Ski areas and winter sports

AN ACT Relating to updating terminology related to ski areas and 1
winter sports activities; and amending RCW 79A.40.010, 79A.45.030, 2
and 79A.45.060. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 79A.40.010 and 2014 c 133 s 1 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
Every owner or operator of any recreational device designed and 7
operated for the conveyance of persons which aids in promoting 8
entertainment, pleasure, play, relaxation, or instruction, 9
specifically including devices generally associated with winter 10
sports activities such as aerial tramways, aerial lifts, surface 11
lifts, tows, and conveyors, and similar devices and equipment, shall 12
construct, furnish, maintain, and provide safe and adequate 13
facilities and equipment with which safely and properly to receive 14
and transport all persons offered to and received by the owner or 15
operator of such devices, and to promote the safety of such owner's 16
or operator's patrons, employees and the public. The owner or 17
operator of the devices and equipment covered by this section shall 18
be deemed not to be a common carrier. 19
Z-0539.1
HOUSE BILL 2272
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Hall, Parshley, Leavitt, Reed, Ramel, Zahn,
Bronoske, Kloba, Doglio, and Berg; by request of Parks and Recreation
Commission
Prefiled 01/06/26. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Environment & Energy.
p. 1 HB 2272
Sec. 2. RCW 79A.45.030 and 1989 c 81 s 3 are each amended to 1
read as follows: 2
(1) In addition to the specific requirements of this section, all 3
skiers shall conduct themselves within the limits of their individual 4
ability and shall not act in a manner that may contribute to the 5
injury of themselves or any other person. 6
(2) No person shall: 7
(a) Embark or disembark upon a ski lift except at a designated 8
area; 9
(b) Throw or expel any object from any aerial tramway, ((ski)) 10
aerial lift, ((commercial skimobile)) surface lift, tow, or conveyor , 11
or other similar device while riding on the device;12
(c) Act in any manner while riding on ((a rope tow, wire rope 13
tow, j-bar, t-bar, ski lift )) an aerial tramway, aerial lift, surface 14
lift, tow, or conveyor, or similar device that may interfere with the 15
proper or safe operation of the lift or tow; 16
(d) Wilfully engage in any type of conduct which may injure any 17
person, or place any object in the uphill ski track which may cause 18
another to fall, while traveling uphill on a ski lift; or19
(e) Cross the uphill track of ((a j-bar, t-bar, rope tow, wire 20
rope tow )) an aerial tramway, aerial lift, surface lift, tow, or 21
conveyor, or other similar device except at designated locations.22
(3) Every person shall maintain control of his or her speed and 23
course at all times, and shall stay clear of any snowgrooming 24
equipment, any vehicle, any lift tower, and any other equipment on 25
the mountain. 26
(4) A person shall be the sole judge of his or her ability to 27
negotiate any trail, run, or uphill track and no action shall be 28
maintained against any operator by reason of the condition of the 29
track, trail, or run unless the condition results from the negligence 30
of the operator. 31
(5) Any person who boards ((a rope tow, wire rope tow, j-bar, t-32
bar, ski lift)) an aerial tramway, aerial lift, surface lift, tow, or 33
conveyor, or other similar device shall be presumed to have 34
sufficient abilities to use the device. No liability shall attach to 35
any operator or attendant for failure to instruct the person on the 36
use of the device, but a person shall follow any written or verbal 37
instructions that are given regarding the use. 38
(6) Because of the inherent risks in the sport of skiing all 39
persons using the ski hill shall exercise reasonable care for their 40
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own safety. However, the primary duty shall be on the person skiing 1
downhill to avoid any collision with any person or object below him 2
or her. 3
(7) Any person skiing outside the confines of trails open for 4
skiing or runs open for skiing within the ski area boundary shall be 5
responsible for any injuries or losses resulting from his or her 6
action. 7
(8) Any person on foot or on any type of sliding device shall be 8
responsible for any collision whether the collision is with another 9
person or with an object. 10
(9) A person embarking on ((a)) any tramway, lift, or tow without 11
authority shall be considered to be a trespasser. 12
Sec. 3. RCW 79A.45.060 and 2014 c 133 s 6 are each amended to 13
read as follows: 14
(1) Every operator of an aerial tramway, aerial lift, surface 15
lift, tow, or conveyor, or similar device shall maintain liability 16
insurance of not less than one million dollars per occurrence.17
(2) This section shall not apply to operators of tramways that 18
are not open to the general public and that are operated without 19
charge, except that this section shall apply to operators of tramways 20
that are operated by schools, ski clubs, or similar organizations.21
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