2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 167 - Safeguards of persons and property. › 167.33 - Alpine sports.

167.33
Alpine sports.
(1)
Definitions. In this section:
(ac)
“Affiliate" means:
1.
With respect to a partnership, each partner thereof.
2.
With respect to a limited liability company, each member thereof.
3.
With respect to a corporation, each officer, director, principal stockholder, and controlling member thereof.
(ag)
“Alpine sport" means skiing, sledding, biking, or tubing.
(ar)
“Biking" means riding a bicycle within a ski area after purchasing or receiving a ticket, pass, or license from the ski area operator.
(b)
“Competition" means any event authorized by a ski area operator, or by an agent of a ski area operator, that involves a comparison of skills used in one or more alpine sports. “Competition" includes training sessions for such an event.
(dm)
“Freestyle terrain" means an area that includes half-pipes, terrain parks, terrain gardens, freestyle courses, or other terrain features. Freestyle terrain does not include an area groomed with natural and man-made surface variations to aid new skiers in learning to ski or natural or man-made mogul fields.
(e)
“Hazard" means any man-made or natural obstacle or hazard. “Hazard" includes ridges, sharp corners, jumps, bumps, moguls, valleys, dips, cliffs, ravines, and bodies of water.
(f)
“Lift" means any aerial tramway or lift, a surface lift, a tow, or a conveyor used by a ski area operator to transport participants in alpine sports at a ski area.
(g)
“Participant in an alpine sport" means an individual who has a pass or ticket to engage in an alpine sport and who is engaged in an alpine sport or is walking or otherwise traveling within a ski area for purposes of engaging in the sport. “Participant in an alpine sport" also means an individual who is present at a ski area to observe others engaged in an alpine sport or who is a passenger on a lift. “Participant in an alpine sport" includes an individual that is an employee of a ski area operator when he or she is acting outside the scope of his or her employment.
(h)
“Ski area" means trails, terrains, and other outdoor areas that are used by individuals engaged in alpine sports and that is administered as a single enterprise by a ski area operator.
(i)
“Ski area infrastructure" means lifts and any associated components, snowmaking equipment and any associated components, and utility structures, buildings, huts, signs, lift mazes, fences, or other structures located within a ski area.
(j)
“Ski area operator" means a person that owns or is responsible for operating a ski area or its affiliates. “Ski area operator" includes the employees and agents of a ski area operator.
(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.
(L)
“Skiing" means downhill skiing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, ski biking, telemarking, snowshoeing, or snowboarding.
(m)
“Sledding" means sliding down a prepared course on sleds, toboggans, or comparable devices. “Sledding" excludes tubing.
(n)
“Snowmaking equipment" includes pipes, hoses, hydrants, snow guns, fans, wands, pumps, and any other equipment associated with making snow.
(om)
“Terrain features" means man-made features that include boxes, jumps, hits, jibs, rails, rollers, half pipes, picnic tables, logs, and pipes.
(p)
“Tree skiing area" means an area open to skiing, that is not groomed for skiing, and that is forested.
(q)
“Tubing" means sliding down a prepared course on inflatable tubes, minibobs, or comparable devices.
(2)
Conditions and risks of alpine sports. For purposes of this section, conditions and risks consist of all of the following:
(a)
Changes in weather or visibility.
(b)
The presence of surface or subsurface conditions, including any of the following:
1.
Snow, ice, crust, slush, soft spots, holes, grooves, bare spots, mud, loose dirt, cuts, rocks, boulders, water, puddles, creeks, streams, cliffs, drop-offs, or tracks from foot traffic or ski area vehicles.
2.
Forest growth or debris, including stumps, logs, or brush.
(c)
Ridges, sharp corners, bumps, moguls, valleys, rollers, dips, cliffs, ravines, and double fall lines.
(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.
(e)
The risk of injury or death on trails and terrains that fall away or drop off toward hazards.
(f)
The risk of collision with other participants in alpine sports, employees of a ski area operator, or ski area infrastructure.
(g)
Variation in the location, construction, configuration, or steepness of trails or terrains.
