The Hazards of Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding involve various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to, the following:

• boarding, riding and disembarking ski lifts;
• changing weather conditions;
• avalanches;
• exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural objects;
• trees, tree wells, tree stumps and forest deadfall;
• the condition of snow or ice on or beneath the surface;
• variations in the terrain, which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility;
• variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow;
• and variable and difficult conditions, which include:
  • streams, creeks, and exposed holes in the snowpack above streams or creeks; cliffs; crevasses;
  • groomer paths, road banks or cut-banks;
  • collision with lift towers, fences, snow-making equipment, snow grooming equipment, snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures;
  • encounters with domestic and wild animals, including dogs and bears;
  • collision with other persons;
  • loss of balance or control; slips, trips and falls;
  • accidents during snow school lessons; negligent first aid;
  • failure to act safely or within one’s own ability or to stay within designated areas;
  • negligence of other persons, and
  • negligence on the part of the operator and its directors, officers, employees, instructors, agents, representatives, volunteers, independent contractors, subcontractors, sponsors, successors and assigns.