Liability Waivers And The Art Of Skiing

The recent Olympic coverage of ski-cross and slope style events in PyeongChang, combined with a cold snap and snow across B.C. (even in Vancouver), will likely inspire skiers and snowboarders to try some extreme moves of their own on the slopes. However, before launching yourself off a cliff to mimic an Olympian, it might be worth considering the legal context of such extreme sports activities. As most people would concede, and the courts have often noted, skiing and snowboarding are inherently dangerous activities. As a result, ski hill operators and event organizers have gone to great lengths to insulate themselves from liability when you decide to ski off a cliff or snowboard into a snow plow. They do this by means of the release and waiver of liability terms that are the small print on your day ticket. A quick review of recent cases where those liability exclusions came into play will serve as a reminder to be cautious out on the slopes.