SB 6013
In CommitteeSenate
Ski areas and winter sports
Updating terminology related to ski areas and winter sports activities.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill updates outdated legal language about ski lifts and winter sports equipment to use consistent, modern terms, and clarifies safety responsibilities for both operators and skiers. It also strengthens insurance requirements for commercial ski areas and reaffirms skiers’ legal duties and limitations on liability for operators.
- Updates terminology in state law to replace outdated terms like 'ski lift', 'j-bar', and 'rope tow' with standardized terms including 'aerial tramway', 'aerial lift', 'surface lift', 'tow', and 'conveyor'.
- Clarifies that owners and operators of winter sports conveyance devices (e.g., lifts and tramways) are not considered common carriers, removing certain legal obligations that apply to public transportation providers.
- Strengthens skier responsibilities by updating rules on safe behavior—such as only boarding/exiting lifts at designated areas, not interfering with lift operation, and avoiding unsafe conduct like throwing objects or crossing uphill tracks in unauthorized zones.
- Requires ski area operators to carry liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence for lifts and conveyors open to the public, with an exception for truly private, non-commercial, free-use tramways.
- Reaffirms that skiers assume inherent risks of the sport and must exercise reasonable care for their own safety, with downhill skiers having the primary duty to avoid collisions.
Who is affected
- Ski area operators — Ski area operators must ensure safety standards are met for lifts and conveyors, and maintain liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence.
- Skiers and winter sports participants — Skiers must follow updated safety rules, including where and how to board or exit lifts, and are responsible for their own safety and conduct on the slopes.
- State and local regulatory agencies — State agencies and local governments that regulate or inspect ski areas may rely on updated definitions and safety standards in enforcing regulations.
- Ski clubs and educational organizations — Ski clubs, schools, and similar organizations that operate lifts for non-commercial purposes may still be subject to insurance requirements unless the lifts are strictly private and free to use.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
Standardizing lift terminology (e.g., replacing outdated terms like 'j-bar' and 'rope tow' with 'aerial lift' and 'surface lift') improves regulatory clarity for local inspectors and enforcement agencies, reducing ambiguity in safety inspections and code enforcement.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1Explicitly prohibiting unsafe behaviors—such as boarding/exiting at non-designated areas, interfering with lift operation, or crossing uphill tracks in unauthorized zones—reduces preventable collisions and injuries, especially for novice or inattentive skiers, thereby improving overall slope safety.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a), (2)(c), (2)(e)Reaffirming that skiers assume inherent risks and that downhill skiers bear primary collision-avoidance duty clarifies legal expectations, but also reinforces the legal doctrine that operators are not liable for many accidents—potentially limiting recourse for injured parties, especially where operator negligence may be subtle or hard to prove.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(6), (9)
Potential Concerns (3)
Mandates $1 million per occurrence liability insurance for all commercial ski area lifts, which may increase operating costs for small- to mid-sized ski areas—particularly those in rural or low-traffic areas—potentially forcing some to reduce services or close, especially if they cannot absorb the added insurance expense.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3(1)The insurance exemption for truly private, non-commercial, free-use tramways creates a complex compliance burden for hybrid-use facilities (e.g., ski clubs that offer free access but receive external funding or host events), potentially discouraging volunteer-run or community-based operations from maintaining lifts due to ambiguity in the exemption criteria.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)While the bill clarifies skier responsibilities, it does not increase operator obligations to warn of non-inherent risks (e.g., changing snow conditions, hidden obstacles), potentially leaving recreational skiers—especially novices or visitors—more exposed to injury without recourse, as operators retain broad liability immunity under existing law.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1), (2)(e), (6)
Who Is Most Affected
Small- to mid-sized ski areas (e.g., Alpine Meadows, White Pass before expansion) may face significant cost increases due to the $1M insurance mandate, especially if they operate fewer lifts and have lower revenue. Some may reduce lift hours, delay maintenance, or close if insurance premiums rise sharply.
Recreational skiers and snowboarders benefit from clearer safety rules and standardized lift terminology, reducing confusion and preventing avoidable accidents. However, the强化 liability shield for operators may limit legal recourse if injured due to poorly maintained or inadequately warned hazards.
State and local agencies (e.g., DNR, county fire marshals, public utility districts) gain clearer statutory definitions to enforce safety standards, improving inspection consistency. However, they gain no new enforcement authority or funding to support expanded oversight.
Ski clubs and schools may be exempt only if lifts are truly private and free—meaning many community programs that accept donations or offer scholarships may still be subject to the $1M insurance requirement, potentially forcing them to discontinue lift operations.
Insurance brokers and providers may see increased demand for commercial ski-area policies, but the $1M floor may price out smaller operators, narrowing the market to larger resorts and increasing premiums overall.