205. Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety
The Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety, as established by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 14, consists of 9 members, of whom 7 are appointed by the Governor. Of the 7 members of the board appointed by the Governor, one must be an owner or lessee of an elevator in the State; one must be a manufacturer of elevators; one must be a manufacturer or installer of accessibility lifts; one must be a licensed elevator mechanic; one must be a ski area operator presently operating tramways in the State; one must be a qualified licensed professional engineer who is familiar with tramway design, inspection and operation; and one must be a public member as defined in Title 5, section 12004-A. The 8th member of the board must be a physically handicapped person appointed by the Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, subject to the approval of the Governor. The 9th member of the board must be a member of the Division of Fire Prevention appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Appointments are for 3-year terms. Appointments of members must comply with Title 10, section 8009. A member may be removed by the Governor for cause.
1. DELETED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-1.
2. MEETINGS; CHAIR; QUORUM. The board shall meet at least once a year to conduct its business and to elect a chair. Additional meetings must be held as necessary to conduct the business of the board and may be convened at the call of the chair or a majority of the board members. Five members of the board constitute a quorum.
3. DELETED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-1.
§ 15206. Powers and duties of board
The board shall administer, coordinate and enforce this chapter and has the following powers and duties in addition to those otherwise set forth in this chapter.
1. RULES. The board shall, in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, adopt rules to implement the purposes of this chapter, including rules for the safe and proper construction, installation, alteration, repair, use, operation and inspection of elevators and tramways in the State. The rules must include standards for the review and audit of inspections performed by licensed private elevator inspectors not employed by the State. The rules must conform as nearly as practicable to the established standards as approved by the American National Standards Institute or its successor or other organization approved by the board. Rules adopted by the board under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Board rules that are standards of the American National Standards Institute or its successor or other organization approved by the board must be obtained from the publisher.
2, 3. DELETED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-2.
§ 15206-A. Denial or refusal to renew license; disciplinary action
The board may deny a license, refuse to renew a license or impose the disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5-A for any of the reasons enumerated in Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5-A, paragraph A.
§ 15207. Repealed. Laws 1999, c. 687, § F-11
§ 15208. Examination of private elevator and lift inspectors; licenses and renewals
The board shall set standards necessary for the licensure and renewal of private elevator and lift inspectors. The board may adopt rules relating to the qualifications for licensure and renewal of private elevator and lift inspectors, including requirements for examination and continuing education. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A. The fee for applications, examinations, licenses and renewals must be established by the director pursuant to section 15225-A and Title 10, section 8003, subsection 2-A, paragraph D. Licenses are issued for a period of one year.
An elevator contractor or a person who is licensed as a private elevator and lift inspector who services an elevator or lift equipment may not inspect that elevator or lift equipment within 12 months from the date of servicing that elevator or lift equipment.
§ 15208-A. Registration of elevator contractors
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or company engaged in the installation, sale, service, maintenance or inspection of elevators in this State shall register with the board annually. The registration must be submitted on a form provided by the board and must include the names and addresses of all licensed private inspectors, licensed mechanics and all helpers employed by the elevator contractor. An elevator contractor shall notify the board of any change in the information required under this section within 30 days of the change. The required fee for registration must be set by the director under section 15225-A.
§ 15209. Examination of private tramway inspectors; licenses
The board shall license an applicant as a private tramway inspector, who may perform the inspections required on tramways, if that applicant:
1. REGISTRATION. Is a professional engineer with a current valid registration in some state. If an applicant for a private tramway inspector’s license demonstrates to the board that the applicant possesses more than 6 years’ experience in the construction, design, inspection and operation of tramways, this registration requirement may be waived by the board;
2. EXPERIENCE. Has considerable experience in the construction, design or maintenance of tramways;
3. EXPERIENCE IN INSPECTING. Has 4 years’ experience inspecting tramways while working for an insurance company, a government agency or a company performing tramway or similar equipment inspections;
4. CAPABILITY AND APTITUDE. Has the physical capability and aptitude to perform the duties of a private tramway inspector in a safe and thorough manner; and
5. EXAMINATION. Has sufficient experience and knowledge to achieve a satisfactory rating in an examination designed to test the applicant’s knowledge of orders and principles of tramway safety. When an applicant for a private tramway inspector’s license demonstrates more than 6 years’ experience in the construction, design, inspection and operation of tramways, the provisions for examination must be waived.
A. The examination for a licensed private tramway inspector must be given by the chief inspector or by 2 or more examiners appointed by the chief inspector. The examination must be written, in whole or in part, and must be confined to questions the answers to which will aid in determining the fitness and competency of the applicant for the intended service and must be of uniform standard throughout the State.
B. Deleted. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-15.
C. A private tramway inspector’s license is issued for a period of one year. The license fee must be set by the director under section 15225-A.
D. Applications for examination and license must be on forms furnished by the board. The examination fee for a private tramway inspector’s license must be set by the director under section 15225-A.
§ 15209-A. Private wire rope inspectors; licenses
The board shall license an applicant as a private wire rope inspector, who may perform the inspections required for each tramway equipped with wire rope, if that applicant has a total of 5 years’ experience in wire rope manufacture, installation, maintenance or inspection. A private wire rope inspector’s license is issued for a period of one year. The license fee must be set by the director under section 15225-A.
§ 15210. Revocation of private tramway or elevator inspector’s license
The board may revoke a private tramway, elevator or lift inspection license or remove inspection endorsements from an elevator or lift mechanic’s license for the following causes:
1. FAILURE TO SUBMIT TRUE REPORTS. For failure to submit true reports concerning the conditions of a tramway or elevator or for conduct determined by the board to be contrary to the best interests of tramway or elevator safety or the board;
2. PHYSICAL INFIRMITIES. For physical infirmities that develop to a point at which it appears that an inspector or mechanic is no longer able to perform the required duties in a thorough and safe manner; or
3. REPEALED. Laws 2007, c. 402, § NN-4.
§ 15211. Notice of accidents
1. REPORTING ACCIDENTS. Each elevator or tramway accident that is caused by equipment failure or results in significant injury to a person or results in substantial damage to equipment must be reported by the owner or lessee to the chief inspector in accordance with the board’s rules.
2. REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE. When an elevator or tramway accident as described in subsection 1 occurs, the inspection certificate for the involved elevator or tramway may be summarily revoked in accordance with and subject to the standards and limitations of Title 5, section 10004, pending decision on any application with the District Court for a further suspension.
§ 15212. Examination of accidents
The chief inspector may examine or cause to be examined the cause, circumstances and origin of all elevator or tramway accidents within the State. Upon request, the chief inspector shall furnish to the proper district attorney the names of witnesses and all information obtained.
§ 15213. Elevator or lift mechanics; license; definition
A person may not service, repair, alter or install any elevator unless that person is licensed as an elevator or lift mechanic under this chapter. Elevator work in industrial plants and manufacturing plants may be performed by plant personnel who are not licensed under this chapter if the work is supervised by the plant engineer and performed in compliance with rules adopted by the board.
The word “elevator,” as used in this chapter, includes all electrical equipment, wiring, steelwork and piping in the elevator machine room, hoistway and pit pertaining to the operation and control of an elevator, except power feeders and required power equipment up to the control panel, heating, lighting, ventilation and drainage equipment.
CASE NOTES
1. Term “industrial plant” would be understood by an ordinary man to apply to any factory, business, or concern that is engaged primarily in the manufacture or assembly of goods or the processing of raw materials or both. Union Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Emerson, 345 A.2d 504, 1975 Me. LEXIS 300 (Me. 1975).
2. By no stretch of the imagination could a bank building, a hotel, a theater, an office building, or a restaurant be considered an industrial plant; while one sometimes speaks of “the movie industry,” the “hotel industry,” or “the banking industry,” that is merely a loose use of language to convey that idea that the particular business is a sizeable one; in spite of that colloquialism, we do not speak of the buildings housing such businesses as “industrial plants.” Union Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Emerson, 345 A.2d 504, 1975 Me. LEXIS 300 (Me. 1975).
3. Insurance company’s home office, which consisted of office facilities at which its employees worked, was not an “industrial plant” as that term is used in former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 439 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15213). Union Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Emerson, 345 A.2d 504, 1975 Me. LEXIS 300 (Me. 1975).
§ 15214. Issuance; qualifications
The board shall issue an elevator or lift mechanic’s license to any applicant who has at least 2 years’ experience in the service, repair, alteration or installation of elevators and lifts while employed by an elevator company, or has equivalent experience as defined by rules of the board, and meets the requirements established pursuant to section 15216.
A licensed elevator or lift mechanic may not have more than 2 helpers under direct supervision. These helpers need not be licensed.
A licensed elevator or lift mechanic shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted by the board. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
§ 15215. Repealed. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-22
§ 15216. Examination of elevator or lift mechanics; applications; licenses; renewals
The board shall set standards necessary for the licensure and renewal of elevator or lift mechanics. The board may adopt rules relating to the qualifications for licensure and renewal of elevator or lift mechanics, including requirements for examination and continuing education. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A. The fee for applications, examinations, licenses and renewals must be established by the director pursuant to section 15225-A and Title 10, section 8003, subsection 2-A, paragraph D. Licenses are issued for a period of one year.
§§ 15216-A, 15216-B. Repealed. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-24
§§ 15216-A, 15216-B. Repealed. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-24
§ 15216-C. License renewal
Any license issued under this chapter is renewable upon satisfaction of the applicable requirements for renewal and payment of the renewal fee as set by the director under section 15225-A. The expiration dates for licenses issued under this chapter may be established at such other times as the commissioner may designate.
A license may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of its expiration upon payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal fee as set under section 15225-A. Any person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date must pay an additional late fee as set under section 15225-A and is subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter, except that the board may in its discretion waive the examination and other requirements. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the board shall waive the examination if a renewal application is made within 90 days after separation from the United States Armed Forces, under conditions other than dishonorable, by a person who failed to renew that person’s license because that person was on active duty in the Armed Forces; except that the waiver of examination may not be granted if the person served a period of more than 4 years in the Armed Forces, unless that person is required by some mandatory provision to serve a longer period and that person submits satisfactory evidence of this mandatory provision to the board.
§ 15217. Skiers’ and tramway passengers’ responsibilities
1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Inherent risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of the sport of skiing, including, but not limited to: existing and changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions, such as ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, slush and granular, corn, crust, cut-up and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions, such as dirt, grass, bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, trees and other natural objects and collisions with or falls resulting from such natural objects; lift towers, lights, signs, posts, fences, mazes or enclosures, hydrants, water or air pipes, snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment, marked or lit trail maintenance vehicles and snowmobiles, and other man-made structures or objects and their components, and collisions with or falls resulting from such man-made objects; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design; snowmaking or snow-grooming operations, including, but not limited to, freestyle terrain, jumps, roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications; the presence of and collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski safely, in control or within their own abilities.
B. “Skiing” means the use of a ski area for snowboarding or downhill, telemark or cross-country skiing; for sliding downhill or jumping on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, sled, tube, snowboard, snowbike or any other device; or for similar uses of any of the facilities of the ski area, including, but not limited to, ski slopes, trails and adjoining terrain.
C. “Skier” means any person at a ski area who participates in any of the activities described in paragraph B.
D. “Competitor” means a skier actually engaged in competition or a special event or training or practicing for competition or a special event on any portion of the ski area made available by the ski area operator.
E. “Freestyle terrain” includes, but is not limited to, terrain parks and terrain park features such as jumps, rails, fun boxes and all other constructed or natural features, halfpipes, quarterpipes and freestyle-bump terrain.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF INHERENT RISKS. Because skiing as a recreational sport and the use of passenger tramways associated with skiing may be hazardous to skiers or passengers, regardless of all feasible safety measures that may be taken, each person who participates in the sport of skiing accepts, as a matter of law, the risks inherent in the sport and, to that extent, may not maintain an action against or recover from the ski area operator, or its agents, representatives or employees, for any losses, injuries, damages or death that result from the inherent risks of skiing.
3. WARNING NOTICE. A ski area operator shall post and maintain at the ski area where the lift tickets and ski school lessons are sold and at the loading point of each passenger tramway signs that contain the following warning notice:
WARNING:
Under Maine law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including, but not limited to: existing and changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions, such as ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, corn, crust and slush and cut-up, granular and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions, such as dirt, grass, bare spots, rocks, stumps, trees, forest growth or other natural objects and collisions with such natural objects; lift towers, lights, signs, posts, fences, mazes or enclosures, hydrants, water or air pipes, snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment, marked or lit trail maintenance vehicles and snowmobiles, and other man-made structures or objects; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including, but not limited to, freestyle terrain, jumps, roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications; the presence of and collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski safely, in control or within their own abilities.
