Chapter 12.48
SKIER SAFETY CODE
Sections:
12.48.040 Skier duties--Misdemeanors.
12.48.050 Skier duties--Infractions.
12.48.060 Ski area operators to give notice of skier duties.
12.48.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the skier safety code of Amador County. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.020 Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall be construed to have the following meanings:
"Inherent risks of skiing" means, but is not limited to, those dangers or conditions which are part of the sport of skiing, including, but not limited to, changing weather conditions; variations or steepness of terrain; snow or ice conditions; surface or subsurface conditions, whether man-modified or not; bare spots; creeks; gullies, trees and other natural growth; rocks; stumps; lift towers and other structures and their components; collision with other skiers or objects; and a skier’s failure to ski within the skier’s own ability.
"Injury" means any personal injury, death, or property damage or loss suffered by a skier, ski area operator or ski area.
"Skier" means any person who is within the boundaries of a ski area for the purpose of engaging in the sport of skiing, including but not limited to alpine or nordic skiing, and without regard to the type of skiing device used (such as dual skis, snowboard or any other type of skiing device).
"Ski area" means any area designated and maintained by a ski area operator for the purpose of skiing or for the observance of any skiing activity.
"Ski area operator" means any person, corporation, or association, or their agent, officer, employee or representative, who operates a ski area within Amador County. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.030 Assumption of risk.
Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within a ski area control boundary or who ski outside of a posted area boundary, assume the risks thereof. Skiers shall assume and accept the inherent risks of skiing insofar as the risks are reasonably obvious, foreseeable, or necessary to the activity of skiing. Skiers shall further comply with the duties described in this chapter. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.040 Skier duties--Misdemeanors.
Skiers shall have the following duties at ski areas, violation of any of which shall constitute a misdemeanor, which may be charged as an infraction, at the discretion of the charging authority:
A. When involved in a skiing collision with another skier or skiers which results in bodily injury or death to another person, a skier shall not depart from the scene of the accident without first leaving his or her name, address and residence telephone number with the ski patrol in the ski area where such collision occurred.
B. A skier shall not knowingly ski in an area or on a ski trail which is closed to the public, which closure is marked by signs posted so indicating that the area is closed to skiing.
C. Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated areas, or by the authority of the ski lift operator.
D. No person who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug, shall ski in a ski area. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.050 Skier duties--Infractions.
Skiers shall have the following duties at ski areas, violation of which shall constitute an infraction:
A. No skier shall ski faster than is safe, and it shall be the duty of all skiers to ski in a safe and reasonable manner, under sufficient control to be able to stop or avoid other skiers or objects.
B. Skiers must wear retention straps or other reliable devices to prevent runaway skis or skiing devices.
C. Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.
D. Skiers shall not overtake any other skier except in such a manner as to avoid contact with the overtaken skier, and shall grant the right-of-way to the overtaken skier.
E. Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.
F. A skier shall not stop skiing in such a manner as to obstruct a trail or be hidden from the view of the skiers uphill.
G. Skiers shall not board rope tows, wire rope tows, J-bars, T-bars, ski lifts or other similar devices unless they have sufficient ability to use such devices, and skiers shall follow any written or verbal instructions that are given by the ski area operator or-representative concerning the use of the devices delineated in this section. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.060 Ski area operators to give notice of skier duties.
Ski area operators shall provide posted notice to skiers of the duties imposed pursuant to this chapter in a manner reasonably calculated to inform skiers of those duties. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).
12.48.070 Violation--Penalty.
The following penalties shall be imposed for violations of the provisions of this chapter:
A. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor violation of any of the provisions of Section 12.48.040 of this chapter shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment for each such violation.
B. Any person convicted of an infraction violation of any of the provisions of Section 12.48.050 of this chapter, or any of the provisions of Section 12.48.040 of this chapter prosecuted as an infraction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each such violation. (Ord. 1359 §1(part), 1994).