When you head out for a day of skiing, you’re trusting the ski resort to manage the mountain responsibly. Behind the scenes, resorts work constantly to reduce risk—but it’s important for skiers and riders to understand what the resort does for safety, what hazards are considered inherent to the sport, and where liability may come into play.

Terrain Management
Modern ski areas use terrain management teams to shape and maintain trails, control traffic flow, and adjust openings based on conditions. This includes grooming, assessing snow depth, and keeping high-risk areas closed when necessary. Good terrain management helps prevent collisions, falls, and exposure to unmarked hazards.

Avalanche Control
In avalanche-prone regions, ski patrol uses explosives, ski cutting, and forecasting tools to reduce the risk of slides on in-bounds terrain. Although avalanche control dramatically lowers danger, it cannot eliminate it entirely, especially after heavy snow, wind loading, or rapid temperature changes.

Hazard Marking
Resorts are required to mark many man-made hazards and close off unsafe areas. You’ll typically see fencing, bamboo poles, rope lines, and warning signs at trail merges, cliff areas, or thin-cover zones. Natural hazards, however, like trees, variable snow, or changing terrain are often considered inherent to skiing and may not be marked unless unusually dangerous.

Understanding the Limits of Liability
Skiing carries inherent risks, and state laws often protect resorts from lawsuits related to natural hazards or the general dangers of the sport. But that protection has limits. If the resort fails to follow safety standards such as neglecting required signage, improper lift operation, or inadequate avalanche mitigation. liability may still exist.

If you or a loved one is injured on the mountain, determining whether the resort acted reasonably can be extremely complex. The Brown Law Firm is here to help evaluate your case, explain your rights, and guide you through your legal options.