Possible chairlift incident in Colorado may potentially place Snowbowl in a precarious position.
In the heart of one of the nation's major skiing states, a case of alleged negligence at Vail Ski Resort could potentially reshape the entire ski resort system. The incident, which took place during the 2021-22 ski season, involved a 16-year-old girl named Annie Miller who sustained severe spinal injuries after falling from a chairlift, resulting in paralysis from the waist down [1].
The case against Vail stems from the lifty's slow response to the accident, a factor that could potentially have far-reaching implications. If Vail is found guilty, it could impact how waivers work and even question the safety of chairlift usage for children.
This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred. Last season, another toddler was thrown off a chairlift at Missoula's Snowbowl, striking a tower [2]. The potential lawsuit due to Snowbowl's initial response to the accident has not been mentioned, but the case could potentially have also been classified as negligent, given their poor response. Snowbowl has since implemented changes this season, including additional updates, more effective systems, and a more positive attitude towards patrons.
The Vail case is currently being heard in Colorado's highest court, while the potential outcome of Snowbowl's case remains unclear. It is worth noting that larger resorts may have the resources to weather a lawsuit, but smaller ones, like Snowbowl, might not.
The alarming similarity between the incidents at Crested Butte and Snowbowl has undoubtedly made ski resort owners feel uneasy. If the changes at Snowbowl do not happen, this would be a different type of article. The stakes are high, and the potential outcome could potentially change the entire ski resort system in one of the nation's major skiing states.
[1] Source: [Link to the source if available] [2] Source: [Link to the source if available]
- The potential outcome of the Vail case, which revolves around allegations of negligence in response to an accident that left a teenager paralyzed, could significantly alter the terms of waivers and even question the safety of chairlift usage for children in ski resorts across the nation.
- The ongoing case at Vail Ski Resort, combined with a similar incident at Missoula's Snowbowl last season, has raised concerns about general safety measures in ski resorts, potentially leading to changes in their response systems and attitude towards patrons.
