Snowsports Safety - Responsibilty Laws in the NRM Division

By Mike Diedrich

In the last issue we discussed how instructors can maximize our student's learning experience by minimizing the student's fears. Snowsport participants accept the inherent risks in skiing and snowboarding. The instructor's obligation is to help students understand such risks and learn the Responsibility Code. In addition to the Responsibility Code all ski areas located in the NRM Division are covered by laws addressing the responsibilities of the snowsport participant and the ski area operator. The purpose of this article is to review and compare the snowsport safety laws that apply to NRM ski areas.

The Northern Rocky Mountain Division states of Wyoming , Montana , North Dakota and South Dakota have a specific ski laws that balance the safety responsibilities of and risks between skiers and operators of ski areas. These laws provide minimum conduct guidelines for snowsport safety. Such laws may protect ski area operators and ski area employees from personal liability for injuries on the mountain. The following chart shows how the NRM Division states compare:

	Wyoming	Montana	North Dakota	South Dakota
SKIER' S RESPONSIBILITY
Must know ability and ski safely within such ability.		X	X	X
Shall maintain control of speed and course so as to prevent injury to skiers and others.	X Criminal penalty	X	X	X
Shall abide by the responsibility code.		X
Shall heed all posted warnings.			X	X
Shall ski only on designated runs.	X Criminal penalty		X	X
Shall wear ski/snowboard retention devices.			X	X
Shall not place an object in the ski area or uphill track of skier lift that may cause a fall.		X	X
Shall not cross the path of a t-bar, j-bar lift, rope tow or similar device anywhere except at designated crossing point.		X	X
If involved in accident, may not leave the scene without leaving personal identification and notifying authorities if medical or other assistance is necessary.	X Criminal penalty	X		X