4. DUTY TO SKI WITHIN LIMITS OF ABILITY. A skier has the sole responsibility for knowing the range of the skier’s own ability to negotiate any slope or ski trail, and it is the duty of the skier to ski within the limits of the skier’s own ability, to maintain control of the rate of speed and the course at all times while skiing, to heed all posted and oral warnings and instructions by the ski area operator and to refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of the skier or others.
4-A. COMPETITION AND FREESTYLE TERRAIN. A competitor accepts all inherent risks of skiing and all risks of course, venue and area conditions, including, but not limited to: weather and snow conditions; obstacles; course or feature location, construction and layout; freestyle terrain configuration and condition; collision with other competitors; and other courses, layouts and configurations of the area to be used.
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR COLLISIONS. The responsibility for a collision between any skier while skiing and any person or object is solely that of the skier or skiers involved in the collision and not the responsibility of the ski area operator or its agents, representatives or employees.
6. LIABILITY. A ski area operator or its agents, representatives or employees are not liable for any loss, injury, damage or death resulting from the design of the ski area.
7. PROVISION OF NAME AND CURRENT ADDRESS REQUIRED. A skier involved in, causing or contributing to a collision or other accident at a ski area that results in a fall or injury may not leave the vicinity of the collision or accident before giving that skier’s name and current address to an employee or representative of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision, in which case the person leaving the scene of the collision shall give that skier’s name and current address after securing such aid. A ski area operator, or its agents, representatives or employees, is not liable for a skier’s failure to provide that skier’s name and address or for leaving the vicinity of an accident or collision.
8. ACTIONS NOT PROHIBITED. This section does not prevent the maintenance of an action against a ski area operator for:
A. The negligent operation or maintenance of the ski area; or
B. The negligent design, construction, operation or maintenance of a passenger tramway.
CASE NOTES
1. In a negligence action arising from the collision of two skiers, plaintiff and defendant, the clear intent under Maine law to confine the responsibility for skiing accidents to those skiers involved, coupled with the lack of an agreement of any sort between plaintiff and defendant as to any allocation of responsibility for any such accident, defendant failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he should prevail as a matter of law on his defense of assumption of risk. Bresnahan v. Bowen, 263 F. Supp. 2d 131, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8623 (D. Me. 2003).
2. Proposed instruction by an injury claimant in a skiing accident case that a ski slope operator had a duty to protect the public from a recurring dangerous condition and to protect skiers from unseen hazards by adequately warning of or removing the hazard was not given by the trial court, which was an exercise of its proper discretion because the instruction might have been inconsistent with the intended immunity from liability for inherent risks provided by former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217), and the trial court’s instructions adequately charged the issues raised. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
3. Former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) did not support the application of a primary assumption of the risk defense, and the statute also lacked any language that added proof of the nonexistence of an inherent risk to the elements of a skier’s negligence claim. Former § 488 established a relatively simple and straightforward process, which, first, protected ski area operators from strict liability claims that otherwise might arise from allegations that ski area operation is an inherently dangerous activity, and second, stated that establishing liability required an injured skier to prove that the skier’s damages were caused by the negligent operation or maintenance of the ski area. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
4. In a personal injury action that arose from a skiing accident, the trial court erred in its application of former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) where it required the injured skier to assume a double burden of proof: first, to prove the negative of inherent risk and, second, to prove the affirmative of negligence in order to demonstrate causation. The trial court’s instruction that the skier had the burden to disprove causation by the dangers inherent in the sport of skiing improperly shifted the burden of proof to the skier and constituted prejudicial error. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
5. Under former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217), a defending ski slope operator could rely on an injury claimant’s burden to prove negligence and causation by a preponderance of the evidence and could assert that the injury claimant failed to meet that burden, or if a ski slope operator went beyond relying on the injury claimant’s burden of proof to assert affirmatively that the injury claimant’s damages were caused not by the ski slope operator’s negligence, but by some other causative factor, be that inherent risk, independent intervening event, comparative fault, or any other theory, the burden shifted to the ski slope operator to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the other condition or factor caused the injury claimant’s damages in whole or in part. Whether to assume such a burden or rely on the injury claimant’s burden of proof on causation was a matter of the defending ski slope operator’s choice and trial strategy, but a ski slope operator who chose to affirmatively claim causation by inherent risk had to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
6. Under Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217(1)(A) and (2), a ski area was immune from an injured skier’s tort suit arising out of a collision with a snow-making hydrant; thus, summary judgment for the ski area was proper. The skier’s contention that his claim was cognizable under § 15217(8) if the ski area had been negligent in the operation and maintenance of the snow-making hydrant was without merit because such a suit must not arise out of an inherent risk of skiing, of which a collision with snow-making equipment is such a risk. Green v. Sunday River Skiway Corp., 81 F. Supp. 2d 122, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19890 (D. Me. 1999).
7. Former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) does not specify what risks are inherent in skiing, and in the absence of such statutory specification, whether a skier’s injury results from an inherent risk depends on the factual circumstances of each case. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 1997 ME 180, 698 A.2d 1042, 1997 Me. LEXIS 186 (1997), remanded by 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
8. Whether a ski area is protected from liability by former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) depends on whether the skier’s injuries resulted from an inherent risk; if the skier’s injuries result from a risk that is inherent in the sport, the ski area is not liable for those injuries because the ski area has no duty to protect or warn the skier of such dangers, but if the skier’s injuries are not caused by an inherent risk, the trier of fact must determine whether the injuries are actually caused by the negligent operation or maintenance of the ski area. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 1997 ME 180, 698 A.2d 1042, 1997 Me. LEXIS 186 (1997), remanded by 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
9. Trial court did not err in granting the ski area operator’s motion for summary judgment because no negligence was demonstrated where Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217 did not impose any duty on ski area operators to instruct skiers or snow tubers on safety measures; the only affirmative duty placed on ski area operators was the posting of a warning pursuant to Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217(3), a duty with which the ski area operator complied. Maddocks v. Whitcomb, 2006 ME 47, 896 A.2d 265, 2006 Me. LEXIS 47 (2006).
10. Proposed instruction by an injury claimant in a skiing accident case that a ski slope operator had a duty to protect the public from a recurring dangerous condition and to protect skiers from unseen hazards by adequately warning of or removing the hazard was not given by the trial court, which was an exercise of its proper discretion because the instruction might have been inconsistent with the intended immunity from liability for inherent risks provided by former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217), and the trial court’s instructions adequately charged the issues raised. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
11. Whether a ski area is protected from liability by former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) depends on whether the skier’s injuries resulted from an inherent risk; if the skier’s injuries result from a risk that is inherent in the sport, the ski area is not liable for those injuries because the ski area has no duty to protect or warn the skier of such dangers, but if the skier’s injuries are not caused by an inherent risk, the trier of fact must determine whether the injuries are actually caused by the negligent operation or maintenance of the ski area. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 1997 ME 180, 698 A.2d 1042, 1997 Me. LEXIS 186 (1997), remanded by 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
12. In a personal injury action that arose from a skiing accident, the trial court erred in its application of former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217) where it required the injured skier to assume a double burden of proof: first, to prove the negative of inherent risk and, second, to prove the affirmative of negligence in order to demonstrate causation. The trial court’s instruction that the skier had the burden to disprove causation by the dangers inherent in the sport of skiing improperly shifted the burden of proof to the skier and constituted prejudicial error. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
13. Under former Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 488 (now Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217), a defending ski slope operator could rely on an injury claimant’s burden to prove negligence and causation by a preponderance of the evidence and could assert that the injury claimant failed to meet that burden, or if a ski slope operator went beyond relying on the injury claimant’s burden of proof to assert affirmatively that the injury claimant’s damages were caused not by the ski slope operator’s negligence, but by some other causative factor, be that inherent risk, independent intervening event, comparative fault, or any other theory, the burden shifted to the ski slope operator to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the other condition or factor caused the injury claimant’s damages in whole or in part. Whether to assume such a burden or rely on the injury claimant’s burden of proof on causation was a matter of the defending ski slope operator’s choice and trial strategy, but a ski slope operator who chose to affirmatively claim causation by inherent risk had to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence. Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mt. Corp., 2000 ME 16, 745 A.2d 378, 2000 Me. LEXIS 22 (2000).
14. Trial court did not err in granting the ski area operator’s motion for summary judgment because the injured patron was barred from recovery pursuant to Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217 where the patron’s injury resulted from a collision with a hillock, and collisions with or falls resulting from natural and manmade objects were included within the inherent risks of skiing. Maddocks v. Whitcomb, 2006 ME 47, 896 A.2d 265, 2006 Me. LEXIS 47 (2006).
15. Trial court did not err in granting the ski area operator’s motion for summary judgment because no negligence was demonstrated where Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217 did not impose any duty on ski area operators to instruct skiers or snow tubers on safety measures; the only affirmative duty placed on ski area operators was the posting of a warning pursuant to Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, § 15217(3), a duty with which the ski area operator complied. Maddocks v. Whitcomb, 2006 ME 47, 896 A.2d 265, 2006 Me. LEXIS 47 (2006).
§ 15218. Duties of skiers and tramway passengers; acts prohibited
A person engaged in skiing or riding on a tramway may not:
1. EMBARK OR DISEMBARK FROM TRAMWAY EXCEPT AS DESIGNATED. Embark or disembark from any tramway, except at a designated area;
2. THROW OR EXPEL OBJECTS FROM TRAMWAY. While riding on any tramway or similar device, throw or expel any object or do any act or thing that interferes with the running of that tramway;
3. ENGAGE IN HARMFUL CONDUCT. While riding on any tramway, willfully engage in any type of conduct that will contribute to or cause injury to any person, or to the tramway, or willfully place any object in the uphill ski track that will cause injury to any person or cause damage to or derailment of the tramway;
4. CLOSED TRAILS. Ski or otherwise use a slope or trail that has been designated “closed” by the operator without written permission of the operator or the operator’s designee;
5. REMOVAL OR DESTRUCTION OF SIGNS. Remove, alter, deface or destroy any sign or notice placed in the ski area or on the trail by the operator; or
6. OUT-OF-BOUNDS AREAS. Ski or otherwise use any portion of the ski area that is not a part of a regular network of trails or areas open to the public, including wooded areas between trails, undeveloped areas and all other portions not open to the public, if the operator has properly posted these areas as being closed to public access.
§ 15219. Hang gliding
Hang gliding is also recognized as a hazardous sport. Therefore, a person who is hang gliding is deemed to have assumed the risk and legal responsibility for any injury to the hang glider’s person or property in the same manner and to the same extent as skiers under this chapter.
§ 15220. Penalties
1. VERBAL WARNING; FORFEITURE OF LIFT TICKET. Any owner, manager or employee of any ski area, who finds a person in violation of section 15218, may first issue a verbal warning to that individual or suspend the individual’s lift use privileges. Any person who fails to heed the warning issued by the ski area owner, manager or employee shall forfeit the ski lift ticket and ski lift use privileges and must be refused issuance of another lift ticket and is liable for any damages to the tramway and its incidental equipment that have been caused by the individual’s misconduct.
2. COST OF RESCUE OPERATION. When it is necessary to commence a rescue operation as a result of a violation of section 15218, subsection 6, any person who has committed the violation is liable for the cost of that rescue operation.
§ 15221. Inspection of elevators and tramways
1. FEES; INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. Each elevator or tramway proposed to be used within this State must be thoroughly inspected by either the chief inspector, a deputy inspector or a licensed private elevator or tramway inspector and, if found to conform to the rules of the board, the board shall issue to the owner an inspection certificate. Fees for inspection and certification of elevators and tramways must be set by the director under section 15225-A and must be paid by the owner of the elevator or tramway. The certificate must specify the maximum load to which the elevator or tramway may be subjected, the date of its issuance and the date of its expiration. The elevator certificate must be posted in the elevator and the tramway certificate at a conspicuous place in the machine area.
2. SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS. The owner of an elevator shall have the elevator inspected annually by a licensed private elevator inspector, the chief inspector or a deputy inspector. The owner of a tramway shall have the tramway inspected by a licensed private tramway inspector, the chief inspector or a deputy inspector twice each year. One tramway inspection must be made when weather conditions permit a complete inspection of all stationary and moving parts. The 2nd tramway inspection must be made while the tramway is in operation.
3. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATE; CONDEMNATION CARD. When, in the inspector’s opinion, the elevator or tramway can not continue to be operated without menace to the public safety, the chief inspector or deputy inspector may temporarily suspend an inspection certificate in accordance with Title 5, section 10004 and post or direct the posting of a red card of condemnation at every entrance to the elevator or tramway. The condemnation card is a warning to the public and must be of such type and dimensions as the board determines. The suspension continues, pending decision on any application with the District Court for a further suspension. The condemnation card may be removed only by the inspector posting it or by the chief inspector.
4. SPECIAL CERTIFICATE; SPECIAL CONDITIONS. When, upon inspection, an elevator or tramway is found by the inspector to be in reasonably safe condition but not in full compliance with the rules of the board, the inspector shall certify to the chief inspector the inspector’s findings and the chief inspector may issue a special certificate, to be posted as required in this section. This certificate must set forth any special conditions under which the elevator or tramway may be operated.
5. INSPECTION REPORTS. Licensed private tramway and elevator inspectors shall submit inspection reports to the owner on a form provided by the board within 15 working days from the date of the inspection.
6. FOLLOW-UP INSPECTIONS. All follow-up inspections necessary to enforce compliance must be performed by either the chief inspector or a deputy inspector. A fee set by the director under section 15225-A must be charged for those follow-up inspections.
7. CERTIFICATE NOT TRANSFERABLE. An inspection certificate may not be transferred to any other person, firm, corporation or association. If ownership of an elevator or tramway is transferred, the new owner must apply for a new inspection certificate as required by section 15229, subsection 7.
§ 15222. Condemned elevators and tramways not to be operated
An elevator or tramway that has been condemned under section 15221 may not be operated in this State. Any person who owns or operates or causes to be operated for other than repair or corrective purposes an elevator or tramway in violation of this section commits a Class E crime and must be punished by a fine of not more than $ 500 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or by both.
§ 15223. Criminal operation of elevator or tramway
1. PROHIBITION. An owner of an elevator or tramway is guilty of criminal operation of an elevator or tramway if that owner operates that elevator or tramway without a current and valid inspection certificate.
2. STRICT LIABILITY. Criminal operation of an elevator or tramway is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17-A, section 34, subsection 4-A.
3. SPECIFIC NUMBER OF DAYS OF CRIMINAL OPERATION. Each day of criminal operation does not constitute a separate crime.
4. CLASS OF CRIME; ENHANCED FINE. Criminal operation of an elevator or tramway is a Class E crime. However, notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1301, subsection 1-A, paragraph E or Title 17-A, section 1301, subsection 3, paragraph E, the court may impose an enhanced fine. The fine amount above that authorized under Title 17-A, section 1301 is based solely on the number of days of criminal operation pleaded and proved by the State. For each day of criminal operation pleaded and proved, the court may increase the fine amount by up to $ 100 for each of those days.
5. IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE WITHOUT ENHANCED FINE. Nothing in subsection 3 or 4 may be construed to restrict a court, in imposing any authorized sentencing alternative, including a fine in an amount authorized under Title 17-A, section 1301, subsection 1-A, paragraph E or Title 17-A, section 1301, subsection 3, paragraph E, from considering the number of days of illegal operation, along with any other relevant sentencing factor, which need not be pleaded or proved by the State.
§ 15224. Installation of new elevators and tramways; fees
Detailed plans or specifications of each new or altered elevator or tramway must be submitted to and approved by the chief inspector before the construction may be started. Fees for examination of the plans or specifications must be set by the director under section 15225-A.
§ 15225. Repealed. Laws 2001, c. 573, § B-29
§ 15225-A. Fees
The Director of the Office of Licensing and Registration within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation may establish by rule fees for purposes authorized under this chapter in amounts that are reasonable and necessary for their respective purposes, except that the fee for any one purpose other than permit and inspection fees may not exceed $ 500. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
§ 15226. Reports by inspectors
A deputy inspector or licensed private inspector shall make a full report to the chief inspector, giving all data required by the rules adopted by the board and shall report to the chief inspector and to the owner all defects found and all noncompliances with the rules. When any serious infraction of the rules is found by a deputy inspector or licensed private inspector and that infraction is, in the opinion of the inspector, dangerous to life, limb or property, the inspector shall report that infraction immediately to the chief inspector.
§ 15227. Powers of chief inspector
The board is authorized to investigate all elevator and tramway accidents that result in injury to a person or in damage to the installation.
The chief inspector is authorized:
1. ENFORCE LAWS AND RULES. To enforce the laws of the State governing the use of elevators and tramways and to enforce adopted rules of the board;
2. FREE ACCESS TO PREMISES OR LOCATION. To provide free access for deputy inspectors, including the chief inspector, at all reasonable times to any premises in the State where an elevator or tramway is installed or is under construction for the purpose of ascertaining whether that elevator or tramway is installed, operated, repaired or constructed in accordance with this chapter;
3. SUPERVISE INSPECTORS. To allocate and supervise the work of deputy inspectors;
4. CERTIFICATES. To issue and temporarily suspend certificates allowing elevators and tramways to be operated pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375;
5. EXAMINATIONS. To hold examinations and establish the fitness of applicants to become licensed private elevator or tramway inspectors or elevator mechanics, and to issue certificates or licenses to those persons who have successfully passed required examinations and been approved by the board as licensed private elevator or tramway inspectors or elevator mechanics; and
6. TAKE UNINSPECTED OR UNREPAIRED ELEVATORS AND TRAMWAYS OUT OF SERVICE. To take an elevator or tramway out of service in accordance with Title 5, section 10004 if an inspection report has not been submitted to the board within 60 days of the expiration of the most recent certificate or if the owner has failed to make repairs as required by the board. This power is in addition to the chief inspector’s powers under section 15221, subsection 3.
§ 15228. Elevator size
1. REQUIREMENTS. Notwithstanding section 15206, whenever a passenger elevator is installed in a building being newly constructed or in a new addition that extends beyond the exterior walls of an existing building, the passenger elevator must reach all levels within the building and be of sufficient size to allow the transport of a person on an ambulance stretcher in the fully supine position, without having to raise, lower or bend the stretcher in any way. This requirement applies to all plans approved by the board after January 1, 2002. The board shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
2. APPLICABILITY. This section applies only to multi-story buildings that house private entities or nonprofit organizations that serve the public or are places of public accommodation. Notwithstanding Title 5, section 4553, subsection 8, places of public accommodation include restaurants, cafes, hotels, inns, banks, theaters, motion picture houses, bars, taverns, night clubs, country clubs, convention centers, retail stores, shopping centers, hospitals, private schools, day care centers, senior citizen centers, doctor offices, professional offices, manufacturing facilities, apartment buildings, condominiums, state facilities or any private establishment that in fact caters to, or offers its goods, facilities or services to, or solicits or accepts patronage from, the general public. This section does not apply to any building owned by a local unit of government.
§ 15229. Duties of owners of elevators or tramways
1. OWNER RESPONSIBILITY. The responsibility for design, construction, maintenance and inspection of an elevator or tramway rests with the person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or company that owns the elevator or tramway.
2. OBTAIN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. The owner of an elevator or tramway shall submit an annual application for an annual inspection certificate together with the inspection report within 30 business days of the inspection and prior to the expiration of the current certificate. The application must be on a form provided by the board and must be accompanied by the required fee set by the director under section 15225-A. A late fee set by the director under section 15225-A may be assessed for failure to submit the application and inspection report in a timely manner.
3. FAILURE TO QUALIFY FOR INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. The owner of an elevator or tramway that does not qualify for an inspection certificate shall take the elevator or tramway out of operation until the required repairs have been made and a new inspection certificate has been issued.
4. NOTIFY BOARD WHEN REQUIRED REPAIRS MADE. The owner of an elevator or tramway shall notify the board when required repairs have been made and provide the board with satisfactory evidence of completion.
5. ELEVATOR OR TRAMWAY DECLARED IDLE OR PLACED OUT OF SERVICE. The owner of an elevator or tramway that has been declare d idle or placed out of service in accordance with rules adopted by the board shall notify the board within 30 days of declaring the elevator or tramway idle.
6. REMOVAL. The owner of an elevator or tramway shall notify the board within 30 days of the removal of the elevator or tramway.
7. CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. The owner of record of an elevator or tramway shall notify the board of a transfer of ownership of an elevator within 30 days of such transfer. The new owner shall apply, on a form provided by the board, for a new inspection certificate that will be issued without the need for an additional inspection for the remainder of the term of the current certificate. A fee for issuance of a new inspection certificate may be set by the director under section 15225-A.
8. FAILURE TO COMPLY. In addition to the remedies available under this chapter, an owner who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted by the board is subject to the provisions of Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5 whether or not the elevator or tramway has a current inspection certificate, except that, notwithstanding Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5, paragraph A-1, subparagraph 3, a civil penalty of up to $ 3,000 may be imposed for each violation.
Massachusetts Ski Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Massachusetts, Ski Area, Skiing / Snow Boarding | Tags: Alpine skiing, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, ski area, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Skier, skiing, Snowboarder, winter sports 1 CommentMassachusetts Ski Safety Act
ANNOTATED LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS
PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE XX PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER
Chapter 143 Inspection and Regulation of, and Licenses for, Buildings, Elevators and Cinematographs
GO TO MASSACHUSETTS CODE ARCHIVE DIRECTORY
ALM GL ch. 143, § 71I (2012)
§ 71I. Recreational Tramways — Definitions.
As used in sections seventy-one H to seventy-one S, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
“Recreational tramway”, a device used to transport passengers uphill on skis, or in cars on tracks or suspended in the air, by the use of steel cables, chains or belts or by ropes, and usually supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans. The term recreational tramway shall include the following:
(1) Two-car aerial passenger tramway, a device used to transport passengers in two open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices.
(2) Multi-car aerial passenger tramway, a device used to transport passengers in several open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices.
(3) Skimobile, a device in which a passenger car running on steel or wooden tracks is attached to and pulled by a steel cable, or similar devices.
(4) Chair lift, a type of transportation on which passengers are carried on chairs suspended in the air and attached to a moving cable, chain or link belt supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans, or similar devices.
(5) J bar, T bar or platter pull, so-called, and similar types of devices, means of transportation which pull skiers riding on skis by means of an attachment to a main overhead cable supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans.
(6) Rope tow, a type of transportation which pulls the skiers riding on skis as the skiers grasp the rope manually, or similar devices.
“Operator”, a person, including the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, who owns or controls the operation of a recreational tramway.
“Board”, the recreational tramway board.
“Skier”, any person utilizing the ski area under control of a ski area operator for the purpose of skiing, whether or not that person is a passenger on a recreational tramway, including riders during a non-skiing season.
“Ski area”, all of the slopes and trails under the control of the ski area operator, including cross-country ski areas, slopes and trails, and any recreational tramway in operation on any such slopes or trails administered or operated as a single enterprise but shall not include base lodges, motor vehicle parking lots and other portions of ski areas used by skiers when not actually engaged in the sport of skiing.
“Ski area operator”, the owner or operator of a ski area, including an agency of the commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, or the employees, agents, officers or delegated representatives of such owner or operator, including the owner or operator of a cross-country ski area, slope or trail, and of any recreational tramway in operation on any such slope or trail administered or operated as a single enterprise.
“Ski slope or trail”, an area designed by the person or organization having operational responsibility for the ski area as herein defined, including a cross-country ski area, for use by the public in furtherance of the sport of skiing, meaning such designation as is set forth on a trail map or as otherwise designated by a sign indicating to the skiing public the intent that the area be used by skiers for purpose of participating in the sport.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1978, 455, §§ 1, 2; 1996, 58, § 28; 1996, 151, § 528.
NOTES: Editorial Note
The 1978 amendment, in the first sentence, extended the applicability of definitions through § 71S, and added the definitions of “Skier,” “Ski area,” “Ski area operator,” and “Ski slope or trail.”
The first 1996 amendment, (ch 58), effective July 1, 1996, repealed this section.
The second 1996 amendment, (ch 151), effective July 1, 1996, repealed the provisions of Acts 1996, Ch. 58, § 28, that repealed this section, thereby restoring this section.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board; adopting administrative regulations. 526 CMR 2.01 et seq.
