SB388-SSA2,9,63 6. The words "tree skiing — caution." The sign shall have an orange
4background or orange lettering with a black or white background and shall contain
5the additional statement: "This back country trail is not groomed or patrolled —
6Never ski here alone."
SB388-SSA2,9,157 (g) Areas open to freestyling; signs and barricades required. A ski area operator
8shall designate an area as an area for freestyling if it contains one or more freestyle
9features. A ski area operator shall construct and maintain a barricade with fencing,
10roping, or similar means at the entrance to such an area. The opening in the
11barricade may not be wider than 30 feet. The ski area operator shall post and
12maintain a sign at or near the entrance of the area that is at least 3 square feet in
13size and that shows the boundaries of the area open to freestyling. The sign shall
14contain emblems consisting of a stop sign and orange oval. The sign shall contain
15all of the following:
SB388-SSA2,9,1616 1. The words "freestyling skills required."
SB388-SSA2,9,1717 2. The words "helmets are recommended" or "consider wearing a helmet."
SB388-SSA2,9,2218 (h) Lifts; signs required. For each lift that is used by individuals engaged in
19skiing and that does not serve any trail that is described under par. (f) as "easier,"
20the ski operator shall post and maintain, at or near the loading area for the lift a sign
21that is at least 10 square feet in size near or at the entrance of the loading area. The
22sign shall contain the following warning:
SB388-SSA2,9,25 23"WARNING: This lift does not serve any trails that are "easier" (marked with
24a green circle emblem). All of the trails served by this lift are "difficult" or "more
25difficult" (marked with a blue square emblem), "most difficult" (marked with a black

1diamond emblem), "expert" or "extreme terrain" (marked with an emblem consisting
2of 2 black diamonds), or "freestyling terrain ahead" (marked with an orange oval)."
SB388-SSA2,10,63 (i) Ski area vehicles; signs required. A ski area operator shall post and maintain
4signs on various trails or lift towers throughout the ski area that are at least 4 square
5feet in size that contain the following statement: "Caution: Ski area vehicles may
6be in operation at any time."
SB388-SSA2,10,107 (j) Variation of signs. 1. In lieu of posting and maintaining each of the separate
8signs required under par. (b) and par. (d) or (e), a ski area operator may post and
9maintain a single sign that is at least 12 square feet in size and that contains all of
10the required warnings.
SB388-SSA2,10,1511 2. A ski area operator may, in a ski area with fewer than 100 acres in use for
12a snow sport vary from the specific wording, size, and location requirements for signs
13specified under this subsection, but any variation may not preclude a reasonably
14prudent participant in a snow sport from finding or understanding the contents of
15the sign.
SB388-SSA2,10,22 16(4) Duties of ski area owners; other duties. (a) Maps. Each ski area operator
17shall post and maintain a map of the trails and terrains in the ski area that are
18designated for any snow sport at all of the sites where tickets to the ski area are sold
19if the ski area has more than 3 trails. The map shall contain the names of each trail
20or terrain and a description of the level of difficulty for each trail as determined by
21the ski area operator under sub. (3) (f). The sign shall be at least 32 square feet in
22size.
SB388-SSA2,11,723 (ag) Markings. Each ski area operator shall mark hydrants, water pipes, and
24any other man-made structures on a ski area that are not readily visible to
25participants in a snow sport under conditions of ordinary visibility from a distance

1of at least 100 feet. A ski area operator may use any type of marker, including a
2wooden or bamboo pole, flag, or sign if the marker is visible from a distance of 100
3feet and if the marker itself does not constitute a serious hazard to participants in
4a snow sport. Variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of
5slope design, snowmaking, or grooming operations, including roads, catwalks, or
6other terrain modifications, are not man-made structures for the purpose of this
7paragraph.
SB388-SSA2,11,128 (ar) Padding policies. A ski area operator shall adopt a written policy
9determining which man-made ski area infrastructures require protective padding
10and determining the type, height, thickness, and color of the padding. The policy
11shall take into consideration factors including the infrastructure's size and location
12at the ski area and its visibility to the public under conditions of normal visibility.
SB388-SSA2,11,1513 (b) Ski area vehicles. 1. Each ski area operator shall ensure that each ski area
14vehicle that is present on a trail during the hours in which a lift is being operated
15shall display all of the following:
SB388-SSA2,11,1716 a. A flashing light on or near the top of the ski area vehicle whenever the ski
17area vehicle's engine is on.
