Court Opinion

ID: 9765511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 04:04:26.700404+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:09.353366
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Reargument
Killington Ltd. and Steven Miller (hereinafter Killington) contend that the above-titled case should be reargued and remanded for development of a full factual record because this Court (1) mistakenly assumed that the “Ski Bum” race series was open to the general public, and (2) overlooked the fact that Killington did not charge either plaintiff or the Killington Ski Club for providing the site and assistance that made the race series possible. According to Killington, a full exploration of these facts is necessary because they are material to the “totality of the circumstances” and “societal expectations” regarding the enforceability of the release.
Two members of the Court would grant the motion for reargument, even though Killington merely restates arguments and facts considered and rejected in the Court’s opinion. In its supplemental brief and at oral argument before we decided this case, Killington argued that the summary judgment record was insufficient for this Court to determine that Dalury v. S-K-I, Ltd., 164 Vt. 329, 670 A.2d 795 (1995), required invalidation of the relevant releases. Killington contended, as it does again here, that it did not invite the general public, by advertisement or otherwise, to participate in the Ski Club’s “Ski Bum” race series. In support of its claim that there are disputed facts as to whether the race was open to the public, Killington recites the same facts that it offered at oral argument. It states that approximately 100 local people organized and promoted the series for fun, and that although Killington provided the site, the employees to lay *146out the course, the equipment, and the ski passes, it did not directly profit from the activity. None of these facts, as represented by Killington, suggest that the “Ski Bum” series was not open to the general public. To the contrary, it is undisputed that the race series was open to any and all members of the general public except for those with significant racing experience. Indeed, the entry form/ advertisement for the series stated that “V.A.R.A., COLLEGIATE & PROFESSIONAL RACÉ COMPETITORS ARE NOT PERMITTED to participate in this race series.”
Moreover, the fact that Killington did not directly profit from the race series is not a material fact regarding the enforceability of the release. As noted, Killington conceded that it provided the site, the employees to lay out the course, the equipment, and the ski passes. One way or another,- the race participants paid to be on Killington’s mountain, which was open for a wide variety of general recreational activities that included the race series. As it stated in its original brief, Killington requires all racers to have a lift ticket or a pass in order to use its lifts. Regardless of whether Killington profited directly from the series, it profited indirectly from having general recreational ski events such as this on its premises. See Restatement (Second) of Torts § 496B, comment g (1965) (those charged with duty of public service may be liable even if compensation is received indirectly or from sources other than plaintiff). Under Dalury, 164 Vt. at 334-35, 670 A.2d at 799, Killington owes a duty to the general public skiing on its premises. In this case, plaintiff alleged that Killington employees negligently laid out the “Ski Bum” race course on Killington property. And as Killington states in its own brief, when plaintiff was racing, he was “skiing at the area,” and he was allegedly injured as the result of “conditions of the premises.”
In short, Killington’s motion for reargument is nothing more than a rehash of arguments and facts considered and rejected in this Court’s opinion. Because Killington has failed to identify facts or points of law overlooked or misapprehended by this Court, its motion for reargument is denied.
Dooley, J., dissenting. This case demonstrates the risk of rushing to judgment and deciding a case here on grounds for which there has been inadequate development below. Dalury v. S-K-I, Ltd. had not been decided when the summary judgment record was placed before the trial court. Indeed, the decision came out only after the initial briefs in this Court.
*147Killington, Ltd. and Steven Miller have moved for reargument on the ground that the facts upon which the majority decision is based are not undisputed and summary judgment is improper on the law announced in the opinion for the Court. Their main argument is with the statement in the opinion that “it is undisputed that the recreational race series in this case was open to the general public.” In their motion for reargument defendants respond “[i]n fact the ‘ski bum’ series was not open to the general public.” They point out that they have consistently stated that there is no support in the record for the fact the opinion found, and the opinion itself even acknowledged this statement. I agree that the parties should have an opportunity to make a factual record on this point.
Beyond the specific factual dispute, defendants argue that the opinion assumed that the relationship of the ski area, and its employee, to the race was such that the release is ineffective. If Killington’s version of the facts is accurate, I fear that all we have accomplished is that a ski area will never again donate use of its terrain to a ski club again. Further factual development would expose whether my fear is warranted.
I cannot accept the majority’s response to Killington’s request. Over and over in its motion, Killington has stated that the ski bum race is not open to the public, and it wants an opportunity to prove that fact. The majority discusses the request essentially by saying that none of the facts support Killington’s claim. The response is circular, denying Killington an opportunity to prove a fact on the basis that it has not already done so. I think it is particularly unfair to deny this proof opportunity when no party knew that the fact was significant when the factual record was initially developed. Moreover, the trial court’s burden to resolve this issue is slight, and if the facts turn out as the majority believes, the litigation will be set back only minimally.
I do not ordinarily vote for reargument of matters resolved by opinions with which I disagreed. I do not war with the now-resolved conclusion that Dalury v. S-K-I, Ltd., 164 Vt. 329, 670 A.2d 795 (1995), now applies to recreational ski races generally open to the public. I do not think, however, that these defendants had a full and fair opportunity to show that even under the law announced by the majority, the release is effective. Accordingly, I dissent from the denial of reargument.
I am authorized to state that Chief Justice Allen joins this dissent.