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing. 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Law Reviews
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
CASE NOTES
Language of ALM GL c 143, § 71I limits the definition of skier to any person utilizing a ski area for the purpose of skiing, and shows that the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act (Act), ALM GL c 143, §§ 71N, 71O, was not intended to include a non-skiing sport like snow tubing; the Act did not relieve a ski operator from a claim for injuries from a snow tubing accident, and the ski operator’s summary judgment motion was denied. Burden v. Amesbury Sports Park, Inc. (2003, Super Ct) 16 Mass L Rep 744, 2003 Mass Super LEXIS 276.
Snowboarders falls within the definition of skiers. Rich v. Tamarack Ski Corp. (2008) 24 Mass L Rep 448, 2008 Mass. Super. LEXIS 324.
Because snowboarders were included within the definition of “skiers” found in ALM GL c 143, § 71I, under ALM GL c 143, § 71O, a ski area operator and an instructor were not liable to a snowboarder who was injured when she ran into the instructor who was standing at the side of a ski hill. Rich v. Tamarack Ski Corp. (2008) 24 Mass L Rep 448, 2008 Mass. Super. LEXIS 324.
Because a racing skier’s collision with a lift tower stanchion was off the race course and off the trail–as defined in ALM GL c 143, § 71I– ALM GL c 143, § 71O, placed the duty to avoid collisions on the skier alone. Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52204.
§ 71J. Recreational Tramways — Board to Adopt Rules and Regulations for Construction, Maintenance; Licensing of Inspectors.
After a hearing, the board shall adopt, and may from time to time amend or revoke, rules and regulations for the construction, operation and maintenance of recreational tramways and for the inspection, licensing and certification of inspectors thereof. The board shall in like manner adopt, and from time to time amend or revoke, rules and regulations for a system of signs to be used by a ski area operator in order to promote the safety of skiers. Such system shall incorporate standards in general use in the skiing industry to evaluate the difficulty of slopes and trails and to adequately alert skiers to the known danger of any slope or trail or the ski area. The attorney general shall assist the board in framing such rules and regulations.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1978, 455, § 3; 1996, 58, § 28; 1996, 151, § 528.
NOTES: Editorial Note
The 1978 amendment, added the second and third sentences, relative to sign systems.
The first 1996 amendment, (ch 58), effective July 1, 1996, repealed this section.
The second 1996 amendment, (ch 151), effective July 1, 1996, repealed the provisions of Acts 1996, Ch. 58, § 28, that repealed this section, thereby restoring this section.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board. 526 CMR 1.01 through 3.04; , 4.00 (1.1-1.8), 5.00 (2.1-2.6), 6.00 (3.1-3.6), 7.00 (4.1, 4.2), 8.01, 8.02.
Law Review References
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
§ 71K. Recreational Tramways — to Be Licensed.
No recreational tramway shall be operated unless a license for such operation has been issued by the board. Such license shall be issued for a term of not longer than one year, upon application therefor on a form furnished by the board, and upon a determination by the board that the recreational tramway conforms to the rules and regulations of the board. In making such determination the board may rely upon the report of an inspector certified by it in accordance with its rules and regulations.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1996, 58, § 28; 1996, 151, § 528.
NOTES: Editorial Note
The first 1996 amendment, (ch 58), effective July 1, 1996, repealed this section.
The second 1996 amendment, (ch 151), effective July 1, 1996, repealed the provisions of Acts 1996, Ch. 58, § 28, that repealed this section, thereby restoring this section.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board; adopting administrative regulations. 526 CMR 2.01 et seq.
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing. 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Jurisprudence
51 Am Jur 2d, Licenses and Permits §§ 10, 11, 64-68, 74, 76.
Law Review References
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
§ 71M. Recreational Tramways — Appeals to Superior Court from Orders of Board.
Any operator who is aggrieved by any order of the board may appeal therefrom to the superior court. No such appeal shall suspend the operation of the order made by the board; provided that the superior court may suspend the order of the board pending the determination of such appeal whenever, in the opinion of the court, justice may require such suspension. The superior court shall hear such appeal at the earliest convenient day and shall enter such decree as justice may require.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1996, 58, § 28; 1996, 151, § 528.
NOTES: Editorial Note
The first 1996 amendment, (ch 58), effective July 1, 1996, repealed this section.
The second 1996 amendment, (ch 151), effective July 1, 1996, repealed the provisions of Acts 1996, Ch. 58, § 28, that repealed this section, thereby restoring this section.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board; adopting administrative regulations. 526 CMR 2.01 et seq.
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing. 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Jurisprudence
18C Am Jur Pl & Pr Forms (Rev), Occupations, Trades, and Professions, Forms 20, 21.
Law Review References
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
§ 71N. Recreational Tramways — Posting of Signs and Notices by Ski Area Operator.
A ski area operator shall:
(1) whenever maintenance or snow-making equipment is being employed on any ski slope or trail open to the public, conspicuously place or cause to be placed, notice at or near the top of any ski slope or trail being maintained that such equipment is being so employed, and shall conspicuously indicate the location of any such equipment in a manner to afford skiers reasonable notice of the proximity of such equipment;
(2) mark and identify all trail maintenance and emergency vehicles, including snowmobiles, and furnish such vehicles with flashing or rotating lights, which shall be operated during the time that said vehicles are in operation within the ski area;
(3) with respect to the emergency use of vehicles within the ski area, including but not limited to uses for purposes of removing injured or stranded skiers, or performing emergency maintenance or repair work to slopes, trails or tramway equipment, not be required to post such signs as is required by clause (1), but shall be required to maintain such lighting equipment required by clause (2);
(4) mark the location of any hydrants used in snow-making operations and located within or upon a slope or trail;
(5) conspicuously place within the ski area, in such form, size and location as the board may require, and on the back of any lift ticket issued notice, in plain language, of the statute of limitations and notice period established in section seventy-one P; and
(6) maintain a sign system on all buildings, recreational tramways, ski trails and slopes in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the board and shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of ski areas under its control in a reasonably safe condition or manner; provided, however, that ski area operators shall not be liable for damages to persons or property, while skiing, which arise out of the risks inherent in the sport of skiing.
HISTORY: 1978, 455, § 4; 1996, 58, § 28; 1996, 151, § 528.
NOTES: Editorial Note
Acts 1978, Ch. 455, § 4, replaced former §§ 71N and 71O with sections 71N through 71S; the former provisions of §§ 71N and 71O are now contained in §§ 71R and 71S, respectively. Section 5 of the inserting act provides as follows:
Section 5. The provisions of clause (5) of section seventy-one N of chapter one hundred and forty-three of the General Laws, inserted by section three of this act, relative to the printing on lift tickets of a notice of the statute of limitations, shall not apply to a ski area operator who has a supply of such tickets already printed for the nineteen hundred and seventy-eight and nineteen hundred and seventy-nine skiing season, insofar as he may exhaust such supply. Such ski area operator shall, however, comply with said notice requirements beginning with the nineteen hundred and seventy-nine and nineteen hundred and eighty skiing season.
The first 1996 amendment, (ch 58), effective July 1, 1996, repealed this section.
The second 1996 amendment, (ch 151), effective July 1, 1996, repealed the provisions of Acts 1996, Ch. 58, § 28, that repealed this section, thereby restoring this section.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board; adopting administrative regulations. 526 CMR 2.01 et seq.
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing. 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Jurisprudence
57A Am Jur 2d, Negligence § 32.
15 Am Jur Trials 147, Skiing Accident Litigation.
20 Am Jur Proof of Facts 2d 1, Liability for Skiing Accident.
Law Reviews
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
CASE NOTES
One year limitation period in GL c 143 § 71P is not applicable only to action for violation of duty prescribed by GL c 143 § 71N but applies to all personal injury actions brought by skiers against ski area operator arising out of skiing injuries. Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (1987) 401 Mass 81, 514 NE2d 850, 1987 Mass LEXIS 1497.
ALM GL c 143 § 71O does not exempt ski area operator from liability for injuries caused by its agent. Tilley v. Brodie Mountain Ski Area, Inc. (1992) 412 Mass 1009, 591 NE2d 202, 1992 Mass LEXIS 273.
Summary judgment in favor of ski area operator was appropriate where plaintiff was skier, who slipped while approaching ski lift, since ALM GL c 143 § 71N specifically excludes liability for injury to skier arising out of risks inherent in sport of skiing, and a skier accepts, as a matter of law, risk that he or she might be injured in manner that falls within statutorily specified risks as well as risks contemplated by statutory scheme. Fetzner v. Jiminy Peak, The Mountain Resort (1995) 1995 Mass App Div 55, 1995 Mass App Div LEXIS 30.
Ski area operator was not liable for injuries sustained by skier who, after skiing over clumps of ice on trail, lost control and skied off trail edge into woods, since injuries arose out of risks inherent in skiing, and skier failed to control speed and direction. Spinale v. Pam F., Inc. (1995) 1995 Mass App Div 140, 1995 Mass App Div LEXIS 66.
Massachusetts Ski Safety Act (Act), ALM GL c 143, §§ 71N, 71O, was not intended to include a non-skiing sport like snow tubing; the Act did not relieve a ski operator from a claim for injuries from a snow tubing accident, and the ski operator’s summary judgment motion was denied. Burden v. Amesbury Sports Park, Inc. (2003, Super Ct) 16 Mass L Rep 744, 2003 Mass Super LEXIS 276.
Although a ski area operator had a general duty to operate the ski areas under its control in a reasonably safe manner, pursuant to ALM GL c 143, § 71N(6), because a racing skier’s collision with a lift tower stanchion was off the race course and off the trail, ALM GL c 143, § 71O, placed the duty to avoid collisions on the skier alone. Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52204.
In a negligence action brought by an inexperienced skier who was seriously injured when she struck a snow gun while skiing on a low intermediate trail, even though the ski area operator’s trail markings did not violate the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, ALM GL c 143, § 71N, or contribute to the accident and even though the skier had an obligation under ALM GL c 143, § 71O to avoid collisions with an object so long as the object was not improperly marked, the ski area operator was not entitled to summary judgment on all the negligence claims because there were factual disputes remaining as to whether the snow gun was adequately marked and padded. Peresypa v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84417.
Reasonable jury could find that ski area operator breached its general duty under ALM GL c 143 § 71N(6), even though statute provides exception protecting operators from “damages…which arise out of risks inherent in sport of skiing,” where examples of inherent risks enumerated by statute include “variations in terrain, surface or subsurface snow, ice conditions or bare spots,” because presence of snow gun in middle of ski trail does not appear to fall into category of inherent risk. Eipp v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (2001) 154 F Supp 2d 110, 2001 US Dist LEXIS 11229.
§ 71O. Recreational Tramways — Conduct, Responsibilities, and Duties of Skiers.
No skier shall embark or disembark upon a recreational tramway except at a designated location and during designated hours of operation, throw or expel any object from any recreational tramway while riding thereon, act in any manner while riding on a recreational tramway that may interfere with its proper or safe operation, engage in any type of conduct which may injure any person, or place any object in the uphill ski track which may cause another to fall while traveling uphill on a ski lift, or cross the uphill track of a recreational tramway except at designated locations. A skier shall maintain control of his speed and course at all times, and shall stay clear of any snow-grooming equipment, any vehicle, towers, poles, or other equipment.
A skier who boards a recreational tramway shall be presumed to have sufficient abilities to use the same, and shall follow any written or oral instruction given regarding its use and no skier shall embark on a recreational tramway without authority of the operator. A skier skiing down hill shall have the duty to avoid any collision with any other skier, person or object on the hill below him, and, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the responsibility for collisions by any skier with any other skier or person shall be solely that of the skier or person involved and not that of the operator, and the responsibility for the collision with any obstruction, man-made or otherwise, shall be solely that of the skier and not that of the operator, provided that such obstruction is properly marked pursuant to the regulations promulgated by the board. No skier shall ski on any ski slope or trail or portion thereof which has been designated closed, nor ski on other than an identified trail, slope or ski area. Any person skiing on other than an open slope or trail within the ski area shall be responsible for any injuries resulting from his action. A skier shall be presumed to know the range of his own ability to ski on any slope, trail or area. A skier shall be presumed to know of the existence of certain unavoidable risks inherent in the sport of skiing, which shall include, but not be limited to, variations in terrain, surface or subsurface snow, ice conditions or bare spots, and shall assume the risk of injury or loss caused by such inherent risks. A skier shall, prior to his entrance onto the slope or trail, other than one designated for cross-country skiing, or embarking on any recreational tramway, have attached on his skis, a strap or other device for the purpose of restraining or preventing a runaway ski. A ski area operator who finds a person in violation of this section, may issue an oral warning to that individual. A person who fails to heed the warning issued by such ski area operator shall forfeit his recreational tramway ticket and recreational tramway use privileges and may be refused issuance of another such ticket to the recreational tramway.
HISTORY: 1978, 455, § 4; 1987, 287.
NOTES: Editorial Note
Acts 1978, Ch. 455, § 4, replaced former §§ 71N and 71Owith §§ 71N through 71S; the former provisions of §§ 71N and 71Oare now contained in §§ 71R and 71S, respectively.
The 1987 amendment, added the fifth and sixth sentences of the second paragraph, relating to the areas of knowledge presumed to be possessed by skiers.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Recreational tramway board; adopting administrative regulations, 526 CMR 2.01 et seq.
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing, 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Jurisprudence
57A Am Jur 2d, Negligence §§ 258 et seq., 272 et seq.
15 Am Jur Trials 147, Skiing Accident Litigation.
Law Reviews
Dahlstrom, From Recreational Skiing to Criminally Negligent Homicide: A Comparison of United States’ Ski Laws in the Wake of People v. Hall.30 NE J on Crim & Civ Con 209 (Summer, 2004)
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
CASE NOTES
ALM GL c 71O, insulating ski area operator from liability for collisions between skiers, did not apply where plaintiff/skier was struck from behind by ski patrol member. Tilley v. Brodie Mountain Ski Area, Inc. (1992) 412 Mass 1009, 591 NE2d 202, 1992 Mass LEXIS 273.
ALM GL c 143 § 71O does not exempt ski area operator from liability for injuries caused by its agent. Tilley v. Brodie Mountain Ski Area, Inc. (1992) 412 Mass 1009, 591 NE2d 202, 1992 Mass LEXIS 273.
Summary judgment in favor of ski area operator was appropriate where plaintiff was skier, who slipped while approaching ski lift, since ALM GL c 143 § 71N specifically excludes liability for injury to skier arising out of risks inherent in sport of skiing, and a skier accepts, as a matter of law, risk that he or she might be injured in manner that falls within statutorily specified risks as well as risks contemplated by statutory scheme. Fetzner v. Jiminy Peak, The Mountain Resort (1995) 1995 Mass App Div 55, 1995 Mass App Div LEXIS 30.
Ski area operator was not liable for injuries sustained by skier who, after skiing over clumps of ice on trail, lost control and skied off trail edge into woods, since injuries arose out of risks inherent in skiing, and skier failed to control speed and direction. Spinale v. Pam F., Inc. (1995) 1995 Mass App Div 140, 1995 Mass App Div LEXIS 66.
Massachusetts Ski Safety Act (Act), ALM GL c 143, §§ 71N, 71O, was not intended to include a non-skiing sport like snow tubing; the Act did not relieve a ski operator from a claim for injuries from a snow tubing accident, and the ski operator’s summary judgment motion was denied. Burden v. Amesbury Sports Park, Inc. (2003, Super Ct) 16 Mass L Rep 744, 2003 Mass Super LEXIS 276.
Because snowboarders were included within the definition of “skiers” found in ALM GL c 143, § 71I, under ALM GL c 143, § 71O, a ski area operator and an instructor were not liable to a snowboarder who was injured when she ran into the instructor who was standing at the side of a ski hill. Rich v. Tamarack Ski Corp. (2008) 24 Mass L Rep 448, 2008 Mass. Super. LEXIS 324.
Although a ski area operator had a general duty to operate the ski areas under its control in a reasonably safe manner, pursuant to ALM GL c 143, § 71N(6), because a racing skier’s collision with a lift tower stanchion was off the race course and off the trail, ALM GL c 143, § 71O, placed the duty to avoid collisions on the skier alone. Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52204.
In applying ALM GL c 143, § 71O, while it may be unreasonable to presume that a child learning to ski knows the range of his own ability to ski on any slope, trail or area, a similar presumption cannot be applied to collegiate competitive skiers. Brush v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52204.
In a negligence action brought by an inexperienced skier who was seriously injured when she struck a snow gun while skiing on a low intermediate trail, even though the ski area operator’s trail markings did not violate the Massachusetts Ski Safety Act, ALM GL c 143, § 71N, or contribute to the accident and even though the skier had an obligation under ALM GL c 143, § 71O to avoid collisions with an object so long as the object was not improperly marked, the ski area operator was not entitled to summary judgment on all the negligence claims because there were factual disputes remaining as to whether the snow gun was adequately marked and padded. Peresypa v. Jiminy Peak Mt. Resort, Inc. (2009) 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84417.
§ 71P. Recreational Tramways — Actions Against Ski Area Operators.
For the purpose of sections seventy-one I to seventy-one R, inclusive, in any action brought against a ski area operator based on negligence, it shall be evidence of due care where the conduct of an operator has conformed with the provisions of this chapter or rules or regulations of the board made pursuant to section seventy-one J.
No action shall be maintained against a ski area operator for injury to a skier unless as a condition precedent thereof the person so injured shall, within ninety days of the incident, give to such ski area operator notice, by registered mail, of the name and address of the person injured, the time, place and cause of the injury. Failure to give the foregoing notice shall bar recovery, unless the court finds under the circumstances of the particular case that such ski area operator had actual knowledge of said injury or had reasonable opportunity to learn of said injury within said ninety-day period, or was otherwise not substantially prejudiced by reason of not having been given actual written notice of said injury within said period. In a case where lack of written notice, actual knowledge, or a reasonable opportunity to obtain knowledge of any injury within said ninety-day period is alleged by such ski area operator, the burden of proving substantial prejudice shall be on the operator.
An action to recover for such injury shall be brought within one year of the date of such injury.
HISTORY: 1978, 455, § 4.
NOTES: Cross References
Limitation of actions, generally, ALM GL c 260 § 1 et seq.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing, 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Jurisprudence
57A Am Jur 2d, Negligence § 9.
58 Am Jur 2d, Notice §§ 1-4, 27.
15 Am Jur Trials 177, Skiing Accident Litigation.
20 Am Jur Proof of Facts 2d 1, Liability for Skiing Accident.
46 Am Jur Proof of Facts 3d 1, Liability of Skier for Collision with Another Skier.
Law Review References
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
CASE NOTES
Word “injury” as used in section does not include death. Grass v. Catamount Dev. Corp. (1983) 390 Mass 551, 457 NE2d 627, 1983 Mass LEXIS 1783.
Legislature did not intend to give ski industry same degree of protection from wrongful death claims as from claims of personal injury. Grass v. Catamount Dev. Corp. (1983) 390 Mass 551, 457 NE2d 627, 1983 Mass LEXIS 1783.
Statute of limitations for action for wrongful death arising out of injury to skier and brought against operator of ski area is GL c 229 § 2, the wrongful death statute, not GL c 143 § 71P. Grass v. Catamount Dev. Corp. (1983) 390 Mass 551, 457 NE2d 627, 1983 Mass LEXIS 1783.
Action by injured skier against ski area operator is governed by one-year limitations of action provision of GL c 143 § 71P, where plaintiff’s theories of recovery were negligence and breach of warranty as well as breach of contract, in renting defective ski equipment. Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (1987) 401 Mass 81, 514 NE2d 850, 1987 Mass LEXIS 1497.
One-year limitation period in GL c 143 § 71P is not applicable only to action for violation of duty prescribed by GL c 143 § 71N but applies to all personal injury actions brought by skiers against ski area operator arising out of skiing injuries. Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (1987) 401 Mass 81, 514 NE2d 850, 1987 Mass LEXIS 1497.
Legislature concluded that short period for commencement of action against ski area operator was in public interest, because of threat to economic stability of owners and operators of ski areas from personal injury claims. Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (1987) 401 Mass 81, 514 NE2d 850, 1987 Mass LEXIS 1497.
One-year limitation period applies to actions brought against ski area operators seeking compensation for injuries sustained while skiing. Atkins v. Jiminy Peak, Inc. (1987) 401 Mass 81, 514 NE2d 850, 1987 Mass LEXIS 1497.
Personal injury action against ski area operators is barred by ALM GL c 143 § 71P, where Massachusetts resident on March 1, 1991 sued New Hampshire ski resort corporation in Massachusetts federal district court for injury suffered at resort on March 2, 1989, because Massachusetts conflict rules call for application of one-year Massachusetts limitations period for actions against ski area operators, instead of New Hampshire’s 2-year statute of limitations. Tidgewell v. Loon Mountain Recreation Corp. (1993, DC Mass) 820 F Supp 630, 1993 US Dist LEXIS 6457.
§ 71Q. Recreational Tramways — Leaving Scene of Skiing Accident.
Any person who is knowingly involved in a skiing accident and who departs from the scene of such accident without leaving personal identification or otherwise clearly identifying himself and obtaining assistance knowing that any other person involved in the accident is in need of medical or other assistance shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars.
HISTORY: 1978, 455, § 4.
NOTES: Cross References
Fine and or imprisonment for leaving scene of accident involving automobiles, ALM GL c 90 § 24.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing, 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Law Review References
Centner, Equestrian Immunity and Sport Responsibility Statutes: Altering Obligations and Placing Them on Participants. 13 Vill. Sports & Ent. L.J. 37 (2006).
§ 71R. Recreational Tramways — Penalties for Violations of §§ 71K and 71N or of Regulations Promulgated Under § 71J.
Whoever violates any provision of section 71K, 71N, or any rule or regulation made under the provisions of section 71J, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars; provided, however, that any person who operates a recreational tramway, after the license therefor has been suspended or revoked, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars for each day of such operation.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1978, 455, § 4.
NOTES: Editorial Note
This section incorporates the provisions of former § 71N, 25 renumbered and amended by the 1978 act, to include the reference to violations of new § 71N and to increase the fine from $100 to $200 for violations other than operating on a suspended or revoked license, for which the daily fine was increased from $50 to $100.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing, 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Law Review References
§ 71S. Recreational Tramways — Applicability of Other Chapters; Jurisdiction of Public Utilities Department.
Recreational tramways shall not be subject to the provisions of chapters one hundred and fifty-nine, one hundred and sixty, one hundred and sixty-one, and one hundred and sixty-two, and shall not be subject to the jurisdiction or control of the department of telecommunications and energy.
HISTORY: 1968, 565, § 1; 1978, 455, § 4; 1997, 164, § 114.
NOTES: Editorial Note
This section contains the provisions of former § 71O, as renumbered by the 1978 act without amendment, except for 2 minor corrective changes.
The 1997 amendment, effective Nov 25, 1997, substituted “telecommunications and energy” for “public utilities”. Section 1 of the amending act provides as follows:
Section 1. It is hereby found and declared that:
(a) electricity service is essential to the health and well-being of all residents of the commonwealth, to public safety, and to orderly and sustainable economic development;
(b) affordable electric service should he available to all consumers on reasonable terms and conditions;
(c) ratepayers and the commonwealth will be best served by moving from (i) the regulatory framework extant on July 1, 1997, in which retail electricity service is provided principally by public utility corporations obligated to provide ultimate consumers in exclusive service territories with reliable electric service at regulated rates, to (ii) a framework under which competitive producers will supply electric power and customers will gain the right to choose their electric power supplier;
(d) the existing regulatory system results in among the highest, residential and commercial electricity rates paid by customers throughout the United States;
(e) such extraordinary high electricity rates have created significant adverse effects on consumers and on the ability of businesses located in the commonwealth to compete in regional, national, and international markets;
(f) the introduction of competition in the electric generation market will encourage innovation, efficiency, and improved service from all market participants, and will enable reductions in the cost of regulatory oversight;
(g) competitive markets in generation should (i) provide electricity suppliers with the incentive to operate efficiently, (ii) open markets for new and improved technologies, (iii) provide electricity buyers and sellers with appropriate price signals, and (iv) improve public confidence in the electric utility industry;
(h) since reliable electric service is of utmost importance to the safety, health, and welfare of the commonwealth’s citizens and economy, electric industry restructuring should enhance the reliability of the interconnected regional transmission systems, and provide strong coordination and enforceable protocols for all users of the power grid;
(i) it is vital that sufficient supplies of electric generation will be available to maintain the reliable service to the citizens and businesses of the commonwealth; and that.
