Case Title: Dalury v. S-K-I, Ltd.

Citation: 164 Vt 329, 670 A.2d 795

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 1995-09-08T00:00:00Z

Document:
DALURY_V_S-K-I_LTD.94-236; 164 Vt 329; 670 A.2d 795

[Opinion Filed 08-Sep-1995]

[Motion for Reargument Denied 31-Oct-1995]

       NOTICE:  This opinion is subject to motions for reargument under
  V.R.A.P. 40 as well as formal revision before publication in the Vermont
  Reports.  Readers are requested to notify the Reporter of Decisions,
  Vermont Supreme Court, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0801 of
  any errors in order that corrections may be made before this opinion goes
  to press.


                                 No. 94-236


Robert G. Dalury and                              Supreme Court
Karen L. Dalury
                                                  On Appeal from
     v.                                           Rutland Superior Court

S-K-I, Ltd., and                                  November Term, 1994
Killington, Ltd.

David A. Jenkins, J.

       James W. Swift and Beth Robinson of Langrock Sperry & Wool,
  Middlebury, for plaintiffs-appellants

       Allan R. Keyes and John J. Zawistoski of Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.,
  Rutland, for defendants-appellees



PRESENT:  Allen, C.J., Gibson, Dooley, Morse and Johnson, JJ.




       JOHNSON, J.    We reverse the trial court's grant of summary judgment
  for defendants S-K-I, Ltd. and Killington, Ltd. in a case involving an
  injury to a skier at a resort operated by defendants.  We hold that the
  exculpatory agreements which defendants require skiers to sign, releasing
  defendants from all liability resulting from negligence, are void as
  contrary to public policy.  

       While skiing at Killington Ski Area, plaintiff Robert Dalury sustained
  serious injuries when he collided with a metal pole that formed part of the
  control maze for a ski lift line.  Before the season started, Dalury had
  purchased a midweek season pass and signed a form releasing the ski area
  from liability.  The relevant portion reads:

 

        RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND CONDITIONS OF USE

  1.  I accept and understand that Alpine Skiing is a hazardous sport
  with many dangers and risks and that injuries are a common and ordinary
  occurrence of the sport.  As a condition of being permitted to use the ski
  area premises, I freely accept and voluntarily assume the risks of injury
  or property damage and release Killington Ltd., its employees and agents
  from any and all liability for personal injury or property damage resulting
  from negligence, conditions of the premises, operations of the ski area,
  actions or omissions of employees or agents of the ski area or from my
  participation in skiing at the area, accepting myself the full
  responsibility for any and all such damage or injury of any kind which may
  result.

  Plaintiff also signed a photo identification card that contained this
  same language.

       Dalury and his wife filed a complaint against defendants, alleging
  negligent design, construction, and replacement of the maze pole. 
  Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing that the release of
  liability barred the negligence action.  The trial court, without
  specifically addressing plaintiffs' contention that the release was
  contrary to public policy, found that the language of the release clearly
  absolved defendants of liability for their own negligence. 

       The trial court based its decision on Douglass v. Skiing Standards,
  Inc., 142 Vt. 634, 637,