167.33(1)(k)
(k) "Ski area vehicle" means a motorized vehicle used in the operation and maintenance of a ski area or used as transportation within a ski area.
167.33(1)(L)
(L) "Skiing" means downhill skiing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, telemarking, snowshoeing, or snowboarding.
167.33(1)(m)
(m) "Sledding" means sliding down a prepared course on sleds, toboggans, ski bikes, or comparable devices. "Sledding" excludes tubing.
167.33(1)(n)
(n) "Snowmaking equipment" includes pipes, hoses, hydrants, snow guns, fans, wands, pumps, and any other equipment associated with making snow.
167.33(1)(o)
(o) "Snow sport" means skiing, sledding, tubing, or freestyling.
167.33(1)(p)
(p) "Tree skiing area" means an area open to skiing, that is not groomed for skiing, and that is forested.
167.33(1)(q)
(q) "Tubing" means sliding down a prepared course on inflatable tubes, minibobs, or comparable devices.
167.33(2)
(2) Conditions and risks of snow sports. For purposes of this section, conditions and risks consist of all of the following:
167.33(2)(b)
(b) The presence of surface or subsurface conditions, including any of the following:
167.33(2)(b)1.
1. Snow, ice, crust, slush, soft spots, holes, grooves, bare spots, cuts, rocks, boulders, or tracks from ski area vehicles.
167.33(2)(b)2.
2. Forest growth or debris, including stumps, logs, or brush.
167.33(2)(c)
(c) Ridges, sharp corners, bumps, moguls, valleys, rollers, dips, cliffs, ravines, and double fall lines.
167.33(2)(d)
(d) Variations in the difficulty of terrain, surface conditions, or subsurface conditions on a single trail or terrain or among trails or terrains that are designated the same level of difficulty at the ski area or at another ski area.
167.33(2)(e)
(e) The risk of injury or death on trails and terrains that fall away or drop off toward hazards.
167.33(2)(f)
(f) The risk of collision with other participants in snow sports, employees of a ski area operator, or ski area infrastructure.
167.33(2)(g)
(g) Variation in the location, construction, configuration, or steepness of trails or terrains.
167.33(2)(h)
(h) The greater risk of collision, injury, or death in treed areas, in areas where competitions are held, and in areas where freestyling is allowed.
167.33(3)
(3) Duties of ski area operators; signage; notice. 167.33(3)(a)(a) Notice on tickets required. Each ski area operator shall print on each ticket or season pass that it issues to participants in snow sports the following warning:
"WARNING: Under Wisconsin law, each participant in a snow sport assumes the risk of injury or death to person or injury to property resulting from the conditions and risks that are considered to be inherent in a snow sport, has a number of duties that must be met while engaging in a snow sport, and is subject to limitations on the ability to recover damages from a ski area operator for injuries or death to a person or to property. A complete copy of this law is available for review at the main site where tickets to this ski area are sold."
167.33(3)(b)
(b)
Signs required; generally. Each ski area operator shall post and maintain a sign that is at least 10 square feet in size at or near each of the sites where tickets to the ski area are sold, at or near each of the entrances or lift loading areas for areas that are open to snow sports, and at or near each area open to sledding or tubing which is not served by a lift. The sign shall contain the following warning:
"WARNING — ASSUMPTION OF RISKS: Under Wisconsin law, each participant in a snow sport is considered to have accepted and to have knowledge of the risk of injury or death to person or injury to property that may result. Under Wisconsin law, each participant in a snow sport has the duty to take the precautions that are necessary to avoid injury or death to person or injury to property. Wisconsin law sets forth certain other limitations on the liability of ski area operators for injuries or death to person or injury to property. A complete copy of this law is available for review at the main site where tickets to this ski area are sold."
167.33(3)(c)
(c)
Copies of law. Each ski area operator shall post and maintain a current copy of all of the provisions of this section at the main site where tickets to the ski area are sold and shall make a copy of it for any individual upon request.
167.33(3)(d)
(d)
Signs required; skiing or sledding areas. In addition to the sign required under
par. (b), each ski area operator shall post and maintain a sign that is at least 10 square feet in size at or near each entrance to a loading area of a lift that serves areas open to skiing or sledding. The sign shall contain the following warning:
"WARNING — DUTIES OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN SKIING OR SLEDDING: Under Wisconsin law, each individual engaged in skiing or sledding has a duty to do all of the following:
167.33(3)(d)3.
3. Know the range of his or her ability and engage in skiing or sledding within that ability.
167.33(3)(d)4.
4. Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains that are open to skiing or sledding.
167.33(3)(d)6.
6. Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
167.33(3)(d)7.
7. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are ahead or who are down the slope.
167.33(3)(d)8.
8. Not stop at a point that will result in the individual obstructing a trail or not being visible from above.
167.33(3)(d)9.
9. Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are uphill when starting downhill or when merging onto a trail.
167.33(3)(d)10.
10. Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to skiing or sledding.
167.33(3)(e)
(e)
Signs required; tubing areas. In addition to the sign required under
par. (b), each ski area operator shall post and maintain a sign that is at least 10 square feet in size at or near each entrance to a loading area of a lift that serves areas open to tubing or at or near an entrance of an area open to tubing that is not served by a lift. The sign shall contain the following warning:
"WARNING — DUTIES OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN TUBING: Under Wisconsin law, each individual engaged in tubing has a duty to do all of the following:
167.33(3)(e)3.
3. Know the range of his or her ability and engage in tubing within that ability.
167.33(3)(e)4.
4. Assess the difficulty of the terrain that is open to tubing.
167.33(3)(e)5.
5. Maintain control of the speed and direction of the tube or other device that is being used.
167.33(3)(e)6.
6. Comply with any posted limits imposed on the number of passengers or on the amount of weight of the tube or other device while it is being ridden.
167.33(3)(e)7.
7. Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to tubing.
167.33(3)(e)9.
9. Yield to other individuals engaged in tubing who are ahead or who are down the slope.
167.33(3)(e)10.
10. Look uphill and yield to oncoming tubes before leaving the bottom of the hill at the end of a run.
167.33(3)(f)
(f)
Signs required; trails and terrains. Each ski area operator shall designate the trails that are open for skiing in its ski area and shall determine the difficulty level of each trail. The ski area operator shall post and maintain a sign at or near the beginning of each trail. The sign shall contain the name of the trail and all of the applicable wording and emblems specified in this paragraph to describe the difficulty level of the trail or terrain. The sign shall be at least 4 square feet in size. Each sign shall contain one or more of the following designations that are applicable:
167.33(3)(f)1.
1. The word "easier" with an emblem consisting of a green circle.
167.33(3)(f)2.
2. The words "difficult" or "more difficult" with an emblem consisting of a blue square.
167.33(3)(f)3.
3. The words "most difficult" with an emblem consisting of a black diamond.
167.33(3)(f)4.
4. The word "expert" or "extreme" with an emblem consisting of 2 black diamonds.
167.33(3)(f)5.
5. The words "freestyling area ahead" with an emblem consisting of an orange oval.
167.33(3)(f)6.
6. The words "tree skiing — caution." The sign shall have an orange background or orange lettering with a black or white background and shall contain the additional statement: "This back country trail is not groomed or patrolled — Never ski here alone."
167.33(3)(g)
(g)
Areas open to freestyling; signs and barricades required. A ski area operator shall designate an area as an area for freestyling if it contains one or more freestyle features. A ski area operator shall construct and maintain a barricade with fencing, roping, or similar means at the entrance to such an area. The opening in the barricade may not be wider than 30 feet. The ski area operator shall post and maintain a sign at or near the entrance of the area that is at least 3 square feet in size and that shows the boundaries of the area open to freestyling. The sign shall contain emblems consisting of a stop sign and orange oval. The sign shall contain all of the following:
167.33(3)(g)2.
2. The words "helmets are recommended" or "consider wearing a helmet."
167.33(3)(h)
(h)
Lifts; signs required. For each lift that is used by individuals engaged in skiing and that does not serve any trail that is described under
par. (f) as "easier," the ski operator shall post and maintain, at or near the loading area for the lift a sign that is at least 10 square feet in size near or at the entrance of the loading area. The sign shall contain the following warning:
"WARNING: This lift does not serve any trails that are "easier" (marked with a green circle emblem). All of the trails served by this lift are "difficult" or "more difficult" (marked with a blue square emblem), "most difficult" (marked with a black diamond emblem), "expert" or "extreme terrain" (marked with an emblem consisting of 2 black diamonds), or "freestyling terrain ahead" (marked with an orange oval)."
167.33(3)(i)
(i)
Ski area vehicles; signs required. A ski area operator shall post and maintain signs on various trails or lift towers throughout the ski area that are at least 4 square feet in size that contain the following statement: "Caution: Ski area vehicles may be in operation at any time."
167.33(3)(j)1.1. In lieu of posting and maintaining each of the separate signs required under
par. (b) and
par. (d) or
(e), a ski area operator may post and maintain a single sign that is at least 12 square feet in size and that contains all of the required warnings.