(j) the commonwealth should ensure that universal service are energy conservation policies, activities, and services are appropriately funded and available throughout the commonwealth, and should guard against the exercise of vertical market power and the accumulation of horizontal market power;
(k) long-term rate reductions can be achieved most effectively by increasing competition and enabling broad consumer choice in generation service, thereby allowing market forces to play the principal role in determining the suppliers of generation for all customers;
(l) the primary elements of a more competitive electricity market will be customer choice, preservation and augmentation of consumer protections, full and fair competition in generation, and enhanced environmental protection goals;
(m) the interests of consumers can best be served by an expedient and orderly transition from regulation to competition in the generation sector consisting of the unbundling of prices and services and the functional separation of generation services from transmission and distribution services;
(n) the restructuring of the existing electricity system should not undermine the policy of the commonwealth that electricity bills for low income residents should remain as affordable as possible;
(o) the commonwealth should enter into a compact with the other New England states and New York State, that provides incentives for the public and investor owned electricity utilities located in such states to sell energy to retail customers in Massachusetts which adheres to enforceable standards and protocols and protects the reliability of interconnected regional transmission and distribution systems;
(p) since reliable electricity service depends on conscientious inspection and maintenance of transmission and distribution systems, to continue and enhance the reliability of the delivery of electricity, the regional network and the commonwealth, the department of telecommunications and energy should set stringent and comprehensive inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, and system service standards;
(q) the transition to expanded customer choice and competitive markets may produce hardships for employees whose working lives were dedicated to their employment;
(r) it is preferable that possible reductions in the workforce directly caused by electricity restructuring be accomplished through collective bargaining negotiations and offers of voluntary severance, retraining, early retirement, outplacement, and related benefits;
(s) the transition to a competitive generation market should be orderly and be completed as expeditiously as possible, should protect electric system reliability, and should provide electricity corporation investors with a reasonable opportunity to recover prudently incurred costs associated with generation-related assets and obligations, within a reasonable and fair deregulation framework consistent with the provisions of this act;
(t) the recovery of such prudently incurred costs shall occur only after such electric companies take all practicable measures to mitigate stranded investments during the transition to a competitive market;
(u) such charges associated with the transition should be collected over a specific period of time on a non-bypassable basis and in a manner that does not result in an increase in rates to customers of electricity corporations;
(v) financial mechanisms should be available that allow electricity corporations to securitize that portion of their transition costs which cannot be divested in the marketplace and which concurrently minimize transition charges to consumers;
the initial benefit of this transition to a competitive market shall result in consumer electricity rate reductions of at least 10 per cent beginning on March 1, 1998, as part of an aggregate rate reduction totaling at least 15 per cent upon the subsequent approval of divestiture and securitization; and.
(x) the general court seeks, through the enactment of this legislation, to establish the parameters upon which a restructuring of the electricity industry shall be based and which reflects the public policy decisions for the commonwealth designed to balance the needs of all participants in the existing and future systems;
Therefore, it is found that it is in the public interest of the commonwealth to promote the property and general welfare of its citizens, a public purpose for which public money may be expended, by restructuring the electricity industry in the commonwealth to foster competition and promote reduced electricity rates through the enactment of the following statutory changes.
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Ski safety signs for downhill and cross-country skiing, 526 CMR 8.01 et seq.
Law Review References
Connecticut Ski Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Connecticut, Ski Area | Tags: Connecticut, Connecticut Ski Safety Act, ski area, Ski lift, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Skier, skiing, Snowboarder Leave a commentConnecticut Skier Safety Act
Sec. 29-201. (Formerly Sec. 19-418a). Definitions. 1
Sec. 29-202. (Formerly Sec. 19-418b). Requirements for passenger tramways in use. 3
Sec. 29-203. (Formerly Sec. 19-418c). Regulations, standards. 4
Sec. 29-204. (Formerly Sec. 19-418d). Plans and specifications, submission, fee. Approval. Final inspection. 4
Sec. 29-205. (Formerly Sec. 19-418e). Registration of each passenger tramway required. 5
Sec. 29-206. (Formerly Sec. 19-418f). Operating certificate, inspections, fees. 5
Sec. 29-207. (Formerly Sec. 19-418g). Order to discontinue operation. Permission for resumption. 6
Sec. 29-208. (Formerly Sec. 19-418h). Complaints. 6
Sec. 29-209. (Formerly Sec. 19-418i). Judicial review of commissioner’s decisions. 7
Sec. 29-210. (Formerly Sec. 19-418j). Penalties. 7
Sec. 29-211. (Formerly Sec. 19-418k). Duties of operator of passenger tramway or ski area. 8
Sec. 29-212. (Formerly Sec. 19-418l). Assumption of risk of injury caused by hazards inherent in the sport of skiing. 10
Sec. 29-213. (Formerly Sec. 19-418m). Prohibited conduct by skiers. 18
Sec. 29-214. (Formerly Sec. 19-418n). Special defense to civil action against operator by skier. (Repealed) 19
Secs. 29-215 to 29-220. [Reserved] 19
Title 29 Public Safety and State Police
Chapter 538a Passenger Tramways
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-201 (2014)
Sec. 29-201. (Formerly Sec. 19-418a). Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) “Passenger tramway” means a device used to transport passengers in cars on tracks or suspended in the air, or uphill on skis, by the use of steel cables, chains or belts or by ropes, and usually supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans, but shall not include any such device not available for public use and not subject to a fee for use of same. The term “passenger tramway” includes the following: (A) Two-car aerial passenger tramways, which are devices used to transport passengers in two open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices; (B) multicar aerial passenger tramways, which are devices used to transport passengers in several open or enclosed cars attached to, and suspended from, a moving wire rope, or attached to a moving wire rope and supported on a standing wire rope, or similar devices; (C) skimobiles, which are devices in which a passenger car running on steel or wooden tracks is attached to and pulled by a steel cable, or similar devices; (D) chair lifts, which are devices which carry passengers on chairs suspended in the air and attached to a moving cable, chain or link belt supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans, or similar devices; (E) J bars, T bars, platter pulls and similar types of devices, which are means of transportation that pull skiers riding on skis by means of an attachment to a main overhead cable supported by trestles or towers with one or more spans; and (F) rope tows, which are devices that pull the skiers riding on skis as the skier grasps the rope manually, or similar devices.
(2) “Operator” means a person who owns or controls the operation of a passenger tramway or ski area. An operator of a passenger tramway shall be deemed not to be operating a common carrier.
(3) “Department” means the Department of Administrative Services.
(4) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Administrative Services.
(5) “Skier” includes the following: (A) A person utilizing the ski area under control of the operator for the purpose of skiing, whether or not he or she is utilizing a passenger tramway; and (B) a person utilizing the passenger tramway whether or not such person is a skier, including riders on a passenger tramway operating during the nonskiing season.
(6) “Restraint device” means a restraining bar on a passenger tramway, as defined in subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of this section, that does not yield to forward pressure by a skier.
Sec. 19-418c transferred to Sec. 29-203 in 1983.
Sec. 29-204. (Formerly Sec. 19-418d). Plans and specifications, submission, fee. Approval. Final inspection.
No new passenger tramway shall be erected or installed and no passenger tramway shall be relocated or altered until detailed plans and specifications of the proposed construction or other work have been submitted in duplicate to the department for approval. A fee of two hundred dollars payable to the Department of Administrative Services shall accompany each such proposal. Notice that such plans are approved or disapproved shall be given within a reasonable time, and final inspection of the passenger tramway, when installed, relocated or altered, shall be made before final approval for operating is given by the department.
Sec. 29-206. (Formerly Sec. 19-418f). Operating certificate, inspections, fees.
The department shall enforce the regulations adopted pursuant to section 29-203, and shall inspect the construction, operation and maintenance of passenger tramways to determine whether such regulations have been complied with by the operators. Each passenger tramway shall be thoroughly inspected by a qualified inspector approved by the department at least once every twelve months. More frequent inspections of any passenger tramway may be made if the condition thereof indicates that additional inspections are necessary or desirable. As soon as the department inspects and approves any passenger tramway as being fit for operation, it shall issue to the operator, upon receipt of a fee of two hundred dollars, a certificate of operation with such conditions and limitations as the commissioner shall prescribe. Such certificate shall be valid for twelve months and shall be renewed yearly, if the department approves the passenger tramway, upon payment of a renewal fee of one hundred dollars. No passenger tramway may be operated without such operating certificate.
Sec. 29-207. (Formerly Sec. 19-418g). Order to discontinue operation. Permission for resumption.
If any passenger tramway is found to be, in the judgment of the department, dangerous to public safety or is being operated without the operating certificate required in section 29-204 or is being operated in violation of any regulation adopted under this chapter, the department may require the operator of such passenger tramway to discontinue its operation forthwith. When a passenger tramway has been placed out of service pursuant to this section, the operator of such tramway shall not again operate such tramway until repairs have been made, an operating certificate has been obtained, or the violation is discontinued and permission given by the commissioner or his authorized agent to resume operation of such tramway.
Sec. 29-208. (Formerly Sec. 19-418h). Complaints.
Any person may make a written complaint to the commissioner setting forth any alleged violation of this chapter or of any regulation promulgated under the authority of this chapter, or setting forth any condition in a passenger tramway which is alleged to endanger the safety of the public.
Sec. 29-209. (Formerly Sec. 19-418i). Judicial review of commissioner’s decisions.
Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the commissioner or department under the provisions of this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district wherein such passenger tramway is situated.
Sec. 29-210. (Formerly Sec. 19-418j). Penalties.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the regulations adopted hereunder shall, for the first offense, be fined not less than twenty-five dollars or more than one hundred dollars, and for each subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
Sec. 29-211. (Formerly Sec. 19-418k). Duties of operator of passenger tramway or ski area.
In the operation of a passenger tramway or ski area, each operator shall have the obligation to perform certain duties including, but not limited to: (1) Conspicuously marking all trail maintenance vehicles and furnishing the vehicles with flashing or rotating lights which shall be operated whenever the vehicles are working or moving within the skiing area; (2) conspicuously marking the entrance to each trail or slope with a symbol, adopted or approved by the National Ski Areas Association, which identifies the relative degree of difficulty of such trail or slope or warns that such trail or slope is closed; (3) ensuring that any lift tower that is located on a trail or slope is padded or otherwise protected; (4) maintaining one or more trail boards, at prominent locations within the ski area, displaying such area’s network of ski trails and slopes, designating each trail or slope in the same manner as provided in subdivision (2) of this section and notifying each skier that the wearing of ski retention straps or other devices used to prevent runaway skis is required by section 29-213, as amended by this act; (5) in the event maintenance personnel or equipment are being employed on any trail or slope during the hours at which such trail or slope is open to the public, conspicuously posting notice thereof at the entrance to such trail or slope; (6) conspicuously marking trail or slope intersections; (7) ensuring that passenger tramways, as defined in subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of section 29-201, as amended by this act, are equipped with restraint devices; (8) at the entrance of a passenger tramway, as defined in subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of section 29-201, as amended by this act, conspicuously posting instructions regarding the proper use of a restraint device on such passenger tramway and notice that the use of a restraint device on such passenger tramway is required by section 29-213, as amended by this act; and (9) ensuring that any hydrant, snow-making equipment and pipes that are located within the borders of a designated slope, trail or area that is approved and open for skiing by the operator and regularly groomed as part of the operator’s normal maintenance activities are padded or marked by portable fencing or a similar device.
Sec. 29-212. (Formerly Sec. 19-418l). Assumption of risk of injury caused by hazards inherent in the sport of skiing.
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) “Skier” includes any person who is using a ski area for the purpose of skiing or who is on the skiable terrain of a ski area as a spectator or otherwise, but does not include (A) any person using a snow tube provided by a ski area operator, and (B) any person who is a spectator while in a designated spectator area during any event;
(2) “Skiing” means sliding downhill or jumping on snow or ice using skis, a snowboard, snow blades, a snowbike, a sit-ski or any other device that is controllable by its edges on snow or ice or is for the purpose of utilizing any skiable terrain, but does not include snow tubing operations provided by a ski area operator; and
(3) “Ski area operator” means a person who owns or controls the operation of a ski area and such person’s agents and employees.
