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Safety and the law
Ohio Revised Code chapter 4169 is the state’s law about ski areas. This page quotes its sections on risk, the skier’s and the operator’s responsibilities, tubing parks and lift inspection. It is not legal advice.
No snow report here. We don’t know what any hill is doing today, and nothing on this page tells you whether to drive. Hours, lifts, lanes and snow are the operator’s to report: follow the link to its own page first. Why we work this way.
What does Ohio law say about the risk?
“The general assembly recognizes that skiing as a recreational sport is hazardous to skiers regardless of all feasible safety measures that can be taken.”
The same section goes on to list what it calls the inherent risks of skiing. Read the whole of it at Ohio Revised Code 4169.08, Assumption of risk.
Who counts as a skier?
The statute’s definition, which names tubes and sleds: "Skier" means any person who is using the facilities of a ski area, including, but not limited to, the ski slopes and ski trails, for the purpose of skiing, which includes, without limitation, sliding or jumping on snow or ice on skis, a snowboard, sled, tube, snowbike, toboggan, or any other device.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
What are a skier’s duties?
Section 4169.08 says a skier has these responsibilities, among others:
“To know the range of the skier's ability to negotiate any slope or trail or to use any passenger tramway that is associated with a slope or trail, to ski within the limits of the skier's ability, to ski only on designated slopes and trails, to maintain control of speed and course at all times while skiing, to heed all posted warnings, and to not cross the track of a passenger tramway except at a designated area;”
“To refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of another person, to refrain from causing collision with any person or object while skiing, and to not place any object in a ski area that may cause another skier or a passenger to fall;”
“When involved in a skiing accident in which another person is involved who needs medical or other assistance, to obtain assistance for the person, to notify the proper authorities, and to not depart from the scene of the accident without leaving personal identification;”
What does the law ask of someone riding a lift?
The statute’s term for a lift: "Passenger tramway" means a device used to transport passengers uphill
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026) One of the kinds it lists: Conveyor, a flexible moving element, including a belt, that transports passengers on one path and returns underneath the uphill portion.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026) Section 4169.07 makes a passenger responsible for, among other things, learning how to use a passenger tramway safely before the time that the passenger desires to embark upon it
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026) and not using such a tramway unless the passenger has the ability to use it safely without any on-the-spot instruction from the ski area operator
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026).
What about tubing parks?
"Tubing park" means a ski slope designated and maintained for the exclusive use of skiers utilizing tubes to slide to the bottom of the course and serviced by a dedicated passenger tramway.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
Among the operator’s responsibilities: To allow skiers using a tubing park visible access to the course.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026) Among the skier’s: If the skier is utilizing a tubing park, to assume the risk of collision with others on the course.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
What must the ski area do?
The same section lists the operator’s responsibilities. Two of them:
To mark all trail maintenance vehicles and to furnish such vehicles with flashing or rotating lights that shall be in operation whenever the vehicles are working or are moving in the ski area;
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)The signs must be the type that have been approved by the national ski areas association and are in current use by the industry;
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
Who inspects the lifts?
“The division of industrial compliance in the department of commerce shall be responsible for regulating the construction, maintenance, mechanical operation, and inspection of passenger tramways that are associated with ski areas and for registering operators of passenger tramways in this state.”
“The division of industrial compliance in the department of commerce shall require inspection of the construction, maintenance, and mechanical operation of passenger tramways annually or more often as the division may reasonably require.”
Each inspection shall be performed by a qualified inspector of an insurance company authorized to insure passenger tramways in this state.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
The same section sets the edge of that authority: The authority of the division shall not extend to any matter relative to the operation of a ski area other than the construction, maintenance, mechanical operation, and inspection of passenger tramways.
(codes.ohio.gov, read November 11, 2026)
What is the Responsibility Code?
It is published by the National Ski Areas Association. The association says: The latest version of the Code was published in 2022.
(skisafety.us, read November 11, 2026) We don’t reprint it, because the page carries an all-rights-reserved notice. Read it on the association’s own page: Your Responsibility Code.
Boston Mills Brandywine’s guide on the ski patrol: The role of Ski Patrol is to monitor slope safety and assist with first aid if accidents happen on the slopes.
(bmbw.com, read November 11, 2026)
What about helmets?
The National Ski Areas Association: We urge all participants to wear a helmet, but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet.
(skisafety.us, read November 11, 2026) Nearly all ski areas rent helmets to the public.
(skisafety.us, read November 11, 2026) More on the association’s helmet page.
On the lesson pages of the three Vail Resorts hills in Ohio: Helmets are required for all participants in child lessons / programs and are encouraged for all guests.
(bmbw.com, read November 11, 2026) The same sentence is on Alpine Valley’s and Mad River Mountain’s lesson pages, read November 11, 2026.
Snow Trails, on helmets with standard rentals and packages: No, helmets are rented separately from standard Equipment Rentals and Packages. We recommend a Helmet Rental or bringing your own, especially for beginners and children.
(snowtrails.com, read November 11, 2026) Its children’s program lists one: The Children's Program includes a Lift Ticket, Ski or Snowboard Equipment Rental, Helmet Rental, and Instruction/Supervision as well as a mid-session snack.
(snowtrails.com, read November 11, 2026)
And the cold itself?
The National Weather Service: If you or someone you care about must venture outdoors during extreme cold this winter, dress in layers. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
(weather.gov, read November 11, 2026) Once inside again, change into dry clothing immediately if you are wet.
(weather.gov, read November 11, 2026)
Will you sign a waiver?
Snow Trails, for tubing: A Waiver Form is required for all individuals snow tubing at Snow Trails. This waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian for children under 18 years old.
(snowtrails.com, read November 11, 2026)