(h)
The greater risk of collision, injury, or death in treed areas, in areas where competitions are held, and in areas of freestyle terrain.
(3)
Duties of ski area operators; signage; notice.
(a)
Notice on tickets required. Except as provided in par. (am), each ski area operator shall print on each ticket or season pass that it issues to participants in alpine sports the following warning:
“WARNING: Under Wisconsin law, each participant in an alpine 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 an alpine sport, has a number of duties that must be met while engaging in an alpine 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."
(am)
Exemption. A ski area operator may sell, distribute, and use tickets or season passes printed before March 2, 2016, until its stock of those tickets or passes are exhausted. A ski area operator that sells, distributes, or uses such tickets or passes shall post a notice at each location where the tickets or passes are sold, distributed, or used that informs each recipient of the ticket or pass that he or she is engaging in an alpine sport, as defined in s. 167.33 (1) (ag), and that the definition for snow sport, as used on the ticket or pass, has been amended. The notice shall indicate that a complete copy of s. 167.33 is available for review at the main site where the ski area operator sells tickets.
(b)
Signs required; generally. Each ski area operator shall post and maintain the following signs:
1.
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 alpine sports, and at or near each area open to sledding, biking, 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 an alpine 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 an alpine 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."
2.
A sign that is at least 3 square feet in size at or near each of the sites where tickets to the ski area are sold that contains the words: “Helmets are recommended" or “Consider wearing a helmet."
(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.
(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:
1.
Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2.
Keep off of closed trails and out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in skiing or sledding within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains that are open to skiing or sledding.
5.
Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6.
Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
7.
Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are ahead or who are down the slope.
8.
Not stop at a point that will result in the individual obstructing a trail or not being visible from above.
9.
Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are uphill when starting downhill or when merging onto a trail.
10.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to skiing or sledding.
11.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites."
(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:
1.
Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2.
Keep out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in tubing within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of the terrain that is open to tubing.
5.
Maintain control of the speed and direction of the tube or other device that is being used.
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.
7.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to tubing.
8.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
9.
Yield to other individuals engaged in tubing who are ahead or who are down the slope.
10.
Look uphill and yield to oncoming tubes before leaving the bottom of the hill at the end of a run.
(em)
Signs required; biking areas. In addition to the sign required under par. (b), each ski area operator offering biking 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 biking or at or near an entrance of an area open to biking that is not served by a lift. The sign shall contain the following warning:
“WARNING — DUTIES OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN BIKING: Under Wisconsin law, each individual engaged in biking has a duty to do all of the following:
1.
Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2.
Keep out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in biking within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains, including natural and man-made features, that are open to biking. Where possible, walk the trail or features prior to biking.
5.
Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6.
Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the type of bike or other equipment that may be ridden on a trail or portion of the ski area.
7.
Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
8.
Yield to other individuals engaged in biking who are ahead or who are down the slope.
9.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to biking.
10.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
11.
Look uphill and yield to oncoming bikes before leaving the bottom of the hill at the end of the run or when entering a trail or slope."
(f)
Signs required; trails and terrains. Each ski area operator shall designate the trails that are open for skiing or biking 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:
1.
The word “easier" with an emblem consisting of a green circle.
2.
The words “difficult" or “more difficult" with an emblem consisting of a blue square.
3.
The words “most difficult" with an emblem consisting of a black diamond.
4.
The word “expert" or “extreme" with an emblem consisting of 2 black diamonds.
5.
The words “freestyle terrain" with an emblem consisting of an orange oval.
6.
The words “tree skiing — caution." The sign shall contain the additional statement: “This back country trail is not groomed or patrolled — Never ski here alone."
(g)
Areas of freestyle terrain; signs and barricades required. A ski area operator may designate an area as an area of freestyle terrain. A ski area operator that designates an area of freestyle terrain 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 of freestyle terrain that is at least 3 square feet in size. The sign shall contain emblems consistent with signage recommended by a national ski areas association for use in areas of freestyle terrain. The sign shall contain the words “freestyle terrain."
(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 “freestyle terrain" (marked with an orange oval)."
(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."
(j)
Variation of signs.
1.