(b) Each skier shall assume the risk of and legal responsibility for any injury to his or her person or property caused by the hazards inherent in the sport of skiing. Such hazards include, but are not limited to: (1) Variations in the terrain of the trail or slope which is marked in accordance with subdivision (2) of section 29-211, as amended by this act, or variations in surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions, except that no skier assumes the risk of variations which are caused by the ski area operator unless such variations are caused by snow making, snow grooming or rescue operations; (2) bare spots which do not require the closing of the trail or slope; (3) conspicuously placed or, if not so placed, conspicuously marked lift towers; (4) trees or other objects not within the confines of the trail or slope; (5) loading, unloading or otherwise using a passenger tramway without prior knowledge of proper loading and unloading procedures or without reading instructions concerning loading and unloading posted at the base of such passenger tramway or without asking for such instructions; and (6) collisions with any other person by any skier while skiing, except that collisions with on-duty employees of the ski area operator who are skiing and are within the scope of their employment at the time of the collision shall not be a hazard inherent in the sport of skiing.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply in any case in which it is determined that a claimant’s injury was not caused by a hazard inherent in the sport of skiing.
Sec. 29-213. (Formerly Sec. 19-418m). Prohibited conduct by skiers.
No skier shall: (1) Intentionally drop, throw or expel any object from a passenger tramway; (2) do any act which shall interfere with the running or operation of a passenger tramway; (3) use a passenger tramway without the permission of the operator; (4) place any object in the skiing area or on the uphill track of a passenger tramway which may cause a skier to fall; (5) cross the track of a J bar lift, T bar lift, platter pull or similar device or a rope tow, except at a designated location; (6) depart from the scene of a skiing accident when involved in the accident without leaving personal identification, including name and address, or before notifying the proper authorities and obtaining assistance when such skier knows that any other skier involved in the accident is in need of medical or other assistance; (7) fail to wear retention straps or other devices used to prevent runaway skis; or (8) fail to close the restraint device except when embarking and disembarking the passenger tramway, as defined in subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of section 29-201, as amended by this act.
Sec. 29-214. (Formerly Sec. 19-418n). Special defense to civil action against operator by skier. (Repealed)
Section 29-214 is repealed, effective October 1, 2005.
Colorado Ski Safety Act
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Colorado | Tags: Alpine skiing, Colorado, Outdoors, Recreation, Ski, ski area, Ski Resort, Ski Safety Act, Skier, Snowboarder, Sports Leave a commentARTICLE 44
SKI SAFETY AND LIABILITY
33-44-102. Legislative declaration. 1
33-44-104. Negligence – civil actions. 3
33-44-105. Duties of passengers. 3
33-44-106. Duties of operators – signs. 4
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators – signs and notices required for skiers’ information. 5
33-44-108. Ski area operators – additional duties. 7
33-44-109. Duties of skiers – penalties. 8
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain. 9
33-44-111. Statute of limitation. 9
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing. 10
33-44-113. Limitation of liability. 10
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute. 10
33-44-101. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Ski Safety Act of 1979”.
33-44-102. Legislative declaration.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that it is in the interest of the state of Colorado to establish reasonable safety standards for the operation of ski areas and for the skiers using them. Realizing the dangers that inhere in the sport of skiing, regardless of any and all reasonable safety measures which can be employed, the purpose of this article is to supplement the passenger tramway safety provisions of part 7 of article 5 of title 25, C.R.S.; to further define the legal responsibilities of ski area operators and their agents and employees; to define the responsibilities of skiers using such ski areas; and to define the rights and liabilities existing between the skier and the ski area operator and between skiers.
33-44-103. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Base area lift” means any passenger tramway which skiers ordinarily use without first using some other passenger tramway.
(2) “Competitor” means a skier actually engaged in competition, a special event, or training or practicing for competition or a special event on any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator.
(3) “Conditions of ordinary visibility” means daylight and, where applicable, nighttime in nonprecipitating weather.
(3.1) “Extreme terrain” means any place within the ski area boundary that contains cliffs with a minimum twenty-foot rise over a fifteen-foot run, and slopes with a minimum fifty-degree average pitch over a one-hundred-foot run.
(3.3) “Freestyle terrain” includes, but is not limited to, terrain parks and terrain park features such as jumps, rails, fun boxes, and all other constructed and natural features, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and freestyle-bump terrain.
(3.5) “Inherent dangers and risks of skiing” means those dangers or conditions that are part of the sport of skiing, including changing weather conditions; snow conditions as they exist or may change, such as ice, hard pack, powder, packed powder, wind pack, corn, crust, slush, cut-up snow, and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions such as bare spots, forest growth, rocks, stumps, streambeds, cliffs, extreme terrain, and trees, or other natural objects, and collisions with such natural objects; impact with lift towers, signs, posts, fences or enclosures, hydrants, water pipes, or other man-made structures and their components; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads, freestyle terrain, jumps, and catwalks or other terrain modifications; collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities. The term “inherent dangers and risks of skiing” does not include the negligence of a ski area operator as set forth in section 33-44-104 (2). Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the liability of the ski area operator for injury caused by the use or operation of ski lifts.
(4) “Passenger” means any person who is lawfully using any passenger tramway.
(5) “Passenger tramway” means a device as defined in section 25-5-702 (4), C.R.S.
(6) “Ski area” means all ski slopes or trails and all other places within the ski area boundary, marked in accordance with section 33-44-107 (6), under the control of a ski area operator and administered as a single enterprise within this state.
(7) “Ski area operator” means an “area operator” as defined in section 25-5-702 (1), C.R.S., and any person, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity having operational responsibility for any ski areas, including an agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof.
(8) “Skier” means any person using a ski area for the purpose of skiing, which includes, without limitation, sliding downhill or jumping on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a snowbike, a snowboard, or any other device; or for the purpose of using any of the facilities of the ski area, including but not limited to ski slopes and trails.
(9) “Ski slopes or trails” means all ski slopes or trails and adjoining skiable terrain, including all their edges and features, and those areas designated by the ski area operator to be used by skiers for any of the purposes enumerated in subsection (8) of this section. Such designation shall be set forth on trail maps, if provided, and designated by signs indicating to the skiing public the intent that such areas be used by skiers for the purpose of skiing. Nothing in this subsection (9) or in subsection (8) of this section, however, shall imply that ski slopes or trails may not be restricted for use by persons using skis only or for use by persons using any other device described in subsection (8) of this section.
33-44-104. Negligence – civil actions.
(1) A violation of any requirement of this article shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of the person violating such requirement.
(2) A violation by a ski area operator of any requirement of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the passenger tramway safety board pursuant to section 25-5-704 (1) (a), C.R.S., shall, to the extent such violation causes injury to any person or damage to property, constitute negligence on the part of such operator.
(3) All rules adopted or amended by the passenger tramway safety board on or after July 1, 1979, shall be subject to sections 24-4-103 (8) (c) and (8) (d) and 24-34-104 (9) (b) (II), C.R.S.
33-44-105. Duties of passengers.
(1) No passenger shall board a passenger tramway if he does not have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to negotiate or use such facility safely or until such passenger has asked for and received information sufficient to enable him to use the equipment safely. A passenger is required to follow any written or verbal instructions that are given to him regarding the use of the passenger tramway.
(2) No passenger shall:
(a) Embark upon or disembark from a passenger tramway except at a designated area except in the event of a stoppage of the passenger tramway (and then only under the supervision of the operator) or unless reasonably necessary in the event of an emergency to prevent injury to the passenger or others;
(b) Throw or expel any object from any passenger tramway while riding on such device, except as permitted by the operator;
(c) Act, while riding on a passenger tramway, in any manner that may interfere with proper or safe operation of such passenger tramway;
(d) Engage in any type of conduct that may contribute to or cause injury to any person;
(e) Place in an uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, rope tow, or any other surface lift any object that could cause another skier to fall;
(f) Embark upon a passenger tramway marked as closed;
(g) Disobey any instructions posted in accordance with this article or any verbal instructions by the ski area operator regarding the proper or safe use of a passenger tramway unless such verbal instructions are contrary to this article or the rules promulgated under it, or contrary to posted instructions.
33-44-106. Duties of operators – signs.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign system with concise, simple, and pertinent information for the protection and instruction of passengers. Signs shall be prominently placed on each passenger tramway readable in conditions of ordinary visibility and, where applicable, adequately lighted for nighttime passengers. Signs shall be posted as follows:
(a) At or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, regardless of the type, advising that any person not familiar with the operation of the device shall ask the operator of the device for assistance and instruction;
(b) At the interior of each two-car and multicar passenger tramway, showing:
(I) The maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(II) Instructions for procedures in emergencies;
(c) In a conspicuous place at each loading area of two-car and multicar passenger tramways, stating the maximum capacity in pounds of the car and the maximum number of passengers allowed;
(d) At all chair lifts, stating the following:
(I) “Prepare to Unload”, which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of the unloading area;
(II) “Keep Ski Tips Up”, which shall be located ahead of any point where the skis may come in contact with a platform or the snow surface;
(III) “Unload Here”, which shall be located at the point designated for unloading;
(IV) “Safety Gate”, which shall be located where applicable;
(V) “Remove Pole Straps from Wrists”, which shall be located prominently at each loading area;
(VI) “Check for Loose Clothing and Equipment”, which shall be located before the “Prepare to Unload” sign;
(e) At all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, stating the following:
(I) “Remove Pole Straps from Wrists”, which shall be placed at or near the loading area;
(II) “Stay in Tracks”, “Unload Here”, and “Safety Gate”, which shall be located where applicable;
(III) “Prepare to Unload”, which shall be located not less than fifty feet ahead of each unloading area;
(f) Near the boarding area of all J-bars, T-bars, platter pulls, rope tows, and any other surface lift, advising passengers to check to be certain that clothing, scarves, and hair will not become entangled with the lift;
(g) At or near the boarding area of all lifts, regarding the requirements of section 33-44-109 (6).
(2) Other signs not specified by subsection (1) of this section may be posted at the discretion of the ski area operator.
(3) The ski area operator, before opening the passenger tramway to the public each day, shall inspect such passenger tramway for the presence and visibility of the signs required by subsection (1) of this section.
(4) The extent of the responsibility of the ski area operator under this section shall be to post and maintain such signs as are required by subsection (1) of this section in such condition that they may be viewed during conditions of ordinary visibility. Evidence that signs required by subsection (1) of this section were present, visible, and readable where required at the beginning of the passenger tramway operation on any given day raises a presumption that all passengers using said devices have seen and understood said signs.
33-44-107. Duties of ski area operators – signs and notices required for skiers’ information.
(1) Each ski area operator shall maintain a sign and marking system as set forth in this section in addition to that required by section 33-44-106. All signs required by this section shall be maintained so as to be readable and recognizable under conditions of ordinary visibility.
(2) A sign shall be placed in such a position as to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift depicting and explaining signs and symbols which the skier may encounter at the ski area as follows:
(a) The ski area’s least difficult trails and slopes, designated by a green circle and the word “easiest”;
(b) The ski area’s most difficult trails and slopes, designated by a black diamond and the words “most difficult”;
(c) The ski area’s trails and slopes which have a degree of difficulty that falls between the green circle and the black diamond designation, designated by a blue square and the words “more difficult”;
(d) The ski area’s extreme terrain shall be signed at the commonly used access designated with two black diamonds containing the letters “E” in one and “X” in the other in white and the words “extreme terrain”. The ski area’s specified freestyle terrain areas shall be designated with an orange oval.
(e) Closed trails or slopes, designated by an octagonal-shaped sign with a red border around a white interior containing a black figure in the shape of a skier with a black band running diagonally across the sign from the upper right-hand side to the lower left-hand side and with the word “Closed” printed beneath the emblem.
(3) If applicable, a sign shall be placed at or near the loading point of each passenger tramway, as follows:
“WARNING: This lift services (most difficult) or (most difficult and more difficult) or (more difficult) slopes only.”
(4) If a particular trail or slope or portion of a trail or slope is closed to the public by a ski area operator, such operator shall place a sign notifying the public of that fact at each identified entrance of each portion of the trail or slope involved. Alternatively, such a trail or slope or portion thereof may be closed with ropes or fences.
(5) The ski area operator shall place a sign at or near the beginning of each trail or slope, which sign shall contain the appropriate symbol of the relative degree of difficulty of that particular trail or slope as set forth by subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply to a slope or trail designated “easiest” which to a skier is substantially visible in its entirety under conditions of ordinary visibility prior to his beginning to ski the same.