SB388-SSA2,11,2118 b. If the ski area vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, or a similarly
19sized motorized vehicle, in addition to the flashing light as specified in subd. 1., a red
20or orange flag that is at least 40 square inches in size and that is mounted at least
215 feet from the bottom of the tracks or tires.
SB388-SSA2,12,222 2. If any grooming operations take place on a ski trail during hours in which
23a lift is being operated, the ski area operator shall close that trail to the public at the
24top entrance to the trail until the grooming operations are complete on that trail. If
25a groomer is traversing part of a ski area that is not part of a ski trail during hours

1in which a lift is being operated, the ski area operator shall provide an escort for the
2groomer to warn guests of the approaching groomer.
SB388-SSA2,12,73 3. A ski area operator shall have a written policy that specifies the training
4required for anyone to operate a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle within the ski
5area, and shall have a written policy addressing recommended routes for
6snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles to follow when used during the hours in which
7a lift is being operated.
SB388-SSA2,12,98 4. No ski area operator may allow anyone under the age of 18 to operate a
9snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle within the ski area.
SB388-SSA2,12,1110 5. Any employee of a ski area operating a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle
11shall possess a valid driver's license.
SB388-SSA2,12,1412 6. A ski area operator shall prohibit the use of privately owned snowmobiles
13or all-terrain vehicles within the ski area during the hours in which a lift is being
14operated.
SB388-SSA2,12,1615 7. The operator of a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle may not operate the
16vehicle at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable.
SB388-SSA2,12,1917 8. Whenever possible, the person operating a snowmobile or an all-terrain
18vehicle within a ski area during the hours in which a lift is being operated shall give
19skiers the right-of-way.
SB388-SSA2,12,2320 (c) Lift inspections. Annually, a ski area operator shall have all of the lifts
21located in its ski area inspected by a qualified lift inspector to determine whether the
22lift is in compliance with the rules promulgated by the department of safety and
23professional services.
SB388-SSA2,12,2524 (d) Lift inspectors. In order to be a qualified lift inspector for purposes of par.
25(c), an individual shall be either or both of the following:
SB388-SSA2,13,2
11. An individual authorized by the department of safety and professional
2services to make inspections of lifts pursuant to ch. 101.
SB388-SSA2,13,43 2. An individual who has knowledge of the requirements of the rules specified
4in par. (c) and of the design and operation of lifts and who has one of the following:
SB388-SSA2,13,55 a. A degree of engineering from a recognized university.
SB388-SSA2,13,76 b. Experience as an inspector of lifts for an insurance company that has
7provided liability insurance coverage to any ski area.
SB388-SSA2,13,10 8(5) Duties of individuals engaged in snow sports. (a) Safety rules; skiing and
9sledding.
Each individual engaged in skiing or sledding at a ski area has a duty to
10do all the following:
SB388-SSA2,13,1111 1. Obey all posted warnings and signs.
SB388-SSA2,13,1212 2. Keep off of closed trails and out of closed areas.
SB388-SSA2,13,1413 3. Know the range of his or her ability and engage in skiing or sledding within
14that ability.
SB388-SSA2,13,1615 4. Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains that are open to skiing or
16sledding.
SB388-SSA2,13,1717 5. Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
SB388-SSA2,13,1918 6. Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the number of passengers
19or on the amount of weight of the sled or other sledding device while it is being ridden.
SB388-SSA2,13,2020 7. Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
SB388-SSA2,13,2221 8. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are ahead or who
22are down the slope.
SB388-SSA2,13,2423 9. Not stop at a point that will result in the individual obstructing a trail or not
24being visible from above.
SB388-SSA2,14,2
110. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are uphill when
2starting downhill or merging onto a trail.
SB388-SSA2,14,43 11. Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to
4skiing or sledding.
SB388-SSA2,14,55 12. Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
SB388-SSA2,14,116 13. If involved in a collision with another participant in a snow sport that
7results in injury or death, not leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or
8her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member
9of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the
10collision. A person who leaves the scene of the collision for the purpose of securing
11aid shall give his or her name and current address after securing the aid.
SB388-SSA2,14,1312 (b) Safety rules; tubing. Each individual engaged in tubing at a ski area has
13a duty to do all of the following:
SB388-SSA2,14,1414 1. Obey all posted signs and warnings.
SB388-SSA2,14,1515 2. Keep out of closed areas.
SB388-SSA2,14,1616 3. Know the range of his or her ability and engage in tubing within that ability.
SB388-SSA2,14,1717 4. Assess the difficulty of terrain that is open to tubing.
