Vermont’s ski resorts are a cornerstone of winter recreation, drawing visitors from across New England and beyond. While snowmaking equipment plays a critical role in keeping trails open and conditions consistent, it can also introduce serious, and sometimes hidden dangers for skiers and snowboarders. When snowmaking equipment is improperly placed, inadequately marked, or left unpadded, the results can be catastrophic injuries and complex liability claims.
At The Brown Law Firm, we help injured skiers and families understand when an accident is simply part of the sport and when it may be the result of negligence.
The Role of Snowmaking Equipment on Ski Slopes
Modern ski resorts rely heavily on snowmaking systems, especially during early season and low-snow years. These systems include:
- Snow guns and fan guns
- Hydrants and high-pressure hoses
- Pipes, valves, and electrical equipment
- Temporary or fixed mounting structures
While essential, these features often sit close to ski trails or within areas where skiers may lose control, especially during high speeds, low visibility, or icy conditions.
Why Snowmaking Equipment Can Be Dangerous
Unlike trees or natural terrain features, snowmaking equipment is man-made and therefore subject to safety standards. Common hazards include:
- Unpadded snow guns or hydrants
- Poorly marked or camouflaged equipment
- Equipment placed too close to active trails
- Inadequate lighting or visibility during night skiing
- Equipment left exposed after trail changes or grooming
Collisions with snowmaking equipment often result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and wrongful death.
Improper Placement and Padding: A Serious Safety Issue
Ski resorts have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect guests from foreseeable dangers. This includes padding fixed objects near trails and positioning equipment away from high-traffic or high-speed areas.
When resorts fail to do so, injured skiers may have grounds for a personal injury claim even in states like Vermont, where the law recognizes the inherent risks of skiing.
Examples of potentially negligent conduct include:
- Failing to pad snowmaking equipment near beginner or intermediate runs
- Leaving equipment exposed after trail reconfiguration
- Ignoring known accident patterns involving specific hazards
- Using padding that is worn, inadequate, or improperly secured
Vermont Ski Law and Resort Liability
Vermont’s Ski Safety statutes acknowledge that skiing carries inherent risks, such as variations in terrain, weather, and snow conditions. However, inherent risk does not mean zero responsibility for ski resort owners. Resorts may still be liable when injuries are caused by:
- Poorly maintained or unreasonably dangerous equipment
- Hazards that are not obvious or expected by skiers
- Failure to follow industry safety standards
- Inadequate warnings or signage
Snowmaking equipment that blends into the environment or sits unprotected near a trail edge may fall outside what a skier reasonably assumes when purchasing a lift ticket.
When Ski Accidents Turn Into Lawsuits
Serious ski accidents involving snowmaking equipment often lead to litigation because of the severity of injuries and long-term consequences. These cases may involve:
- Extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost income or permanent disability
- Disputes over assumed risk and liability waivers
- Investigations into resort safety policies and maintenance records
Importantly, ski waivers and season pass agreements do not automatically shield resorts from liability. Courts closely examine whether the resort acted reasonably under the circumstances.
What Injured Skiers and Families Should Know
If you or a loved one is injured after colliding with snowmaking equipment on a Vermont ski slope, it’s important to:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Document the scene, if possible
- Preserve ski passes, tickets, and waivers
- Avoid making recorded statements to insurers without legal advice
An experienced Vermont ski accident attorney can evaluate whether the injury was caused by an inherent risk or by preventable negligence.
How The Brown Law Firm Can Help
At The Brown Law Firm, we understand Vermont ski laws, resort operations, and the technical issues involved in snowmaking equipment injury cases. We work to protect the rights of injured skiers while holding negligent parties accountable.
If you’ve been injured on the slopes and believe unsafe snowmaking equipment played a role, our team can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