(6) The ski area operator shall mark its ski area boundaries in a fashion readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility. Where the owner of land adjoining a ski area closes all or part of his land and so advises the ski area operator, such portions of the boundary shall be signed as required by paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of this section. This requirement shall not apply in heavily wooded areas or other nonskiable terrain.
(7) The ski area operator shall mark hydrants, water pipes, and all other man-made structures on slopes and trails which are not readily visible to skiers under conditions of ordinary visibility from a distance of at least one hundred feet and shall adequately and appropriately cover such obstructions with a shock-absorbent material that will lessen injuries. Any type of marker shall be sufficient, including but not limited to wooden poles, flags, or signs, if the marker is visible from a distance of one hundred feet and if the marker itself does not constitute a serious hazard to skiers. Variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design or snowmaking or grooming operations, including but not limited to roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications, are not man-made structures, as that term is used in this article.
(8) (a) Each ski area operator shall post and maintain signs which contain the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8). Such signs shall be placed in a clearly visible location at the ski area where the lift tickets and ski school lessons are sold and in such a position to be recognizable as a sign to skiers proceeding to the uphill loading point of each base area lift. Each sign shall be no smaller than three feet by three feet. Each sign shall be white with black and red letters as specified in this paragraph (a). The words “WARNING” shall appear on the sign in red letters. The warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8) shall appear on the sign in black letters, with each letter to be a minimum of one inch in height.
(b) Every ski lift ticket sold or made available for sale to skiers by any ski area operator shall contain in clearly readable print the warning notice specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8).
(c) The signs described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (8) and the lift tickets described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8) shall contain the following warning notice:
WARNING
Under Colorado law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including: Changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions; bare spots; rocks; stumps; trees; collisions with natural objects, man-made objects, or other skiers; variations in terrain; and the failure of skiers to ski within their own abilities.
33-44-108. Ski area operators – additional duties.
(1) Any motorized snow-grooming vehicle shall be equipped with a light visible at any time the vehicle is moving on or in the vicinity of a ski slope or trail.
(2) Whenever maintenance equipment is being employed to maintain or groom any ski slope or trail while such ski slope or trail is open to the public, the ski area operator shall place or cause to be placed a conspicuous notice to that effect at or near the top of that ski slope or trail. This requirement shall not apply to maintenance equipment transiting to or from a grooming project.
(3) All snowmobiles operated on the ski slopes or trails of a ski area shall be equipped with at least the following: One lighted headlamp, one lighted red tail lamp, a brake system maintained in operable condition, and a fluorescent flag at least forty square inches mounted at least six feet above the bottom of the tracks.
(4) The ski area operator shall have no duty arising out of its status as a ski area operator to any skier skiing beyond the area boundaries marked as required by section 33-44-107 (6).
(5) The ski area operator, upon finding a person skiing in a careless and reckless manner, may revoke that person’s skiing privileges. This subsection (5) shall not be construed to create an affirmative duty on the part of the ski area operator to protect skiers from their own or from another skier’s carelessness or recklessness.
33-44-109. Duties of skiers – penalties.
(1) Each skier solely has the responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate any ski slope or trail and to ski within the limits of such ability. Each skier expressly accepts and assumes the risk of and all legal responsibility for any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing; except that a skier is not precluded under this article from suing another skier for any injury to person or property resulting from such other skier’s acts or omissions. Notwithstanding any provision of law or statute to the contrary, the risk of a skier/skier collision is neither an inherent risk nor a risk assumed by a skier in an action by one skier against another.
(2) Each skier has the duty to maintain control of his speed and course at all times when skiing and to maintain a proper lookout so as to be able to avoid other skiers and objects. However, the primary duty shall be on the person skiing downhill to avoid collision with any person or objects below him.
(3) No skier shall ski on a ski slope or trail that has been posted as “Closed” pursuant to section 33-44-107 (2) (e) and (4).
(4) Each skier shall stay clear of snow-grooming equipment, all vehicles, lift towers, signs, and any other equipment on the ski slopes and trails.
(5) Each skier has the duty to heed all posted information and other warnings and to refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of the skier or others. Each skier shall be presumed to have seen and understood all information posted in accordance with this article near base area lifts, on the passenger tramways, and on such ski slopes or trails as he is skiing. Under conditions of decreased visibility, the duty is on the skier to locate and ascertain the meaning of all signs posted in accordance with sections 33-44-106 and 33-44-107.
(6) Each ski or snowboard used by a skier while skiing shall be equipped with a strap or other device capable of stopping the ski or snowboard should the ski or snowboard become unattached from the skier. This requirement shall not apply to cross country skis.
(7) No skier shall cross the uphill track of a J-bar, T-bar, platter pull, or rope tow except at locations designated by the operator; nor shall a skier place any object in such an uphill track.
(8) Before beginning to ski from a stationary position or before entering a ski slope or trail from the side, the skier shall have the duty of avoiding moving skiers already on the ski slope or trail.
(9) No person shall move uphill on any passenger tramway or use any ski slope or trail while such person’s ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the use of any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug or while such person is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or other drug.
(10) No skier involved in a collision with another skier or person in which an injury results shall leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision; in which event the person so leaving the scene of the collision shall give his or her name and current address as required by this subsection (10) after securing such aid.
(11) No person shall knowingly enter upon public or private lands from an adjoining ski area when such land has been closed by its owner and so posted by the owner or by the ski area operator pursuant to section 33-44-107 (6).
(12) Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (3), (9), (10), or (11) of this section is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars.
33-44-110. Competition and freestyle terrain.
(1) The ski area operator shall, prior to use of any portion of the area made available by the ski area operator, allow each competitor an opportunity to reasonably visually inspect the course, venue, or area.
(2) The competitor shall be held to assume the risk of all course, venue, or area conditions, including, but not limited to, weather and snow conditions; obstacles; course or feature location, construction, or layout; freestyle terrain configuration and conditions; and other courses, layouts, or configurations of the area to be used. No liability shall attach to a ski area operator for injury or death to any competitor caused by course, venue, or area conditions that a visual inspection should have revealed or by collisions with other competitors.
33-44-111. Statute of limitation.
All actions against any ski area operator or its employees brought to recover damages for injury to person or property caused by the maintenance, supervision, or operation of a passenger tramway or a ski area shall be brought within two years after the claim for relief arises and not thereafter.
33-44-112. Limitation on actions for injury resulting from inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
Notwithstanding any judicial decision or any other law or statute to the contrary, including but not limited to sections 13-21-111 and 13-21-111.7, C.R.S., no skier may make any claim against or recover from any ski area operator for injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing.
33-44-113. Limitation of liability.
The total amount of damages which may be recovered from a ski area operator by a skier who uses a ski area for the purpose of skiing or for the purpose of sliding downhill on snow or ice on skis, a toboggan, a sled, a tube, a ski-bob, a snowboard, or any other device and who is injured, excluding those associated with an injury occurring to a passenger while riding on a passenger tramway, shall not exceed one million dollars, present value, including any derivative claim by any other claimant, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, present value, and including any claim attributable to noneconomic loss or injury, as defined in sections 13-21-102.5 (2), C.R.S., whether past damages, future damages, or a combination of both, which shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars. If, upon good cause shown, the court determines that the present value of the amount of lost past earnings and the present value of lost future earnings, or the present value of past medical and other health care costs and the present value of the amount of future medical and other health care costs, or both, when added to the present value of other past damages and the present value of other future damages, would exceed such limitation and that the application of such limitation would be unfair, the court may award damages in excess of the limitation equal to the present value of additional future damages, but only for the loss of such excess future earnings, or such excess future medical and other health care costs, or both. For purposes of this section, “present value” has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (7), C.R.S., and “past damages” has the same meaning as that set forth in section 13-64-202 (6), C.R.S. The existence of the limitations and exceptions thereto provided in this section shall not be disclosed to a jury.
33-44-114. Inconsistent law or statute.
Insofar as any provision of law or statute is inconsistent with the provisions of this article, this article controls.
Skier claims resort liable for boundary rope, in place to prevent collisions, which she collided with…..
Posted: January 23, 2012 Filed under: New Mexico, Ski Area | Tags: New Mexico, Ski Patrol, Ski Safety Act, Summary judgment, Taos Ski Valley, Taos Ski Valley New Mexico, United States, United States Forest Service 1 CommentKidd v. Taos Ski Valley, Inc., 88 F.3d 848; 1996 U.S. App. LEXIS 16060; 34 Fed. R. Serv. 3d (Callaghan) 1440
Black and Yellow line (bumblebee) held up with bamboo poles with orange fluorescent flagging is hard to see
The plaintiff in this case suffered a broken back, ribs, hip and pelvis after hitting a rope used to direct traffic at Taos Ski Valley, Inc (referred to as TSV by the court). The plaintiff was an experienced skier, and the rope had been in place for twelve years.
The plaintiff sued for:
…failing to properly mark, warn and/or correct a dangerous hazard created by the suspension of the rope between two poles; TSV had acted with wanton or gross negligence in maintaining the unmarked rope and she was, accordingly, entitled to punitive damages; TSV breached it contractual obligations under a special use permit with the United States under which she was a third party beneficiary; and TSV’s installation of the rope created an inherently dangerous condition, thereby imposing the duty of highest care on TSV….
Taos moved to dismiss three of the claims with a motion based on a failure to state a claim. That is a motion that argues based on the allegations of the plaintiff’s complaint, there is no legal liability on the part of the defendants. The plaintiff has failed to state a legal claim that the defendant can be held liable for. Two of those claims were dismissed.
The ski area then filed a motion for summary judgment, which dismissed the remaining claims of the plaintiff based on the New Mexico Ski Safety Act, N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 24-15-1, et seq.
So?
The plaintiff appealed the dismissal of her case. The first basis of her appeal was based on the NM Ski Safety Act. The act provides that:
…every ski area operator shall have the following duties with respect to the operation of a skiing area: . . . to warn of or correct particular hazards or dangers known to the operator where feasible to do so….
She argued that the installation of the rope created a hazard which the ski area did not warn her about.
The court agreed with the ski area and held that even if the rope was a hazard, it was not feasible to correct the hazard and thus, under the statute, not a hazard the ski area needed to warn the plaintiff about.
The plaintiff then argued the ski area breached its duty because it did not mark its trails with the appropriate signage.
Section 24-15-7(C) provides:
Every ski operator shall have the following duties with respect to the operation of a skiing area:
* * *
to mark conspicuously the top or entrance to each slope, trail or area with the appropriate symbol for its relative degree of difficulty; and those slopes, trails or areas marked at the top or entrance with the appropriate symbols as established or approved by the national ski area association . . . .
The plaintiff’s expert witness opined that three ropes would be better and easier to see. However, the court found the expert’s opinion to be speculation and not persuasive. (Personally, three ropes create a real barrier. Think skiing into a fence rather than one line.)
The plaintiff’s next argument procedural in nature. Normally, I leave procedural issues out of this reviews, however this one might be good to know. The plaintiff wanted to depose the resort’s Chief Groomer and the Assistant head of the Ski Patrol. The resort filed a motion for a protective order which prevented the plaintiff from deposing these employees.
The appellate court held that since one of the senior employees of the resort was the responsible person, to who both subordinate employees ultimately reported, there was no need to depose the two employees. The Ski Area General Manager testified that he had the ultimate responsibility for marking the resort, which was enough for the court to prevent additional discovery.
The final issue not covered by the New Mexico Ski Safety Act is the plaintiff’s claim that based on the Special Use Permit issued by the US Forest Service to the ski area, she was a third party beneficiary, and permit/contract was breached.
This argument was rejected because the language of the New Mexico Ski Safety Act language indicated that the provisions within the act were to be the only remedy available to injured skiers.
The language of the statute indicates that the legislature intended the Act as the sole remedy for skiers. The Act states that ‘unless a ski operator is in violation of the Ski Safety Act, with respect to the skiing area . . ., and the violation is a proximate cause of the injury complained of, no action shall lie against such ski area, operator by any skier [or his representative].
As the sole remedy, the arguments of the plaintiff did not give rise to a claim.
So Now What?
This is a classic “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” situation for a defendant. If you don’t put up the rope, skiers are going to collide, causing injuries. If you do put up the rope, a skier may hit the rope. This is the balance test that a business must do in the US. To quote a sixties TV show turned into a 1980’s movie “In any case, were I to invoke logic, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Recreation Law 