Skiing and Snowboarding Accidents: What is the Resort’s Liability?

In a study conducted by the Univerisity of Utah Medical Center looking at a span of 5 ski seasons, a total of 794 skiing accidents and 348 snowboarding accidents were treated at their emergency department. That’s 1142 injuries for just one hospital in the state. It’s is apparent why states with thriving skiing and snowboarding industries have legislation created to protect resorts from being sued by every individual who might sustain an injury while skiing or snowboarding. In most situations, ski resorts are not liable for injuries sustained while a person is skiing or snowboarding. Resorts are protected by language that relates to the “inherent risks” of skiing. These risks often include collisions with other skiers, skiing outside of the designated trails, skiing on trails that are beyond the skiers ability and how the trails are groomed and laid out.

As stated in the skiing injury section of our website: “Injuries while skiing can be caused by a number of different factors including ski lift failures, employee and lift operator errors, poor ski slope maintenance, obstructions and obstacles, poorly trained ski instructors, collisions with reckless and out of control skiers or boarders, collisions with snow-cats or snowmobiles, machinery and other mountain equipment, and many other forms of potential skiing related negligence.”

As mentioned above, each state has varying language in its legislation regarding what is considered to be negligence on the part of the resort and proving negligence and liability can be difficult. We have over 30 years of experience navigating Utah legislation to determine liability. “We can help represent people in cases against ski resorts that have committed certain types of negligent or intentional acts, in cases against other skiers, boarders, or individuals who acted negligently or recklessly, and in cases against the manufacturers and/or operators of dangerous mountain equipment including snowmobiles, snow-cats, and machinery if that equipment was defective, dangerous, or operated incorrectly.”

Whether you are a local or are visiting from out of state or out of the county, you will need a Salt Lake City, Utah personal injury attorney to file a claim against a Utah ski resort. Please contact our office for a FREE consultation with our ski injury attorneys.