SB388-SSA2,14,1818 5. Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
SB388-SSA2,14,2019 6. Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the number of passengers
20or on the amount of weight of the tube or other tubing device while it is being ridden.
SB388-SSA2,14,2121 7. Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard a lift serving an area open to tubing.
SB388-SSA2,14,2222 8. Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
SB388-SSA2,14,2423 9. Yield to other individuals engaged in tubing who are ahead or who are down
24the slope.
SB388-SSA2,15,2
110. Look uphill and yield to oncoming tubes before leaving the bottom of the
2hill at the end of a run.
SB388-SSA2,15,83 11. If involved in a collision with another participant in a snow sport that
4results in injury or death, not leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or
5her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member
6of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the
7collision. A person who leaves the scene of the collision for the purpose of securing
8aid shall give his or her name and current address after securing the aid.
SB388-SSA2, s. 6 9Section 6. 895.525 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB388-SSA2,15,2210 895.525 (2) Definition. In this section, "recreational activity" means any
11activity undertaken for the purpose of exercise, relaxation or pleasure, including
12practice or instruction in any such activity. "Recreational activity" does not include
13participating in a snow sport at a ski area, as those terms are defined in s. 167.33,
14but
includes hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, bowling, billiards, picnicking,
15exploring caves, nature study, dancing, bicycling, horseback riding,
16horseshoe-pitching, bird-watching, motorcycling, operating an all-terrain vehicle,
17ballooning, curling, throwing darts, hang gliding, hiking, tobogganing, sledding,
18sleigh riding, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, participation in water sports, weight
19and fitness training, sight-seeing, rock-climbing, cutting or removing wood,
20climbing observation towers, animal training, harvesting the products of nature,
21sport shooting, and participating in a snow sport outside a ski area, as those terms
22are defined in s. 167.33,
and any other sport, game or educational activity.
SB388-SSA2, s. 7 23Section 7. 895.526 of the statutes is created to read:
SB388-SSA2,16,3
1895.526 Participation in a snow sport; restrictions on civil liability,
2assumption of risk.
(1) Definitions. All definitions in s. 167.33 apply to this
3section unless the context otherwise requires.
SB388-SSA2,16,6 4(2) Appreciation of conditions and risk of participation in a snow sport. (a)
5Every participant in a snow sport at a ski area accepts the conditions and risks of the
6snow sport as set forth in s. 167.33 (2).
SB388-SSA2,16,87 (b) Every participant in a snow sport at a ski area is presumed to have seen and
8understood signage provided by the ski area operator pursuant to s. 167.33 (3).
SB388-SSA2,16,139 (c) Every participant in a snow sport at a ski area accepts that failure to wear
10a helmet or wearing a helmet that is improperly sized, fitted, or secured increases
11the risk of injury or death or the risk of a more severe injury. Every participant in
12a snow sport at a ski area accepts that a helmet may not be available for purchase
13or for rent at a ski area.
SB388-SSA2,16,1814 (d) Every participant in a snow sport at a ski area accepts that natural or
15man-made items or obstacles within a ski area, including ski area infrastructure
16and ski area vehicles, may be unpadded or not heavily padded and accepts that there
17may be a higher risk of injury or death or of a more severe injury associated with a
18collision with an item or obstacle that is unpadded or not heavily padded.
SB388-SSA2,16,20 19(3) Responsibilities of a participant in a snow sport. Every participant in a
20snow sport is responsible to do all of the following:
SB388-SSA2,16,2121 (a) Fulfill his or her duties set forth in s. 167.33 (5).
SB388-SSA2,16,2522 (b) Choose whether to wear a helmet while participating in the snow sport. If
23the participant chooses to wear a helmet, he or she has the responsibility to ensure
24the helmet is of the correct size and fit and to ensure that it is properly secured while
25he or she participates in the snow sport.
SB388-SSA2,17,5
1(4) Limits on liability for a ski area operator; release and liability of a
2participant.
(a) A ski operator who fulfills all of his or her duties under s. 167.33 (3)
3and (4) owes no further duty of care to a participant in a snow sport and is not liable
4for an injury or death that occurs as a result of any condition or risk accepted by the
5participant under sub. (2).
SB388-SSA2,17,86 (b) A participant involved in a collision with any other participant or with a
7nonparticipant may be liable for an injury or death that occurs as a result of the
8collision.
SB388-SSA2,17,99 (c) This subsection shall be construed broadly.
SB388-SSA2,17,11 10(5) Effect on related provision. Nothing in this section affects the limitation
11of a property owner's liability under s. 895.52.
Loading...
Loading...