167.33(3)(j)2.
2. A ski area operator may, in a ski area with fewer than 100 acres in use for a snow sport vary from the specific wording, size, and location requirements for signs specified under this subsection, but any variation may not preclude a reasonably prudent participant in a snow sport from finding or understanding the contents of the sign.
167.33(4)
(4) Duties of ski area owners; other duties. 167.33(4)(a)(a)
Maps. Each ski area operator shall post and maintain a map of the trails and terrains in the ski area that are designated for any snow sport at all of the sites where tickets to the ski area are sold if the ski area has more than 3 trails. The map shall contain the names of each trail or terrain and a description of the level of difficulty for each trail as determined by the ski area operator under
sub. (3) (f). The sign shall be at least 32 square feet in size.
167.33(4)(ag)
(ag)
Markings. Each ski area operator shall mark hydrants, water pipes, and any other man-made structures on a ski area that are not readily visible to participants in a snow sport under conditions of ordinary visibility from a distance of at least 100 feet. A ski area operator may use any type of marker, including a wooden or bamboo pole, flag, or sign if the marker is visible from a distance of 100 feet and if the marker itself does not constitute a serious hazard to participants in a snow sport. Variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking, or grooming operations, including roads, catwalks, or other terrain modifications, are not man-made structures for the purpose of this paragraph.
167.33(4)(ar)
(ar)
Padding policies. A ski area operator shall adopt a written policy determining which man-made ski area infrastructures require protective padding and determining the type, height, thickness, and color of the padding. The policy shall take into consideration factors including the infrastructure's size and location at the ski area and its visibility to the public under conditions of normal visibility.
167.33(4)(b)1.1. Each ski area operator shall ensure that each ski area vehicle that is present on a trail during the hours in which a lift is being operated shall display all of the following:
167.33(4)(b)1.a.
a. A flashing light on or near the top of the ski area vehicle whenever the ski area vehicle's engine is on.
167.33(4)(b)1.b.
b. If the ski area vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, or a similarly sized motorized vehicle, in addition to the flashing light as specified in
subd. 1., a red or orange flag that is at least 40 square inches in size and that is mounted at least 5 feet from the bottom of the tracks or tires.
167.33(4)(b)2.
2. If any grooming operations take place on a ski trail during hours in which a lift is being operated, the ski area operator shall close that trail to the public at the top entrance to the trail until the grooming operations are complete on that trail. If a groomer is traversing part of a ski area that is not part of a ski trail during hours in which a lift is being operated, the ski area operator shall provide an escort for the groomer to warn guests of the approaching groomer.
167.33(4)(b)3.
3. A ski area operator shall have a written policy that specifies the training required for anyone to operate a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle within the ski area, and shall have a written policy addressing recommended routes for snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles to follow when used during the hours in which a lift is being operated.
167.33(4)(b)4.
4. No ski area operator may allow anyone under the age of 18 to operate a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle within the ski area.
167.33(4)(b)5.
5. Any employee of a ski area operating a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle shall possess a valid driver's license.
167.33(4)(b)6.
6. A ski area operator shall prohibit the use of privately owned snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles within the ski area during the hours in which a lift is being operated.
167.33(4)(b)7.
7. The operator of a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle may not operate the vehicle at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable.
167.33(4)(b)8.
8. Whenever possible, the person operating a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle within a ski area during the hours in which a lift is being operated shall give skiers the right-of-way.
167.33(4)(c)
(c)
Lift inspections. Annually, a ski area operator shall have all of the lifts located in its ski area inspected by a qualified lift inspector to determine whether the lift is in compliance with the rules promulgated by the department of safety and professional services.
167.33(4)(d)
(d)
Lift inspectors. In order to be a qualified lift inspector for purposes of
par. (c), an individual shall be either or both of the following:
167.33(4)(d)1.
1. An individual authorized by the department of safety and professional services to make inspections of lifts pursuant to
ch. 101.
167.33(4)(d)2.
2. An individual who has knowledge of the requirements of the rules specified in
par. (c) and of the design and operation of lifts and who has one of the following:
167.33(4)(d)2.b.
b. Experience as an inspector of lifts for an insurance company that has provided liability insurance coverage to any ski area.
167.33(5)
(5) Duties of individuals engaged in snow sports. 167.33(5)(a)(a) Safety rules; skiing and sledding. Each individual engaged in skiing or sledding at a ski area has a duty to do all the following:
