Skiers/Snowboarders Responsibility Code

Know the code! When skiing or snowboarding, you are responsible to know the Skier’s Responsibility Code since safety is the most important thing:

  1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail. Always be visible from above.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  5. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
    1. Read and obey all posted signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
  6. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to safely load, ride, and unload.
  7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  8. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  9. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

The last 3 were added starting in the 2022-2023 season. There used to be 7, but now there are 10.

The mnemonic device we use for the first 7 is “CRAMPPS” and here’s what that stands for:

  • Control
  • Right of way
  • Always Visible
  • Merging
  • Prevent
  • Posted
  • Safely Load, Ride, Unload

Wisconsin laws add the following (WIS STATS 895.525 (3) (4)):

(3) Appreciation of risk. A participant in a recreational activity engaged in on premises owned or leased by a person who offers facilities to the general public for participation in recreational activities accepts the risks inherent in the recreational activity of which the ordinary prudent person is or should be aware. In a negligence action for recovery of damages for death, personal injury or property damage, conduct by a participant who accepts the risks under this subsection is contributory negligence, to which the comparative negligence provisions of s. 895.045 shall apply.
(4) Responsibilities of participants.
(a) A participant in a recreational activity engaged in on premises owned or leased by a person who offers facilities to the general public for participation in recreational activities is responsible to do all of the following:
1. Act within the limits of his or her ability.
2. Heed all warnings regarding participation in the recreational activity.
3. Maintain control of his or her person and the equipment, devices or animals the person is using while participating in the recreational activity.
4. Refrain from acting in any manner that may cause or contribute to the death or injury to himself or herself or to other persons while participating in the recreational activity.
(b) A violation of this subsection constitutes negligence. The comparative negligence provisions of s. 895.045 apply to negligence under this subsection.
(4m) Liability of contact sports participants.
(a) A participant in a recreational activity that includes physical contact between persons in a sport involving amateur teams, including teams in recreational, municipal, high school and college leagues, may be liable for an injury inflicted on another participant during and as part of that sport in a tort action only if the participant who caused the injury acted recklessly or with intent to cause injury.

895.525(4m)(b) (b) Unless the professional league establishes a clear policy with a different standard, a participant in an athletic activity that includes physical contact between persons in a sport involving professional teams in a professional league may be liable for an injury inflicted on another participant during and as part of that sport in a tort action only if the participant who caused the injury acted recklessly or with intent to cause injury.

The rules and laws above will help determine who is at fault when there’s a crash between two people on trails. Remember that the downhill person has the right of way – not the uphill person.

Let’s keep it safe out there so that we all can enjoy the snow!