In lieu of posting and maintaining each of the separate signs required under par. (b) and par. (d), (e), or (em), 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.
2.
A ski area operator may, in a ski area with fewer than 100 acres in use for an alpine 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 an alpine sport from finding or understanding the contents of the sign.
(4)
Duties of ski area owners; other duties.
(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 alpine 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.
(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 an alpine 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 an alpine 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.
(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.
(b)
Ski area vehicles.
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:
a.
A flashing light on or near the top of the ski area vehicle whenever the ski area vehicle's engine is on.
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.
2.
If any vehicular 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 vehicular 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 or equip the groomer with emergency lights and an audible warning system to warn guests of the approaching groomer.
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.
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.
5.
Any employee of a ski area operating a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle shall possess a valid driver's license.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
(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:
1.
An individual authorized by the department of safety and professional services to make inspections of lifts pursuant to ch. 101.
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:
a.
A degree of engineering from a recognized university.
b.
Experience as an inspector of lifts for an insurance company that has provided liability insurance coverage to any ski area.
(5)
Duties of individuals engaged in alpine sports.
(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:
1.
Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2.
Keep off of closed trails and out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in skiing or sledding within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains that are open to skiing or sledding.
5.
Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6.
Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the number of passengers or on the amount of weight of the sled or other sledding device while it is being ridden.
7.
Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
8.
Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are ahead or who are down the slope.
9.
Not stop at a point that will result in the individual obstructing a trail or not being visible from above.
10.
Yield to other individuals engaged in skiing or sledding who are uphill when starting downhill or merging onto a trail.
11.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to skiing or sledding.
12.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
13.
If involved in a collision with another participant in an alpine sport that results in injury or death, not leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision. A person who leaves the scene of the collision for the purpose of securing aid shall give his or her name and current address after securing the aid.
(b)
Safety rules; tubing. Each individual engaged in tubing at a ski area has a duty to do all of the following:
1.
Obey all posted signs and warnings.
2.
Keep out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in tubing within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of terrain that is open to tubing.
5.
Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6.
Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the number of passengers or on the amount of weight of the tube or other tubing device while it is being ridden.
7.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard a lift serving an area open to tubing.
8.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
9.
Yield to other individuals engaged in tubing who are ahead or who are down the slope.
10.
Look uphill and yield to oncoming tubes before leaving the bottom of the hill at the end of a run.
11.
If involved in a collision with another participant in an alpine sport that results in injury or death, not leave the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision. A person who leaves the scene of the collision for the purpose of securing aid shall give his or her name and current address after securing the aid.
(c)
Safety rules; biking. Each individual engaged in biking at a ski area has a duty to do all the following:
1.
Obey all posted warnings and signs.
2.
Keep out of closed areas.
3.
Know the range of his or her ability and engage in biking within that ability.
4.
Assess the difficulty of the trails and terrains, including natural and man-made features, that are open to biking. Where possible, walk the trail or features prior to biking.
5.
Maintain control of his or her speed and direction.
6.
Comply with any posted limits that are imposed on the type of bike or other equipment that may be ridden on a trail or portion of the ski area.
7.
Be able to stop or avoid other individuals or objects.
8.
Yield to other individuals engaged in biking who are ahead or who are down the slope.
9.
Be able to safely board, ride, and deboard any lift serving an area open to biking.
10.
Board and deboard a lift only at designated sites.
11.
Look uphill and yield to oncoming bikes before leaving the bottom of the hill at the end of the run and upon entering a trail or slope.
12.
If involved in a collision with another participant in an alpine sport that results in injury or death, remain in the vicinity of the collision until he or she gives his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the bike patrol, except to secure aid for a person injured in the collision. A person who leaves the vicinity in order to secure aid shall provide his or her name and current address after securing the aid.
History:  2011 a. 199; 2013 a. 165 s. 115; 2015 a. 168; 2017 a. 364 s. 48; 2021 a. 239.
Codify This: Exculpatory Contracts in Wisconsin Recreational Businesses. Nold. 101 MLR 573 (2017).
The Exculpatory Contract and Public Policy. Anzivino. 102 MLR 747 (2019).